Production costs for the highly-anticipated Formula One-themed film starring Brad Pitt and co-produced by Lewis Hamilton, have soared beyond its original budget. The project now faces financial pressures, needing a substantial box office success to break-even.
The film, rumored to be called 'Apex' but with no confirmed name yet, has encountered significant financial hurdles that have driven its production costs to surpass the $300 million mark, according to reports from Koimoi.com.
A-list actor Brad Pitt portrays a retired F1 driver who takes under his wing a promising young talent, a role played by Damson Idris, in the fictional Apex Grand Prix team. The cast is further embellished with performances by Kerry Condon and Javier Bardem.
However, the glamour of its cast and the novelty of its setting have come at a high price. Initially projected with a substantial budget, the actual expenses ballooned as the production involved the use of genuine race cars and rigorous safety protocols. These elements, while aiming to provide an authentic racing experience, have notably inflated the costs.
The financial trajectory of 'Apex' became even more precarious due to delays brought on by the Screen Actors' Guild and Writers' Guild of America strike in 2023. The interruptions not only delayed filming but necessitated reshoots of some scenes, adding to the financial strain.
Filming at actual Grand Prix events, such as the iconic Silverstone circuit during the British Grand Prix weekend last year, and using modified F2 cars as stand-ins for F1 cars, director Joseph Kosinski, alongside screenplay co-writer Ehren Kruger, sought to capture the essence of Formula One, embedding real race environments into the film's fabric.
Yet, the lavish expenditure has set a towering break-even point. To cover its escalated costs, 'Apex' must generate over $750 million in global box office revenues, a challenging feat even for a star-studded blockbuster.
Speaking to Sky Sports last year about his involvement in the film and whether he would also feature on screen, Hamilton clarified:
"No, not really, I don't really have any desire to be in front of the camera, but there may be an element in it where maybe I'll slot in and play a small cameo, but at the moment that's not the plan.
"I'm more enjoying the part in the background, making sure that I'm really talking to Joe [Joseph Kosinski] about who we're hiring, making sure that it's diverse, making sure that the sport looks how it's supposed to look in the future, in terms of being more accessible."
Hamilton continued:
"Just to be able to sit there with Joe and Jerry, who are such legends, and then sit there and watch Brad work - I'm learning so much through the process and have even more of an appreciation of what it takes to create a movie.
"I'm sure that will continue to grow as I see this thing slowly grow and build into something special."
Uncommon Knowledge
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