Formula 1 is actively considering a sequel to “F1 The Movie,” following its tremendous success, as indicated by series executive Ian Holmes. The film, produced by Apple Original Films, raked in an impressive $630 million at the box office over the summer, setting a new record as the highest-grossing sports film in history. This remarkable achievement has sparked discussions regarding the viability of a second film.
Hollywood icons Jerry Bruckheimer and Joseph Kosinski, who were instrumental in the film’s production and direction respectively, reportedly touched on the prospect of a sequel during the recent Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend. While both have remained relatively tight-lipped about details, they have acknowledged that preliminary discussions have taken place. In an interview with SBJ, Holmes commended the film’s performance, reinforcing F1’s interest in pursuing a sequel.
Currently standing as the seventh-best-performing film globally for the year, with an earnings breakdown of 70% from international markets and 30% from the U.S. and Canada, “F1 The Movie” potentially needed to gross between $600 million and $700 million to be considered profitable. Although Alicia Reese, a media analyst at Wedbush Securities, stated that the question of profitability rests with Apple, Holmes expressed that the film has performed “brilliantly” from F1’s perspective.
The key consideration now for Apple and F1 is whether there remains sufficient enthusiasm for a sequel to justify building on the success of their initial collaboration. Holmes mentioned they are open to exploring this possibility, noting the importance of timing, especially with upcoming changes in regulations that will alter the cars next year. He stated, “If a sensible proposition could be put together we’d be really interested in exploring it,” highlighting F1’s commitment to ensuring any upcoming project aligns with the ongoing narrative and developments in the sport.
The enthusiasm surrounding the film, along with the attendance of actor Damson Idris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, fosters a sense of optimism about the future of F1 in cinema. As the sport continues to evolve, the prospect of a sequel not only represents a continuation of a successful story but also an opportunity to engage an even wider audience.