Brad Pitt’s Formula One film delayed due to Hollywood strike – report

Production of an upcoming film which depicts the wild world of Formula One has reportedly been delayed, as the movie's stars – including Hollywood icon Brad Pitt – join ongoing strikes against the film industry’s biggest studios.

NBC News reports a source close to production of the as-yet untitled film – starring Pitt and co-produced by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton – claims “all filming is shut down for now”, as the film’s stars and production crew join the industrial action which has all but suspended film and TV production in the US. 

“Brad had really enjoyed himself, but he is definitely a very loyal member of the union,” the source told NBC News.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) – the union which represents more than 20,000 script writers in the US – voted to go on strike in early May 2023, citing poor pay and a lack of negotiations with streaming giants and film studios.

Last week, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (or SAG-AFTRA) joined the WGA’s strike, after negotiations on new contracts for its 150,000-plus members reportedly stalled.

It is the first time both unions have gone on strike at the same time in 60 years.

While it is not known how much filming for the Formula One film had been completed prior to the strike, Brad Pitt and co-star Damson Idris drove the look-alike F1 cars on track during the recent British Grand Prix to capture driving scenes for the movie.

The actors were also seen on the Formula One grid prior to the race start, with their fictional ‘APXGP’ team cars lined up amongst the real competitors taking part in the Grand Prix.

As reported by Formula One news website GP Blog, filming for the movie was also expected to take place at the Belgian and Dutch Grands Prix, though these dates are now in doubt due to the ongoing strike.

The film – which has not yet received a release date –is backed by tech giant Apple and directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick and Tron: Legacy).

Legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Days of Thunder, Bad Boys, Pirates of the Caribbean, and both Top Gun movies) has also joined the ensemble production crew and will work alongside Lewis Hamilton in his debut as a film producer.