F1 director explains why Simone Ashley's role was cut from final version of Brad Pitt film
Simone Ashley's role in the upcoming racing drama F1 has been largely removed from the final version of the film, which premieres in theaters on June 27. Although her casting alongside Brad Pitt and Damson Idris was announced in July 2024 and she was photographed filming, the Bridgerton star's appearance in the movie is minimal—with no dialogue.
Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE, director Joseph Kosinski explained the decision, noting that 'two or three storylines' didn't make it into the final cut. 'It happens on every film, where you have to shoot more than you can use,' Kosinski said. Still, he praised Ashley as 'an incredible talent' and expressed interest in working with her again.
Ashley has not publicly commented on the edit, but in a recent interview with ELLE, she called the filming experience 'crazy' and said, 'I have a very small part, but I'm grateful to be in that movie.' She also recalled attending multiple Grands Prix and described the adrenaline-filled set: 'Sometimes we literally had one take for certain shots… It was kind of like theater. It felt so live.'
In an earlier interview with Who What Wear, Ashley shared that she had met for the film before Bridgerton even aired. 'It's Damson and Brad's movie,' she said. 'I'm just so grateful that I can be part of it.'
F1—also starring Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, and Javier Bardem—is scheduled for theatrical release and IMAX on June 27, 2025.
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