HE had put the pedal to the metal on his big budget Formula 1 movie, but Brad Pitt’s efforts have now hit the skids.
I can reveal that the actor, who is starring in and producing the as-yet untitled movie, has been forced to axe tens of millions of pounds worth of footage from the flick in a row over sponsorships.
He had spent the first half of the F1 season shooting at Grand Prix events around the globe for the blockbuster, before the actors’ strike put the production on ice.
But now that they have picked up work on it again, the sponsorships have all changed, which means they can no longer use a large amount of the scenes they had already shot.
The disastrous scenario is a devastating blow to co-producers Jerry Bruckheimer and British racing legend Lewis Hamilton.
‘Defunct footage’
Like Brad, Lewis also stars in the film as well as helping to produce it.
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A source said: “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.
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“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.”
The film is being directed by Joseph Kosinski who recently teamed up with Tom Cruise on the box office smash Top Gun: Maverick.
It had been hoped that it would hit screens in late 2024, but that is looking increasingly unlikely following these new delays.
Javier Bardem, Damson Idris and The Banshees Of Inisherin star Kerry Condon will also appear in the movie.
Film bosses want it to emulate the success of Ron Howard’s 2013 F1 smash Rush.
The film is set to follow fictional racer Sonny Hayes, played by Brad, who suffers a horror crash which forces him to give up the sport.
He is then brought out of retirement years later to mentor a young racer who dreams of dominating the track.
Racing fanatic Brad had been due to star in a flick called Go Like Hell alongside Tom Cruise, and also directed by Joseph, but it fell apart because of budget issues, so let’s hope the same doesn’t happen here.
Previously talking about this new film, Brad said: “I tell you what’s amazing about it.
“You’ll see the cameras mounted all over the car. You’ve never seen speed, you’ve never seen the G-forces like this. It’s really amazing.”
Sounds like it’s not always life in the fast line for Brad, after all.
GRAMMY NOD OLIVIA’S HUNGER FOR SUCCESS
OLIVIA Rodrigo dazzles in a floor-length sequin gown – hot on the heels of her six Grammy nominations.
The singer wore a slinky, black halterneck with floral trim to the Los Angeles premiere of The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes on Monday.
The movie’s lead, Rachel Zegler, also stunned at the swanky bash, attending by model Lottie Moss.
Olivia sings the film’s lead track, Can’t Catch Me Now, and its video racked up more than 500,000 views within 12 hours of release yesterday.
It became her ninth Top 20 hit on Friday, just as she discovered her Grammy success for second album Guts.
She wrote on Instagram: “What an incredible honour… Grateful is an understatement!!!”
SHOCK AND SHAWN
SHAWN Mendes and Stormzy have announced the most surprising collaboration of the year.
They have teamed up for track, Witness Me, with five-time Grammy winner Jacob Collier, and US gospel singer Kirk Franklin.
Shawn, Jacob and Stormzy filmed the music video in LA last month, above. The track will be released next Tuesday.
NELLY Furtado will perform her first show here in 17 years when she headlines Mighty Hoopla festival next summer.
The Maneater singer, who has had seven Top Ten singles, will top the line-up in South London’s Brockwell Park on June 1, while Jessie Ware will headline the Sunday.
Other acts on the bill for the pop festival include Rita Ora, Alison Goldfrapp, Kim Petras, En Vogue, Bananarama, Claire Richards, Delta Goodrem, Shaznay Lewis and The Veronicas.
Cher Lloyd and Noughties boyband V will also play the event.
MORE TAY UK DATES
IF you missed out on tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour next summer, you’re in luck, she has added more dates.
The US superstar will become the first woman to play Wembley Stadium for eight nights, after adding shows on August 19 and 20 to dates in June and August.
Take That are the only other act to have played eight shows there in a single year.
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Tickets for Tay’s first new date went on sale today, while you can snap them up for the second one from 2pm tomorrow.
Taylor’s concert film of her tour has already made more than £12million here since its release last month.
