Why Brad Pitt Took the Wheel in F1 Movie Instead of Tom Cruise!

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F1 director Joseph Kosinski explains why was never a real option for the film’s leading star.

As a movie reviewer, I found myself intrigued by Kosinski’s decision to cast Tom Cruise in the upcoming F1 film instead of Brad Pitt. His explanation was quite compelling: “Tom consistently takes things to the edge, yet he possesses an exceptional skill set. Both actors undeniably have a knack for driving, but I must admit, Tom might just give us a bit more of an adrenaline rush.

Graham Kelly, who oversees action sequences in films, concurred with Kosinski’s perspective on the situation, stating emphatically, “We would have had an accident.” Reflecting on his past collaborations with Tom Cruise on the Mission Impossible movie series, Kelly emphasized that “Tom takes things to the extreme. I mean, truly to the extreme. That’s what scares me. I’ve worked on numerous Mission: Impossibles with Tom, and it’s the most nerve-wracking experience for someone like me, designing vehicles and performing stunts with him. In contrast, Brad Pitt listens carefully, understands his limitations, and I believe he would be the first to admit, ‘I won’t do that.’

Brad Pitt Stars as Sonny Hayes

Under the direction of Kosinski and written by Ehren Kruger, the movie revolves around Sonny, a once-promising Formula One racer who was forced to retire following a devastating crash. Years later, Sonny is approached by his old teammate Ruben Cervantes (played by Javier Bardem), now the owner of APXGP racing team, with an offer to return to the track. The film’s star-studded cast, including Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, Shea Whigam, Samson Kayo, Sarah Niles, and Joseph Balderrama, brings this ensemble together. The movie is set for international release on June 25, with a worldwide premiere following on June 27.

As a film enthusiast, I had the pleasure of previously discussing the making of this movie with Kosinski. He emphasized that Hamilton played an integral role, not only in the technical aspects, but also in the early stages of the film’s narrative development. Hamilton’s unique insights extended beyond just Brad Pitt’s character, the veteran Hayes, to Idris’ character, the rookie racing star Joshua “Noah” Pierce as well. With his wealth of experience, he provided a personal touch that helped shape the narratives of these two characters. His insights into their motivations and what drives them day in and day out were invaluable to me during the filmmaking process.

F1 speeds into theaters everywhere on June 27.

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2025-05-30 05:05