Brad Pitt’s F1 is the realization of the racing ambitions the actor has had for over twenty years — but it almost all came to an end in a matter of minutes. Joseph Kosinski’s F1 has been a big success for Pitt, as well as a chance for him to make a movie about racing. During a behind-the-scenes video released by F1, Pitt explained how he’d previously tried to get a racing film off the ground.

I’ve been trying to get a racing movie going for 20 years. I’ve tried bikes, cars, different disciplines, and for whatever reason, they’ve never came to fruition. So when [F1 The Movie] came up, I was like ‘thank God the others didn’t work.’ You never put actors in the cars like this.

Just because F1 moves forward didn’t make it smooth sailing, however. Kosinski, Pitt, and the rest of their creative collaborators ran into plenty of issues on set. As Pitt explained during an interview with Entertainment Weekly, their time filming at the Silverstone Circuit almost fell apart. At one point, a fan ran into the middle of a sH๏τ, when they only had a few minutes to finish a scene. Pitt revealed there were also technical difficulties that threatened the shoot.

The first time out at Silverstone, day one of filming, there’s over 100,000 fans, we’ve got everything co-ordinated correct, we’re going to get 15 minutes on the track, we cannot cock this up. Because if we lose the car there, they’re gonna have to come, tow it out, we’re gonna screw up the whole schedule. Do comms checks, belts on, sit in the car waiting, waiting, it’s time to go – we went off, my comms went out. I had no comms. It’s the first time on the track, with fans, filming, and we have no comms. Fortunately, we co-ordinated so much that we just [winged] it.

What Brad Pitt’s Racing Comments Say About F1

Getting A Movie Across The Finish Line Is A Very Tricky Challenge

Both interviews speak to the difficulties of getting a major film produced, especially one of the size and scope of F1. Brad Pitt has been one of cinema’s biggest stars for decades, which makes it somewhat surprising to learn that his earlier attempts at getting a racing movie off the ground ran into so many roadblocks. Given the price, though, most studios likely balked at the prospect.

Even when the movie was filming, technical difficulties and errant fans on set could throw an entire production into disarray. This is especially true for a film like F1, which is using as many practical effects and filming techniques as possible. Even with the backing of major studios and global organizations like the Formula One racing league, getting a movie made is hard work.

Our Takeaway From Brad Pitt’s Racing Ambitions

It Takes A Special Level Of Pᴀssion And Skill To Bring A Movie Like F1 To The Big Screen

The fact that the team also overcame these challenges to get the movie across the finish line also speaks to the level of pᴀssion the cast and crew brought to F1. This level of craft and care is likely why Formula One was so comfortable with the film using their name for their тιтle.

This has proven to be a sound investment for the actor, as well as Warner Bros. Pictures and Apple Original Films. F1 has already broken box office records, earning good reviews and a spot in the top ten-grossing films of the year at the time of writing. Despite the risk, cost, and challenges of filming F1, the results are on the screen and it’s heartening to see the movie find an audience.

Source: F1, Entertainment Weekly