Latest news with #APXGP
The Hindu
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘F1' beats ‘World War Z' to become Brad Pitt's highest-grossing film, earns $545.6 million globally
Hollywood star Brad Pitt's Formula One-themed drama F1has just set a new box office record for the actor. The Joseph Kosinski-directed film has become the highest-grossing film in Pitt's career. The film has earned $545.6 million at the global box office, overtaking Pitt's 2013 zombie apocalypse film World War Z, which earned $540 million. This is only the second time Pitt has crossed the $500 million threshold in his career, a notable milestone given his selective approach to large-scale franchise films. Some of his other box office hits are Mr and Mrs Smith ($487m), Ocean's Eleven ($450m) and Once Upon a Hollywood ($377m). Interestingly, this milestone comes just days after F1 became Apple Studios' most profitable theatrical film, outperforming the studio's previous releases, including Napoleon ($223 million) and Killers of the Flower Moon ($158 million). The film was made at a reported production budget of $300 million. The film opened in late June with a $146 million global debut and has maintained momentum despite strong summer competition. Its premium screen rollout and strong overseas response, especially in racing-obsessed markets, helped drive box office success. F1 follows a former Formula One driver, Pitt's Sonny Hayes, who is brought back by his former teammate, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), to help turn around the struggling APX GP team. His task is to guide the team's young and outspoken rookie, Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris. The film explores Hayes's return to racing, the pressure of mentorship, and the internal politics of a struggling team.
News18
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Smriti Irani Reveals She Watched Brad Pitt's F1 Twice: ‘If You Love Stories Of The Underdog…'
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi actress Smriti Irani called Brad Pitt starrer 'F1' a must-watch, and recommended the film for those who like to see an unlikely winner. Actress and politician Smriti Irani has heaped praise at cinematographer Deepak Malvankar for his exceptional work. She went on to recommend watching the latest Brad Pitt-starrer F1 and said that it's a great story for anyone who loves an unlikely winner. Smriti took to her Instagram, where she shared two pictures. First featuring her in her 'Tulsi" look from 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" along with Malvankar, who seems to be explaining a scene to the actress. Smriti wrote: 'What you see on screen is an actor at work. What you feel on screen—that's Deepak Malvankar, cinematographer par excellence. The man in the shadows who lights up every frame, dreams in colour, and breathes life into the lifeless. Strange, perhaps, to see a TV show mentioned in the same breath as an international blockbuster. 'But that's the magic of craft—when it's driven by love, scale doesn't matter. Be it a daily soap or Formula 1, passion makes everything cinematic. #behindthescenes." She also shared a proctor of 'F1," directed by Joseph Kosinski. The film stars Pitt as Formula One (F1) racing driver Sonny Hayes, who returns after a 30-year absence to save his former teammate's underdog team, APXGP, from collapse. Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Javier Bardem also star in supporting roles. 'P.S— Must watch F1 if you haven't already ( I did twice ) .. watch if you love stories of the underdog , if you are a has been that never was , if you like to see an unlikely winner , if you can carve victory out of a loss," Smriti concluded. Talking about 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2,' the show also stars Rohit Suchanti, Hiten Tejwani, Gauri Pradhan, Shakti Anand, Kamalika Guha Thakurta, Ketaki Dave, Ankit Bhatia, Barkha Bisht among others. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Brad Pitt 'a natural' with card skills, says Doncaster film coach
A magician who taught Brad Pitt how to perform card tricks for his latest movie role said the actor was an "ace" when it came to one particular plays fictional veteran driver and ex-gambler Sonny Hayes, returning to the grid after a long absence, in F1 The character had to appear to be expert at handling playing cards, a skill Pitt perfected over several months with help from magician Greg Chipman, from Chipman said: "He was a fast learner. He cracked how to cut a deck of cards with one hand in less than a day, a move some people might take a month to master." The movie hit cinema screens across the world on 25 June and centres on a fictional Formula 1 team, Chipman, 32, said: "Brad plays an ex-gambler. So he needed to learn how to handle a deck of cards, because his character would have known how to." Mr Chipman was on set for several months teaching Pitt how to master playing cards, but said nerves had taken their toll on the first said he stood outside Pitt's trailer deciding on what approach to take in meeting the star."I was like, how do I approach him. Do I do this professionally, do I do it casually? "I'm from Doncaster, so do I go 'hey up Brad' - what do I do?"In the end he said he decided on a straightforward approach."I just went in and said nice to meet you. I shook his hand and he was the most down-to-earth guy, really nice."And then every time he saw me he'd say hello and ask how my day had been."However, Mr Chipman said Pitt's skills did occasionally let him down on some of the sleight of hand required by his character."With the one-hand deck cut, he was a natural, but throwing cards across a room into a bin, that took a little longer."He had to be accurate and that took a little after take in fact." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Salaar' duo spotted: Prabhas and Prashanth Neel captured enjoying Brad Pitt's 'F1' at Hyderabad theatre
Picture Credit: X The 'Salaar' duo, Rebel Star Prabhas and Prashanth Neel , were recently spotted enjoying a movie night out in Hyderabad. The two were seen catching a screening of Brad Pitt's 'F1,' the much-talked-about Hollywood sports drama. Fan-clicked pictures of Prabhas and Prashanth Neel at the screening have gone viral on the internet. The images appear to have been taken inside the Prasads Multiplex, where the actor-director pair also posed with the theater staff following the screening. Although neither of them shared official photos on their social media handles. About 'F1' 'F1,' directed by Joseph Kosinski of Top Gun: Maverick fame, is an adrenaline-pumping sports action drama based on the high-octane world of Formula One racing. The film stars Brad Pitt as a retired F1 driver making a comeback, with Damson Idris playing his teammate at a fictional racing team, APXGP. The film also includes Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, and even real-life F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, who also co-produced the movie in collaboration with Formula One's governing body, the FIA. The film has received overwhelmingly positive reviews and is currently playing in theaters globally. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2 & 3 BHK Homes in Keshav Nagar, from ₹ 83 Lacs* Purva Emerald Bay Enquire Now Undo Fans are awaiting 'Salaar: Part 2' Meanwhile, fans have been waiting for the sequel to Prabhas and Prashanth Neel's successful 'Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire,' which was released in December 2023. The Telugu action saga starring Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran was a blockbuster at the box office, minting over Rs 617 crore globally, as per trade analyst Sacnilk. Occupied with other projects The sequel of 'Salaar' is named 'Salaar Part 2: Shouryanga Parvam.' The shooting of the film is expected to resume after a while, as both the actor and director are currently occupied with their other projects. Prabhas is gearing up for the release of 'The Raja Saab,' directed by Maruthi, which will hit the screens on December 5, and has multiple projects, including a movie with Hanu Raghavapudi and 'Spirit' with Sandeep Reddy Vanga, which he expected to shoot first and later focus on other projects. Meanwhile, the 'KGF' director will be working with Jr NTR on the tentatively titled film, 'Dragon.'
The Advertiser
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
'Toe to toe with a giant movie star': Damson Idris on battling Brad Pitt in F1
Damson Idris was trying to tune out the noise, but that's a little difficult at a Formula One race. The British-Nigerian actor was in the zone, in character, filming the high-octane movie F1 with Brad Pitt at some of the world's most famous racetracks. While Idris' profile has been rising in recent years, after six seasons starring in the FX series Snowfall, there's nothing like being next to globally famous Formula One drivers and a Hollywood megastar to put things into perspective. He was pretty sure he was going to coast under the radar. Then he started hearing not just his own name from fans in the crowd but "Franklin Saint," too, the name of his drug kingpin character on Snowfall. "It's funny, because I see myself as a young actor who nobody knows," Idris, 33, said in a recent interview. Anonymity may already be a thing of the past for Idris, though. In May, he made a splash at the Met Gala, arriving in a full racing suit (branded with F1's fictional team name APXGP) and a Swarovski crystal-studded helmet that he and two ushers removed to reveal a second look underneath. The boldness and theatricality of the stunt made it one of the most talked about moments at an event where everyone is trying to stand out. And things have revved up even more since F1 opened in cinemas globally. With a wave of great reviews for the Top Gun: Maverick-style spectacle, filmmaker Joseph Kosinski is pretty sure Idris is going to start hearing people shout "Joshua Pearce" at him too. That's the name of Idris' character, the hotshot rookie driver of the worst team on the circuit who's desperate to prove himself and hang on to one of the coveted seats. "I'm very excited for people to see him own this character and go toe to toe with a giant movie star," Kosinski said. "I think he can do anything. He's just super talented, and I feel like I'm lucky to see him at the beginning of what's going to be a pretty stratospheric launch." Idris tries to seek out projects that challenge him and characters who are as different as possible - from each other and, especially, from him. Joshua Pearce fit the bill in a moment when he was preparing to say goodbye to Franklin Saint. After he read the F1 script, the character even infiltrated his dreams. "I said to myself, 'Man, no one's going to be able to play this part like I will.' I remember writing Joe (Kosinski) a letter and telling him that," Idris said. "When we finally jumped in the cars for the first time, I was hooked. I was like, 'Yep this movie's mine. It's no one else's and I can't wait to give my all to it.' And that's exactly what I did." F1 wouldn't just require playing a part. Both he and Pitt had to learn how to drive the cars at speeds of up to 300 kmh. It took months of training behind the wheel the supervision of stunt drivers Luciano Bacheta and Craig Dolby, as well as physical training to adapt to the G-forces they'd feel in the car. When it came time to film, which they did with special cameras attached to the cars, sometimes they were driving during breaks at real races with hundreds of thousands of spectators around. Every time you see Idris' or Pitt's face in the car, Kosinski said, they're really driving that car. "It's so insane. It's actually quicker in real life and it looks really fast on the screen," Idris said. "In a split second, a decision could be really detrimental. But I couldn't imagine doing this movie any other way. If it was on green screen, you'd be able to tell." There's a bit of art-meets-life symmetry wrapped up in F1, in which an up-and-comer teams up with a veteran. In the film, it's a reluctant pairing of two alphas. The mentorship is fraught, the lessons are hard-earned and the competition is not exactly friendly. Unlike Joshua, Idris is more than willing to get advice from those around him, whether it's producers like Jerry Bruckheimer and Jeremy Kleiner, his director Kosinski, or his co-stars, from Pitt to Javier Bardem. "I speak to them every day and I ask for advice," he said. "The main focus is on stories, playing characters that I can be proud of and range. That's everything I'm setting out to do in this career." Acting was not always the goal for Idris. Like many kids in South London, he once dreamed of being a soccer player. Sure, the idea of being a renowned athlete held some appeal, but he also loved the sheer discipline it required. Then, at age 18, he realised he'd never be as great as Lionel Messi. "When I see him one day, hopefully I'm blessed to meet him, I'm going to tell him that he's the reason why I quit football, because he was so good," he said. "Wonderfully, acting is a subjective industry, so I can at least cheat my way into working with Brad Pitt." Cheating is, of course, a bit of cheeky hyperbole for an actor who studied drama at university and continued training at London's Identity School of Acting afterward. Since he made his stage debut in Ade Solanke's Pandora's Box more than 10 years ago, Idris has been hitting the pavement like the rest of his peers. And he's just getting started. Idris recently wrapped filming the Tomi Adeyemi adaptation Children of Bone and Blood in Cape Town, South Africa. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, Idris plays Prince Inan in the African fantasy that co-stars Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Idris' idol and real-life mentor Idris Elba. "It's not just a namesake," Idris said. "I feel so blessed to be able to say that I'm like his little brother and I can call him and get advice." Next up, Idris will prepare to portray Miles Davis in Bill Pohlad's Miles & Juliette, about the jazz legend's romance with French singer Juliette Gréco. He's also founded a fine jewelry line, named Didris, inspired by his mother, and is getting into producing as well - his production company has a deal with FX Networks and wants to make opportunities for emerging talents. And like his character in F1, Idris is learning to block out the noise. He knows that a film career is a long journey and there will be ups and downs. "It's a huge moment, but I'm fortunate to have so many people in my life that keep me grounded," Idris said. "I've soaked in information from people I admire who say the same thing during these higher moments: Pinch yourself, stay grounded, remember where you came from. "That's exactly how I'm walking through this portal and into these next couple of years. I'm excited, I'm humbled, I am blessed and I can't wait to see what the future brings." AP/AAP Damson Idris was trying to tune out the noise, but that's a little difficult at a Formula One race. The British-Nigerian actor was in the zone, in character, filming the high-octane movie F1 with Brad Pitt at some of the world's most famous racetracks. While Idris' profile has been rising in recent years, after six seasons starring in the FX series Snowfall, there's nothing like being next to globally famous Formula One drivers and a Hollywood megastar to put things into perspective. He was pretty sure he was going to coast under the radar. Then he started hearing not just his own name from fans in the crowd but "Franklin Saint," too, the name of his drug kingpin character on Snowfall. "It's funny, because I see myself as a young actor who nobody knows," Idris, 33, said in a recent interview. Anonymity may already be a thing of the past for Idris, though. In May, he made a splash at the Met Gala, arriving in a full racing suit (branded with F1's fictional team name APXGP) and a Swarovski crystal-studded helmet that he and two ushers removed to reveal a second look underneath. The boldness and theatricality of the stunt made it one of the most talked about moments at an event where everyone is trying to stand out. And things have revved up even more since F1 opened in cinemas globally. With a wave of great reviews for the Top Gun: Maverick-style spectacle, filmmaker Joseph Kosinski is pretty sure Idris is going to start hearing people shout "Joshua Pearce" at him too. That's the name of Idris' character, the hotshot rookie driver of the worst team on the circuit who's desperate to prove himself and hang on to one of the coveted seats. "I'm very excited for people to see him own this character and go toe to toe with a giant movie star," Kosinski said. "I think he can do anything. He's just super talented, and I feel like I'm lucky to see him at the beginning of what's going to be a pretty stratospheric launch." Idris tries to seek out projects that challenge him and characters who are as different as possible - from each other and, especially, from him. Joshua Pearce fit the bill in a moment when he was preparing to say goodbye to Franklin Saint. After he read the F1 script, the character even infiltrated his dreams. "I said to myself, 'Man, no one's going to be able to play this part like I will.' I remember writing Joe (Kosinski) a letter and telling him that," Idris said. "When we finally jumped in the cars for the first time, I was hooked. I was like, 'Yep this movie's mine. It's no one else's and I can't wait to give my all to it.' And that's exactly what I did." F1 wouldn't just require playing a part. Both he and Pitt had to learn how to drive the cars at speeds of up to 300 kmh. It took months of training behind the wheel the supervision of stunt drivers Luciano Bacheta and Craig Dolby, as well as physical training to adapt to the G-forces they'd feel in the car. When it came time to film, which they did with special cameras attached to the cars, sometimes they were driving during breaks at real races with hundreds of thousands of spectators around. Every time you see Idris' or Pitt's face in the car, Kosinski said, they're really driving that car. "It's so insane. It's actually quicker in real life and it looks really fast on the screen," Idris said. "In a split second, a decision could be really detrimental. But I couldn't imagine doing this movie any other way. If it was on green screen, you'd be able to tell." There's a bit of art-meets-life symmetry wrapped up in F1, in which an up-and-comer teams up with a veteran. In the film, it's a reluctant pairing of two alphas. The mentorship is fraught, the lessons are hard-earned and the competition is not exactly friendly. Unlike Joshua, Idris is more than willing to get advice from those around him, whether it's producers like Jerry Bruckheimer and Jeremy Kleiner, his director Kosinski, or his co-stars, from Pitt to Javier Bardem. "I speak to them every day and I ask for advice," he said. "The main focus is on stories, playing characters that I can be proud of and range. That's everything I'm setting out to do in this career." Acting was not always the goal for Idris. Like many kids in South London, he once dreamed of being a soccer player. Sure, the idea of being a renowned athlete held some appeal, but he also loved the sheer discipline it required. Then, at age 18, he realised he'd never be as great as Lionel Messi. "When I see him one day, hopefully I'm blessed to meet him, I'm going to tell him that he's the reason why I quit football, because he was so good," he said. "Wonderfully, acting is a subjective industry, so I can at least cheat my way into working with Brad Pitt." Cheating is, of course, a bit of cheeky hyperbole for an actor who studied drama at university and continued training at London's Identity School of Acting afterward. Since he made his stage debut in Ade Solanke's Pandora's Box more than 10 years ago, Idris has been hitting the pavement like the rest of his peers. And he's just getting started. Idris recently wrapped filming the Tomi Adeyemi adaptation Children of Bone and Blood in Cape Town, South Africa. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, Idris plays Prince Inan in the African fantasy that co-stars Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Idris' idol and real-life mentor Idris Elba. "It's not just a namesake," Idris said. "I feel so blessed to be able to say that I'm like his little brother and I can call him and get advice." Next up, Idris will prepare to portray Miles Davis in Bill Pohlad's Miles & Juliette, about the jazz legend's romance with French singer Juliette Gréco. He's also founded a fine jewelry line, named Didris, inspired by his mother, and is getting into producing as well - his production company has a deal with FX Networks and wants to make opportunities for emerging talents. And like his character in F1, Idris is learning to block out the noise. He knows that a film career is a long journey and there will be ups and downs. "It's a huge moment, but I'm fortunate to have so many people in my life that keep me grounded," Idris said. "I've soaked in information from people I admire who say the same thing during these higher moments: Pinch yourself, stay grounded, remember where you came from. "That's exactly how I'm walking through this portal and into these next couple of years. I'm excited, I'm humbled, I am blessed and I can't wait to see what the future brings." AP/AAP Damson Idris was trying to tune out the noise, but that's a little difficult at a Formula One race. The British-Nigerian actor was in the zone, in character, filming the high-octane movie F1 with Brad Pitt at some of the world's most famous racetracks. While Idris' profile has been rising in recent years, after six seasons starring in the FX series Snowfall, there's nothing like being next to globally famous Formula One drivers and a Hollywood megastar to put things into perspective. He was pretty sure he was going to coast under the radar. Then he started hearing not just his own name from fans in the crowd but "Franklin Saint," too, the name of his drug kingpin character on Snowfall. "It's funny, because I see myself as a young actor who nobody knows," Idris, 33, said in a recent interview. Anonymity may already be a thing of the past for Idris, though. In May, he made a splash at the Met Gala, arriving in a full racing suit (branded with F1's fictional team name APXGP) and a Swarovski crystal-studded helmet that he and two ushers removed to reveal a second look underneath. The boldness and theatricality of the stunt made it one of the most talked about moments at an event where everyone is trying to stand out. And things have revved up even more since F1 opened in cinemas globally. With a wave of great reviews for the Top Gun: Maverick-style spectacle, filmmaker Joseph Kosinski is pretty sure Idris is going to start hearing people shout "Joshua Pearce" at him too. That's the name of Idris' character, the hotshot rookie driver of the worst team on the circuit who's desperate to prove himself and hang on to one of the coveted seats. "I'm very excited for people to see him own this character and go toe to toe with a giant movie star," Kosinski said. "I think he can do anything. He's just super talented, and I feel like I'm lucky to see him at the beginning of what's going to be a pretty stratospheric launch." Idris tries to seek out projects that challenge him and characters who are as different as possible - from each other and, especially, from him. Joshua Pearce fit the bill in a moment when he was preparing to say goodbye to Franklin Saint. After he read the F1 script, the character even infiltrated his dreams. "I said to myself, 'Man, no one's going to be able to play this part like I will.' I remember writing Joe (Kosinski) a letter and telling him that," Idris said. "When we finally jumped in the cars for the first time, I was hooked. I was like, 'Yep this movie's mine. It's no one else's and I can't wait to give my all to it.' And that's exactly what I did." F1 wouldn't just require playing a part. Both he and Pitt had to learn how to drive the cars at speeds of up to 300 kmh. It took months of training behind the wheel the supervision of stunt drivers Luciano Bacheta and Craig Dolby, as well as physical training to adapt to the G-forces they'd feel in the car. When it came time to film, which they did with special cameras attached to the cars, sometimes they were driving during breaks at real races with hundreds of thousands of spectators around. Every time you see Idris' or Pitt's face in the car, Kosinski said, they're really driving that car. "It's so insane. It's actually quicker in real life and it looks really fast on the screen," Idris said. "In a split second, a decision could be really detrimental. But I couldn't imagine doing this movie any other way. If it was on green screen, you'd be able to tell." There's a bit of art-meets-life symmetry wrapped up in F1, in which an up-and-comer teams up with a veteran. In the film, it's a reluctant pairing of two alphas. The mentorship is fraught, the lessons are hard-earned and the competition is not exactly friendly. Unlike Joshua, Idris is more than willing to get advice from those around him, whether it's producers like Jerry Bruckheimer and Jeremy Kleiner, his director Kosinski, or his co-stars, from Pitt to Javier Bardem. "I speak to them every day and I ask for advice," he said. "The main focus is on stories, playing characters that I can be proud of and range. That's everything I'm setting out to do in this career." Acting was not always the goal for Idris. Like many kids in South London, he once dreamed of being a soccer player. Sure, the idea of being a renowned athlete held some appeal, but he also loved the sheer discipline it required. Then, at age 18, he realised he'd never be as great as Lionel Messi. "When I see him one day, hopefully I'm blessed to meet him, I'm going to tell him that he's the reason why I quit football, because he was so good," he said. "Wonderfully, acting is a subjective industry, so I can at least cheat my way into working with Brad Pitt." Cheating is, of course, a bit of cheeky hyperbole for an actor who studied drama at university and continued training at London's Identity School of Acting afterward. Since he made his stage debut in Ade Solanke's Pandora's Box more than 10 years ago, Idris has been hitting the pavement like the rest of his peers. And he's just getting started. Idris recently wrapped filming the Tomi Adeyemi adaptation Children of Bone and Blood in Cape Town, South Africa. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, Idris plays Prince Inan in the African fantasy that co-stars Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Idris' idol and real-life mentor Idris Elba. "It's not just a namesake," Idris said. "I feel so blessed to be able to say that I'm like his little brother and I can call him and get advice." Next up, Idris will prepare to portray Miles Davis in Bill Pohlad's Miles & Juliette, about the jazz legend's romance with French singer Juliette Gréco. He's also founded a fine jewelry line, named Didris, inspired by his mother, and is getting into producing as well - his production company has a deal with FX Networks and wants to make opportunities for emerging talents. And like his character in F1, Idris is learning to block out the noise. He knows that a film career is a long journey and there will be ups and downs. "It's a huge moment, but I'm fortunate to have so many people in my life that keep me grounded," Idris said. "I've soaked in information from people I admire who say the same thing during these higher moments: Pinch yourself, stay grounded, remember where you came from. "That's exactly how I'm walking through this portal and into these next couple of years. I'm excited, I'm humbled, I am blessed and I can't wait to see what the future brings." AP/AAP Damson Idris was trying to tune out the noise, but that's a little difficult at a Formula One race. The British-Nigerian actor was in the zone, in character, filming the high-octane movie F1 with Brad Pitt at some of the world's most famous racetracks. While Idris' profile has been rising in recent years, after six seasons starring in the FX series Snowfall, there's nothing like being next to globally famous Formula One drivers and a Hollywood megastar to put things into perspective. He was pretty sure he was going to coast under the radar. Then he started hearing not just his own name from fans in the crowd but "Franklin Saint," too, the name of his drug kingpin character on Snowfall. "It's funny, because I see myself as a young actor who nobody knows," Idris, 33, said in a recent interview. Anonymity may already be a thing of the past for Idris, though. In May, he made a splash at the Met Gala, arriving in a full racing suit (branded with F1's fictional team name APXGP) and a Swarovski crystal-studded helmet that he and two ushers removed to reveal a second look underneath. The boldness and theatricality of the stunt made it one of the most talked about moments at an event where everyone is trying to stand out. And things have revved up even more since F1 opened in cinemas globally. With a wave of great reviews for the Top Gun: Maverick-style spectacle, filmmaker Joseph Kosinski is pretty sure Idris is going to start hearing people shout "Joshua Pearce" at him too. That's the name of Idris' character, the hotshot rookie driver of the worst team on the circuit who's desperate to prove himself and hang on to one of the coveted seats. "I'm very excited for people to see him own this character and go toe to toe with a giant movie star," Kosinski said. "I think he can do anything. He's just super talented, and I feel like I'm lucky to see him at the beginning of what's going to be a pretty stratospheric launch." Idris tries to seek out projects that challenge him and characters who are as different as possible - from each other and, especially, from him. Joshua Pearce fit the bill in a moment when he was preparing to say goodbye to Franklin Saint. After he read the F1 script, the character even infiltrated his dreams. "I said to myself, 'Man, no one's going to be able to play this part like I will.' I remember writing Joe (Kosinski) a letter and telling him that," Idris said. "When we finally jumped in the cars for the first time, I was hooked. I was like, 'Yep this movie's mine. It's no one else's and I can't wait to give my all to it.' And that's exactly what I did." F1 wouldn't just require playing a part. Both he and Pitt had to learn how to drive the cars at speeds of up to 300 kmh. It took months of training behind the wheel the supervision of stunt drivers Luciano Bacheta and Craig Dolby, as well as physical training to adapt to the G-forces they'd feel in the car. When it came time to film, which they did with special cameras attached to the cars, sometimes they were driving during breaks at real races with hundreds of thousands of spectators around. Every time you see Idris' or Pitt's face in the car, Kosinski said, they're really driving that car. "It's so insane. It's actually quicker in real life and it looks really fast on the screen," Idris said. "In a split second, a decision could be really detrimental. But I couldn't imagine doing this movie any other way. If it was on green screen, you'd be able to tell." There's a bit of art-meets-life symmetry wrapped up in F1, in which an up-and-comer teams up with a veteran. In the film, it's a reluctant pairing of two alphas. The mentorship is fraught, the lessons are hard-earned and the competition is not exactly friendly. Unlike Joshua, Idris is more than willing to get advice from those around him, whether it's producers like Jerry Bruckheimer and Jeremy Kleiner, his director Kosinski, or his co-stars, from Pitt to Javier Bardem. "I speak to them every day and I ask for advice," he said. "The main focus is on stories, playing characters that I can be proud of and range. That's everything I'm setting out to do in this career." Acting was not always the goal for Idris. Like many kids in South London, he once dreamed of being a soccer player. Sure, the idea of being a renowned athlete held some appeal, but he also loved the sheer discipline it required. Then, at age 18, he realised he'd never be as great as Lionel Messi. "When I see him one day, hopefully I'm blessed to meet him, I'm going to tell him that he's the reason why I quit football, because he was so good," he said. "Wonderfully, acting is a subjective industry, so I can at least cheat my way into working with Brad Pitt." Cheating is, of course, a bit of cheeky hyperbole for an actor who studied drama at university and continued training at London's Identity School of Acting afterward. Since he made his stage debut in Ade Solanke's Pandora's Box more than 10 years ago, Idris has been hitting the pavement like the rest of his peers. And he's just getting started. Idris recently wrapped filming the Tomi Adeyemi adaptation Children of Bone and Blood in Cape Town, South Africa. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, Idris plays Prince Inan in the African fantasy that co-stars Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Idris' idol and real-life mentor Idris Elba. "It's not just a namesake," Idris said. "I feel so blessed to be able to say that I'm like his little brother and I can call him and get advice." Next up, Idris will prepare to portray Miles Davis in Bill Pohlad's Miles & Juliette, about the jazz legend's romance with French singer Juliette Gréco. He's also founded a fine jewelry line, named Didris, inspired by his mother, and is getting into producing as well - his production company has a deal with FX Networks and wants to make opportunities for emerging talents. And like his character in F1, Idris is learning to block out the noise. He knows that a film career is a long journey and there will be ups and downs. "It's a huge moment, but I'm fortunate to have so many people in my life that keep me grounded," Idris said. "I've soaked in information from people I admire who say the same thing during these higher moments: Pinch yourself, stay grounded, remember where you came from. "That's exactly how I'm walking through this portal and into these next couple of years. I'm excited, I'm humbled, I am blessed and I can't wait to see what the future brings." AP/AAP
