Top Gun: Maverick’s director, Joseph Kosinski, is going from one high-octane film to another. After guiding Tom Cruise to one of last year’s best box office outings, Kosinski now hopes to do the same with Brad Pitt in an upcoming film, which recently got a title.
An adrenaline-fueled announcement earlier this year revealed that the Hollywood heavyweight, Brad Pitt, would star in the movie and be seated behind the wheel of a real Formula One race car.
As the movie enters its on-location filming phase at the British Grand Prix, it also reveals its title in a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” kind of announcement (we mean this in a literal sense – it’s no longer available).
Apex, produced by the trio of Jerry Bruckheimer, Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment, and seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, will feature 59-year-old Pitt as a retired driver who is coaxed back onto the tarmac. Alongside this, he will play mentor to a rookie driver, portrayed by Damson Idris of Snowfall fame, competing against the titans of the sport.
When an industry titan like Apple Original Films announces a collaboration with A-list stars and top-tier directors like Brad Pitt and Joseph Kosinski of Top Gun: Maverick fame, it’s bound to generate significant buzz. Apex is no exception.
Apex aims to deliver a thrilling spectacle, aiming to be the most accurate racing film ever made. In a clear commitment to realism, Kosinski and his crew have spent over 18 months developing the smallest moveable 6k camera to capture the cockpit’s reality, immersing the audience in the fast-paced world of Formula One like never before.
It’s a trend we’ve seen Kosinski lean into with his directorial style. His passion for practical stunts and capturing raw as well as authentic footage was clear in Top Gun: Maverick and it’s a principle he plans to build on with Apex.
As Apex gains momentum, it couldn’t have arrived at a better time. Formula One, already an international spectacle, has seen a surge in popularity in the United States due to the captivating Netflix documentary, Drive to Survive. This newfound audience presents a fertile ground for the arrival of Apex, promising to bring the thrill of the sport to a broader demographic.
There’s still much we don’t know about Apex, including its official release date. However, it’s confirmed to have a theatrical release before eventually finding its permanent home on Apple TV+.
Given Kosinski’s unorthodox approach, the innovative technology employed, and the superstar cast in place, Apex is set to deliver a visceral racing experience like never before. We can only imagine the racing heartbeats of Formula One and movie fans alike as they anticipate the merging of these two worlds. Despite the familiar narrative of a retired veteran returning for one last hurrah, the sheer spectacle of practical stunts, real races, and the commitment to capture the authenticity of the sport promise to breathe new life into the trope.
This is undoubtedly a journey into the heart of Formula One, full of high-speed chases, daring overtakes, and the relentless pursuit of victory.
In the meantime, racing fans can look forward to checking out the live-action adaptation of Gran Turismo on August 11.
