Is Brad Pitt About to Repeat James Cameron’s Success? The Top Gun Maverick Director Overspends on Pitt’s Next Film, Setting the Stage for a Record-Breaking Production.

Brad Pitt is embarking on an ambitious film project which promises to be one of the most expensive in cinema history. This as-yet-untitled film is directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for his work on Top Gun: Maverick, and co-written by Ehren Kruger. Initially announced in 2021, this feature film features a fictional Formula 1 driver who comes out of retirement to become a mentor and teammate of a young driver within the Apex Grand Prix team. To cover your costs and hope to make a significant profit, the film will have to bring in a minimum of 600 million dollars!

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The reasons for such a budget for this film

In addition to Brad Pitt, the film brings together an A-list cast including Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Lewis Hamilton, Javier Bardem and Sarah Niles. However, the project faces major challenges, notably due to a budget that has reportedly skyrocketed, exceeding $300 million, according to journalist Matthew Belloni of Puck. This astronomical sum would make it one of the most expensive films ever made, which complicates its release.

Several factors explain the reasons for such a cost. First, production began in July 2023, just before a 118-day strike by SAG-AFTRA began, causing significant delays. Like other productions disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, these delays are responsible for a considerable increase in costs. In addition, like Top Gun: Maverick, the film features real actors, here in real racing cars. Brad Pitt himself drove a Formula 2 car modified with a Formula 1 aero package in the British Grand Prix, although it was not an official Formula 1 race. This approach requires extensive training and enhanced safety protocols, which naturally increases production costs.

Big ambitions and big expectations!

This budget of 300 million dollars is largely based on the notoriety of Brad Pitt. As the best-known star in the cast, the production is banking on her appeal to attract audiences. Here is the list of the most expensive films made:

1. Star Wars, Episode VII: The Force Awakens, released in 2015, $447,000,000
2. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, released in 2018, $432,000,000
3. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, released in 2019, $416,000,000
4. Fast X, released in 2023, $379,000,000

3 other films are listed at $300 million: Justice League, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and Indiana Jones and The Clock of Destiny.

Director Joseph Kosinski could be a major asset to the film. Also being behind Top Gun: Maverick, he has already demonstrated his ability to attract the general public with real stunts featuring fighter planes. Facing considerable expectations for Maverick as an anticipated sequel, the film grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide, becoming the 12th highest-grossing film of all time.