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CBC
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Jerry Bruckheimer was terrified that Brad Pitt would crash his car while shooting F1
For the better part of four decades, Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer has been a kind of blockbuster travel agent for audiences around the globe. "We're in the transportation business," he tells Q guest host Talia Schlanger in an interview. "We transport you into another world." Bruckheimer has taken movie-goers on a spaceship to an asteroid in Armageddon, into the back of a cop car with Will Smith in Bad Boys, and into the cockpit of a fighter jet in Top Gun. His latest movie, F1, brings you to the racetrack for a front row seat at one of the world's biggest sporting events. WATCH | Official trailer for F1: The new high-octane blockbuster stars Brad Pitt as an aging Formula One driver who attempts to make a comeback 30 years after his promising career is derailed by an accident. As a veteran producer, Bruckheimer had to draw on everything he knows about making action movies to pull off the film's high-risk stunts, while also maintaining authenticity and keeping his actors safe. When Pitt signed on to the movie, he insisted on driving himself without the use of green screens. "When you see Brad in the car, he's in the car," Bruckheimer says. "[The actors] are in the car going 180 miles an hour, breaking down to 50. The G-force is in the corners; you hit five Gs when you go in those corners at 50 miles an hour. And the downforce is unbelievable." These are rocket ships that they're driving at these enormous speeds. - Jerry Bruckheimer While shooting the film's life-threatening scenes, Bruckheimer was constantly worried about Pitt's safety. He says his happiest day on set was when the A-list star stepped out of the car for the final time in Abu Dhabi. "That was his unhappiest day because it was over," Bruckheimer says. "He just loved it. Even though he took a beating physically…. You don't understand, these are rocket ships that they're driving at these enormous speeds." But despite all of the impressive action shots, Bruckheimer says it's "the emotional story" that really hooks you in. "You don't have to be a racing fan or know anything about F1 to really enjoy this movie because once we get you in the theatre, we're going to surround you with a great story, great visuals and great sound," he tells Schlanger. "You're going to have a great experience for over two hours. And I promise you, you'll feel better when you walk out than when you walked in."
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Jerry Bruckheimer hails Brad Pitt as the perfect driver for 'F1'
'He's an amazing actor and he loves motor sports,' legendary producer says Get the latest from Mark Daniell straight to your inbox Brad Pitt and producer Jerry Bruckheimer on the set of "F1." Photo by Warner Bros. NEW YORK CITY — As the man who helped bring Top Gun , Beverly Hills Cop , the Bad Boys movies, Days of Thunder and the Pirates of the Caribbean flicks to the big screen, Hollywood super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer knows what makes a great summer movie. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account There needs to be action, a little romance, a kick-ass soundtrack and big emotional stakes. Of course, the perfect leading man is another necessary ingredient. So when he and his Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski and screenwriter Ehren Kruger were reuniting for a story set inside the world of Formula 1 racing, Bruckheimer says they had their eye on one guy to star: Brad Pitt. 'First of all, he's handsome. He's an Academy Award winner. He's an amazing actor and he loves motor sports,' Bruckheimer, 81, tells Postmedia in an interview in a midtown Manhattan hotel. Pitt was also a logical choice, he adds, because 'he drives motorcycles and he's tried to get other racing movies made before.' In theatres Friday, F1 casts Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a washed up racer who is given a second chance when he's hired by his old friend (Javier Bardem) to mentor a hotshot rookie driver ( Snowfall's Damson Idris) on a last-place team. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Damson Idris and Brad Pitt in 'F1.' Photo by Apple Films/ Warner Bros. Dubbed 'the greatest that never was,' Hayes is the antithesis of Pitt, who has been delighting audiences for more than three decades. But Bruckheimer says the actor has just the right type of charm to entertain moviegoers. And you don't need to know a single thing about Formula 1. 'It's not really about the racing. It's about these characters in this world,' the producing giant says. 'When you come into that third act, your heart is pounding. I promise you, no matter who you are … It's a big experience on a IMAX screen. You're going to be captivated for over two hours.' Bruckheimer says that the world of Formula 1 is so drama-filled that it became the perfect jumping-off point for a comeback story that is, at its core, about redemption. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's the only sport in the world where there are 10 teams, two drivers to a team and your teammate is your competitor,' he says. 'So, you have this battle within your team to be the best driver. That's a really exciting and dramatic arc for a story. 'But you don't need to know anything about F1 or anything about racing to really enjoy this movie because it's an emotional ride … It's a Rocky story,' Bruckheimer continues. 'It's about a character who had an opportunity and blew it when he was young. Loved racing, raced all around the world, but never got invited back to F1. Now he gets invited back when he's much older. So he has to work twice as hard and train twice as hard to be able to get into these cars and win.' Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes in 'F1.' Photo by Apple Films/ Warner Bros. Made in collaboration with well-known names from the Formula 1 community, F1 boasts seven-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton among its producers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. To add to the verisimilitude, Kosinski adopted the same filmmaking style he employed on Maverick with Pitt and Idris getting behind the wheel and driving the cars for real at speeds of up to 180-miles-per-hour on film. 'You're in the seat with Brad and you're having a blast with him,' Bruckheimer says. Filming for F1 took place in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators at actual Formula 1 races like Silverstone — home of the British Grand Prix — and at the Hungaroring near Budapest; as well as the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium; Japan's Suzuka track; the Vegas strip and Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit. Cameras would roll between practice and qualifying runs on Grand Prix weekends with the fictional APXGP squad becoming a fixture on the circuit. 'We put you inside a world you would never be a part of,' Bruckheimer says. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali and Ferrari driver Hamilton saw the potential for the film to boost global interest in the motorsport, Bruckheimer says. 'Myself, Brad and Joe went to London and met with Stefano. We said, 'Here's the movie we want to make. This is something that will be emotional, but it will tell the world, especially in America, how phenomenal your sport is.' He said, 'Great. How can we help you?' He understood the value of it.' Domenicali could see how Top Gun boosted interest in the U.S. Navy after it was released in 1986. 'When we did the first Top Gun , we wanted to shoot at (Naval Air Station) Miramar in San Diego, where the Top Gun base is,' Bruckheimer explains. 'The admiral on the base said, 'No way.' Tom (Cruise), (director) Tony (Scott) and I went to see the Secretary of the Navy John Lehman and (he said yes). He knew what it would do for the Navy. Their recruiting went up 500% because of Top Gun . This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Stefano knew we were going to make a great movie that would be great for the sport,' the Oscar nominee says. A scene from 'F1,' opening June 27. Photo by Warner Bros. With F1 set to be the second stunt-heavy film hitting theatres this summer after the latest Mission: Impossible , Bruckheimer says Pitt had a big grin whenever he got behind the wheel on the track. It was two worlds coming together in the most authentic way possible. 'My happiest day was when we were in Abu Dhabi and Brad climbed out of the car for the last time he drove it,' Bruckheimer says grinning. 'That was his unhappiest day because he loved driving so much.' F1 opens in theatres Friday, June 27. mdaniell@ Columnists Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Will Smith Admits Painful Regret Over Turning Down ‘Inception' Role
Will Smith's batting average when it comes to selecting his movie roles is certainly nothing to turn your nose up at. However, just like any actor, Smith has a few movies that disappointed, and others that he turned down that wound up being major hits. While Smith has previously admitted to other noteworthy films he passed on, his comments while speaking on radio station KISS XTRA make it apparent he still feels the sting of one or two specifically. As HuffPost detailed, Smith admitted to KISS XTRA that writer and director Chris Nolan pitched the movie Inception to him, but he turned it down. The Bad Boys star explained that he "didn't get" the idea behind the film. "I don't think I've ever even said it publicly before..." Smith said. "...Chris Nolan brought me Inception first, and I didn't get it." "And now that I think about it, it's those movies that go into those alternate realities; they don't pitch well." Smith also called his decision to pass on The Matrix, a role in which Keanu Reeves ultimately thrived, one of his "beautiful scars." At the end of the conversation, Smith admitted he's "hurt by those two," referencing passing on Inception and The Matrix. Leonardo DiCaprio ultimately starred in Inception, and it became one of his biggest hits. The movie grossed $828 million worldwide on a reported budget of $160 million and pulled in 102 awards overall, including four Smith Admits Painful Regret Over Turning Down 'Inception' Role first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 16, 2025
Wales Online
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Will Smith feels ‘brand new' after putting Oscars slap controversy behind him
Will Smith feels 'brand new' after putting Oscars slap controversy behind him The film star and musician said the moment, televised around the world at the 2022 awards, made him take "a big, strong, honest look at myself". Will Smith has announced a new album as well as UK and European tour (Image: Getty Images ) Actor Will Smith has described the work he has done on himself since slapping comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars as "brutal but beautiful", or "brutiful". The film star and musician said the moment, televised around the world at the 2022 awards, made him take "a big, strong, honest look at myself". Appearing on 1Xtra, Smith told host Remi Burgz: "After the Oscars I, like, shut it down for a minute and really went into the internal work... "All of a sudden, it was like there was a manhole cover over some unexplored areas, and like the manhole cover came off, and it was scary for a minute. "Then all of a sudden all of these new thoughts, new energies and new creativity came through. "So, I feel like I'm brand new. Article continues below "I feel like the greatest creative period of my life will be in the next, you know, five to 10 years." Smith, who has starred in blockbusters such as the Men In Black and Bad Boys franchises, stormed the stage at the 94th Academy Awards and hit Rock after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's hair loss. Smith won the Oscar for best actor for his leading role in King Richard the same night. Asked what it was like to make such a mistake in front of the world, Smith said: "For the first time in my career, having to deal with a level of disapproval that I'd never had to experience. "It's brutiful – it's brutal but beautiful. "The addiction to the approval of others that I had to dissolve, brutiful." Article continues below The Academy Awards called Smith's behaviour "unacceptable and harmful", and banned him from the ceremony for a period of 10 years. Smith released his first record in two decades earlier this year. The album, Based On A True Story, also references the Oscars incident.
Leader Live
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Will Smith feels ‘brand new' after putting Oscars slap controversy behind him
The film star and musician said the moment, televised around the world at the 2022 awards, made him take 'a big, strong, honest look at myself'. Appearing on 1Xtra, Smith told host Remi Burgz: 'After the Oscars I, like, shut it down for a minute and really went into the internal work… 'All of a sudden, it was like there was a manhole cover over some unexplored areas, and like the manhole cover came off, and it was scary for a minute. 'Then all of a sudden all of these new thoughts, new energies and new creativity came through. 'So, I feel like I'm brand new. 'I feel like the greatest creative period of my life will be in the next, you know, five to 10 years.' Smith, who has starred in blockbusters such as the Men In Black and Bad Boys franchises, stormed the stage at the 94th Academy Awards and hit Rock after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's hair loss. Smith won the Oscar for best actor for his leading role in King Richard the same night. Asked what it was like to make such a mistake in front of the world, Smith said: 'For the first time in my career, having to deal with a level of disapproval that I'd never had to experience. 'It's brutiful – it's brutal but beautiful. 'The addiction to the approval of others that I had to dissolve, brutiful.' The Academy Awards called Smith's behaviour 'unacceptable and harmful', and banned him from the ceremony for a period of 10 years. Smith released his first record in two decades earlier this year. The album, Based On A True Story, also references the Oscars incident.
