Joseph Kosinski, the director of “Top Gun: Maverick,” revealed that he chose Brad Pitt over Tom Cruise for his upcoming Formula One movie, primarily due to safety concerns. In comments to Variety, he acknowledged both actors’ natural driving abilities but expressed a preference for Pitt’s more cautious approach to stunts.
Kosinski noted that while Cruise is incredibly skilled and has a history of pushing boundaries in his roles—such as performing real-life stunts in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise—this can lead to higher risks on set. He explained, “Tom always pushes it to the limit… but yeah, I could see Tom maybe scaring us a little bit more.”
The film stars Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula One driver whose career was cut short by a catastrophic crash. Years later, he is convinced by a friend and team owner, Ruben, to return to the sport as a mentor to rookie driver Joshua “Noah” Pearce, played by Damson Idris.
Graham Kelly, the action-vehicle supervisor, echoed Kosinski’s sentiments, sharing that Cruise’s intense approach to stunts can be daunting for those working alongside him. Conversely, he highlighted Pitt’s ability to recognize his own limits: “Brad listens and he knows his abilities, and I think he’d be the first to say, ‘Yeah, I’m not going to do that.’”
The film, titled “F1,” is scheduled to be released on June 27, and has already generated excitement among fans of motorsports and cinema alike.
As audiences look forward to its debut, it’s hopeful to see such a blend of talent and caution in filmmaking, promising a thrilling yet safe cinematic experience.