With Brad Pitt headlining and Joseph Kosinski directing, the upcoming racing drama F1 is positioned to be one of the most anticipated box office releases of the summer. Known for his visually immersive style, Kosinski made waves with Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, and now he aims to replicate that cinematic success by shifting gears — this time placing Pitt in the driver’s seat.
Surprisingly, F1 isn’t the first racing project that nearly united Kosinski and Pitt. Back in 2013, the duo was attached to an earlier adaptation of A.J. Baime’s Go Like Hell, a film that would eventually be released as Ford v Ferrari. That version was originally set to feature Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in the lead roles, with Kosinski directing. Cruise was slated to portray Carroll Shelby, while Pitt would take on the role of Ken Miles. However, despite having both stars participate in a table read, the project was scrapped due to budget constraints.
At a 2020 Comic-Con at Home panel, Kosinski recalled the near-miss with a tinge of regret, stating, “I always wanted to make a racing film.” Though he described Ford v Ferrari as the “one that got away,” he praised the final product, directed by James Mangold and starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale, saying, “They did an amazing job with it.”
Despite never materializing with its original cast, Ford v Ferrari went on to earn critical acclaim, win two Academy Awards, and gross over $225 million worldwide. Damon and Bale’s performances were integral to the film’s success, with both actors bringing depth and emotional complexity to their roles.
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Yet, the story doesn’t end there. Now, a decade after their initial attempt, Kosinski and Pitt are finally collaborating on a racing movie with F1. The project promises high-octane thrills and emotional resonance, combining star power with directorial precision. With comparisons to Top Gun: Maverick and the legacy of Ford v Ferrari behind it, F1 may very well accelerate into cinematic history.
