Brad Pitt Spills the Tea on Tom Cruise’s Reason for Ditching Racing Film

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Prior to the release of a recent hit movie by ‘s studio, titled ‘F1‘, Brad Pitt had almost lived his dream of headlining a racing flick as he and another Hollywood icon were slated to appear in ‘Ford v Ferrari>‘. However, Pitt sheds light on the primary cause for Cruise’s decision not to join the 2019 film, which aligns with the daredevil persona of the actor.

Discussing the project, Brad Pitt explained the foundation of the movie “Ford v Ferrari.” Initially planned, Pitt and Tom Cruise were to race together, with James Mangold, who helmed Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick” and Pitt’s upcoming “F1,” directing. Things appeared promising as Pitt was set to play the role of driver Ken Miles, while Cruise portrayed both the driver and automotive designer Carroll Shelby. However, when it became clear that Shelby wouldn’t have significant on-track scenes in “Ford v Ferrari,” Cruise decided to step away from the project.

For some time, Tom and I were planning to direct Ford v Ferrari with Joe Kosinski, but it was around a decade before the film was actually produced and became a successful movie. The main issue was that we both wanted to drive and act; Tom wanted to portray Carroll Shelby, while I wanted to play Ken Miles. However, when Tom discovered that Carroll Shelby wouldn’t be driving extensively in the film, he decided it wasn’t the right fit for him.

Given Tom Cruise’s dynamic on-screen roles, it’s not unexpected that he declined the opportunity to join Ford v Ferrari. With his numerous death-defying stunts in the franchise and even piloting a P-51 Mustang in Maverick, Pitt shares similar ambitions. Like Pitt, Cruise has had a long-standing interest in racing films. Therefore, it seems reasonable that the minimal driving time could have been a deciding factor for Cruise.

Who Features in Ford v Ferrari?

Following the abandonment of the initial plan for Ford v Ferrari with Pitt and Cruise, I was thrilled to learn that Christian Bale and Matt Damon stepped into the roles as Miles and Shelby instead. Directed by James Mangold, who brought us Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Ford v Ferrarri takes us back to the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race, delving into the intense rivalry between these legendary automakers. This movie was a massive critical hit, boasting a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and taking home two Academy Awards from five nominations. With a global box office revenue of $225 million against a production budget of just $97 million, it truly roared its way into our hearts!

Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise last worked together in 1994’s “Interview with the Vampire.” Since then, they haven’t collaborated on a project, but there is still a possibility for them to work together in the future. However, Pitt has expressed interest in starring in more realistic films compared to the ones Cruise is known for producing. Recently, at the world premiere of “F1,” Cruise publicly praised Pitt’s recent movie performance.

F1 is proving to be extremely popular in its first week, with a 83% critical approval rating. It’s been highly acclaimed for its realistic portrayal of Formula One racing. The movie stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former F1 driver who now works as a taxi driver and gambler, but is lured out of retirement to mentor an up-and-coming racer. In its debut weekend, F1 dominated the box office and has earned $172.8 million globally as it prepares for its second week.

Fans can stream Ford v Ferrari . Meanwhile, F1 is now showing in theaters across North America.

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2025-07-04 22:35