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Brad Pitt has opened up about why his long-rumoured 'Ford v Ferrari' collaboration with Tom Cruise never made it to theatres. In a recent interview with The National to promote his latest racing film, 'F1', Pitt explained the behind-the-scenes details that kept the high-profile project from taking off.
Long before James Mangold directed the 2019 Oscar-winning 'Ford v Ferrari' starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale, an earlier version of the film was in development. That iteration, helmed by 'Top Gun: Maverick' director Joseph Kosinski, was originally set to star Cruise and Pitt. However, the project hit a dead end due to budget constraints.
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Why Brad Pitt's Film Never Made It?
Brad Pitt, now 61, shared that there was more to the story than just financing. At the time, both he and Cruise were committed to the film and eager to take on leading roles. Cruise was eyeing the role of Carroll Shelby, while Brad Pitt was drawn to playing racing legend Ken Miles. The sticking point came when it became clear that Shelby’s role in the script didn’t involve much actual driving. That ultimately shifted Cruise’s interest away from the film, and the project stalled out nearly a decade before the version that finally hit theatres.
Though 'Ford v Ferrari' didn’t work out for the duo, Pitt eventually got his time behind the wheel with 'F1', which was released in theatres on 27th June. Directed once again by Kosinski and produced in partnership with real-life F1 star Lewis Hamilton, the film stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a retired driver making a comeback. The cast also includes Damson Idris, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, and Javier Bardem.
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Brad Pitt's Interests in Sequel
Pitt has expressed interest in continuing the story in a potential sequel. While discussing the future of the 'F1' franchise, he said the spotlight should shift to Damson Idris’s character, Joshua Pierce, as he and the team fight for a championship title. Although Pitt would love to get back in the car, he envisions his character Sonny setting speed records somewhere remote, like the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Despite not appearing together onscreen since 1994’s 'Interview with the Vampire', Cruise and Pitt recently reunited on the red carpet for the 'F1' premiere in London. The two Hollywood icons may not have shared the screen in years, but they remain friendly off-camera.
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When asked about a future collaboration with Cruise, Pitt said he would be open to the idea, as long as it doesn’t involve hanging from aeroplanes. For Pitt, the next team-up would need to stay grounded—literally.
As fans await the possibility of these two reuniting in a grounded action drama, Pitt’s 'F1' continues to speed through the box office, bringing real motorsport action to the big screen with cinematic flair.
