Idris Lands Vs Brad Pitt In Apple’s F1

After extensive meetings, auditions, and even driving tests, Apple Studios, Joseph Kosinski, and Jerry Bruckheimer have finally found their leading race car driver for their highly anticipated Formula One racing movie. Sources report that Damson Idris has been chosen to co-star alongside Brad Pitt in the film, with Kosinski directing.

The as-yet-untitled movie will be produced by Kosinski, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Chad Oman of Jerry Bruckheimer Films (known for Top Gun: Maverick), along with seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton through his Dawn Apollo banner and Plan B. Copper CEO Penni Thow will serve as executive producer.

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Producers have been scouting for potential actors to play the lead role since November, with Joseph Kosinski, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Apple executives meeting with dozens of candidates. By the beginning of the year, the list had been narrowed down to a few actors, including Damson Idris, who ultimately made the final selection. In addition to multiple screen tests, the actors had to demonstrate their ability to handle the film's demanding driving scenes and were subjected to various driving tests in January.

Kosinski has a history of prioritizing natural effects in his films, having previously placed his actors in real fighter jets for Top Gun: Maverick. He aims to achieve a similar level of authenticity in this film by using actual Formula One race cars for the driving scenes.

The upcoming film will follow Brad Pitt's character, a retired racer who returns to the track to mentor a young driver and make one last attempt at glory as his teammate.

The project was secured by Apple in one of the largest deals of 2022. According to sources, the package was worth around $130 million to $140 million, not including above-the-line compensation. This figure is consistent with several other significant package deals that were made last year, which are particularly well-suited to streaming services that require content but may still be catching up on their development efforts.

Damson Idris rose to fame with his critically acclaimed performance in the FX series Snowfall. The show's final season has just premiered, and as his schedule has opened up, Idris has been searching for his next major role. He was also recently featured in Amazon's Swarm.

Idris is represented by CAA, M88, and attorney John Meigs.