Formula One hit back at claims Brad Pitt has been forced to scrap ‘footage worth millions of pounds’ from big screen racing drama

Reports this week claimed Brad Pitt had put the skids on his new racing drama after a change in sponsorship deals following the writer’s strike resulted in the actor scrapping hours of previously recorded footage.

The Oscar-winning actor has been shooting an untitled project with director Joseph Kosinski, in which he plays a veteran Formula One ace who comes out of retirement to train an up-and-coming driver. 

Pitt, 59, and his production team had recorded hours of footage on location during the first half of the F1 season, with the actor filmed driving a Formula Two car with an added Formula One aero-package at the Silverstone Circuit in July. 

But the subsequent 118 day actor’s strike, which affected almost two million industry jobs before it ended in November, put the brakes on any further location work. 

The delay and subsequent agreement between the SAG-AFTRA union and film studios has since resulted in a change to sponsorship deals, industry sources claimed – rendering any pre-recorded film unusable. 

Formula 1 though have now assured MailOnline that the movie is back on track. 

Dead rubber: Reports this week claimed Brad Pitt had put the skids on his new racing drama after a change in sponsorship deals following the writer’s strike resulted in the actor scrapping hours of previously recorded footage (pictured on set with Damson Idris) 

New role: The Oscar-winning actor has been shooting an untitled project with director Joseph Kosinski (pictured) in which he plays a veteran Formula One ace who comes out of retirement to train an up-and-coming driver

Pitt – who is co-producing the film with Jerry Bruckheimer and Formula One star Lewis Hamilton – had reportedly been forced to scrap tens of millions of pounds worth of valuable footage. 

A source told The Sun: ‘It really is a nightmare for Brad and the team. A lot of events had been earmarked for filming throughout the year which would have helped reduce costs rather than having to recreate high-speed moments and wide shots.

‘However, with all the sponsors changing it now makes the footage defunct. It’s gutting for Brad and Lewis who see this project as their baby.

‘Apple Studios, who are helping make the film, are far from impressed but at the end of the day, there isn’t a lot they can do.’ 

Formula 1 has since hit back at the report, with a spokesperson telling MailOnline on Wednesday: ‘The movie is still on schedule for its original 2025 release timeframe. All footage captured this year is relevant.

‘It will continue shooting at Grands Prix in 2024, with Brad and Damson driving actual cars on track for racing sequences. The movie will ensure continuity with the 2023 F1 season in footage captured in 2024.

‘There are no changes to any movie sponsors, and all are committed for the duration of the project. The production has been adapting its schedule before and during the SAG strike and has planned to shoot into 2024 for some time.’

Spanner in the works: But the subsequent 118 day actor’s strike, which affected almost two million industry jobs before it ended in November, put the brakes on any further location work

Exciting: The Fight Club star will play veteran driver Sonny Hayes, who has come out of retirement to compete alongside young rookie Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris 

Pitt had been getting up to speed in Formula Two machinery for two months – first at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France and then at Silverstone.

The Fight Club star will play veteran driver Sonny Hayes, who has come out of retirement to compete alongside young rookie Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, and against the sport’s biggest titans.

Spanish star Javier Bardem is also expected to feature as Sonny’s APXGP team principal, while Lewis Hamilton is billed to play a part in the film – presumably as himself.

Hamilton recently spoke about the film, saying: ‘There are nerves because it is something we’ve been working on for so long.

‘We want everyone to love it and to really feel that we encapsulate what the essence of this sport is all about.’

Preparing: The Hollywood heartthrob was seen attending the Austin Grand Prix on October 23, 2022, where he appeared to be preparing for the role by studying the sport

There he is: Pitt was also pictured at the Silverstone Circuit in July, where he filmed scenes for his new movie 

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