Apple Original Films wrapped up filming of its new movie “F1” at the Formula 1 season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Starring Brad Pitt and hailing from director Joseph Kosinski, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Plan B Entertainment and seven-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton’s Dawn Apollo Films banner, “F1” will be distributed in theaters globally and in IMAX by Warner Bros. Pictures in North America in June.
Made in collaboration with Formula 1, “F1” is “immersed in the exhilarating and cinematic world of Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport,” officials said in a press release.
Filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends around the world, the feature stars Pitt as a former driver who returns to Formula 1 alongside Damson Idris as his teammate at the fictional APXGP team. A star-studded ensemble cast also includes Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles, Kim Bodnia and Samson Kayo.
“F1” is directed by Kosinski (“Top Gun: Maverick”), who produces the feature alongside seven-time Formula 1 world champion Hamilton under his Dawn Apollo Films banner; Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman of Jerry Bruckheimer Films; Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner for Plan B Entertainment; and Kosinski for Monolith Pictures.
The film was made in collaboration with Formula 1 and the F1 community—including Formula 1 management, the 10 teams, F1 drivers and the FIA, the release noted. Academy Award-nominee Ehren Kruger (“Top Gun: Maverick”) wrote the screenplay.
With 29 days of production happening in Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina Circuit and Zayed International Airport, the cast and filmmakers were supported by a local crew of 284 and the team at Epic Films, plus 15 local interns and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission under its rebate scheme.
“F1” is one of 170 major productions supported by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission since the introduction of the rebate in 2013.
“We were delighted to be able to support the extensive and varied production program, which saw the international crew and cast visiting the nation on three separate occasions; totaling 29 days of on-ground production,” said Sameer Al Jaberi, head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission. “As well as featuring on screen Emirati talent, more than 284 local crew members worked on this production, joining 15 passionate young individuals who took work placements on set, including five Emirati youth as part of our commitment to nurture talent for the creative industries from within.”
