Joseph Kosinski, director of the anticipated F1 film, recently shared the reasoning behind why Tom Cruise was not cast in the leading role, despite the two working together previously. Addressing Why Tom Cruise wasn’t cast in F1 movie, Kosinski revealed that Cruise’s well-known appetite for pushing boundaries was a decisive factor, while Brad Pitt brought a different energy to the project.
Kosinski Explains His Decision to Cast Brad Pitt Instead of Tom Cruise
In a recent discussion, Joseph Kosinski explained that he chose not to approach Tom Cruise for the Formula 1 movie because his intense approach to stunts and action scenes made him a daunting candidate for the racing film. Kosinski stated during an interview with GQ magazine,
Tom always pushes it to the limit, but at the same time is super capable and very skilled. They both [Cruise and Pitt] have the natural talent for driving. But yeah, I could see Tom maybe scaring us a little bit more.
—Joseph Kosinski, Director
The director has a history of collaborating with Cruise, having directed Top Gun: Maverick and Oblivion. However, this time, Kosinski believed Pitt would better align with what the production required, particularly in the context of high-speed racing scenes that demand a balance of daring and discipline.
Insights from F1’s Vehicle Supervisor on the Casting Choice
Graham Kelly, the action-vehicle supervisor for the F1 film, has also worked with Tom Cruise during several Mission: Impossible films. Echoing Kosinski’s perspective, Kelly remarked,
We’d have had a crash. Tom pushes it to the limit. I mean really to the limit. That terrifies me.
—Graham Kelly, Action-Vehicle Supervisor
Describing his experiences with Cruise, Kelly further stated,
I mean, I’ve done loads of Mission: Impossibles with Tom, and it’s the most stressful experience for someone like me, building cars for him, doing stunts with him. Whereas 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.’
—Graham Kelly, Action-Vehicle Supervisor
Production Timeline and Release Plans
Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer began early development on the F1 film while post-production for Top Gun: Maverick was underway. While Tom Cruise is currently experiencing notable box office success with Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, Brad Pitt will take the spotlight as the lead in the F1 movie, set to premiere in theaters on June 27.
The decision to cast Brad Pitt reflects a strategic focus on safety and control behind the wheel, as highlighted by both Kosinski and Kelly. Their remarks provide insight into the unique demands of filming high-octane racing scenes and emphasize why the production chose Pitt over someone with Cruise’s reputation for risk-taking. As anticipation builds, viewers will soon see Pitt race onto the big screen when the F1 movie debuts this summer.
