Formula 1 have hit back at reports that Brad Pitt had to scrap "hours of footage" from his new racing movie "worth tens of millions".
The Oscar-winning actor has been shooting the drama Apex, directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski, alongside actors Damon Idris and Javier Bardem over the past year.
In the flick, Pitt plays a veteran Formula 1 driver who comes out of retirement to train an up-and-coming driver, played by Idris.
Prior to the actors’ strikes in July, the movie's stars and the film’s producers recorded hours of footage at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in an attempt to create “authenticity” and also to save costs.
However, following the end of the actors’ strike, it was claimed that the film’s sponsorship deals were forced to change, meaning that all pre-recorded footage is no longer permitted to be used.
Meaning Pitt, who is co-producing the film with Jerry Bruckheimer and Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, had been forced to scrap tens of millions of pounds worth of valuable footage, which has since been denied.
A source told The Sun: “It really is a nightmare for Brad and the team. A lot of events had been earmarked for filming throughout the year which would have helped reduce costs rather than having to recreate high-speed moments and wide shots.
“However, with all the sponsors changing it now makes the footage defunct. It’s gutting for Brad and Lewis who see this project as their baby.
“Apple Studios, who are helping make the film, are far from impressed but at the end of the day, there isn’t a lot they can do.”
In response to the report, a Formula 1 spokesperson said that "the movie is still on schedule for its original 2025 release timeframe. All footage captured this year is relevant."
They added: "The movie will continue shooting at Grands Prix in 2024, with Brad and Damson driving actual cars on track for racing sequences. The movie will ensure continuity with the 2023 F1 season in footage captured in 2024.
"There are no changes to any movie sponsors, and all are committed for the duration of the project.
"The production has been adapting its schedule before and during the SAG strike and has planned to shoot into 2024 for some time."
