Brad Pitt pauses production on his Formula 1 racing movie Apex in solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA strike
Brad Pitt has suspended production on his Formula 1 racing movie Apex amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA Strike.
The Interview with the Vampire star, 59, has been shooting the APPLE TV+ feature in Hungary for the past few weeks.
Though the country falls outside jurisdiction of the Hollywood actors’ union, the Oscar-winner wanted to show solidarity with the actors picketing until the strike is resolved as per The Sun.
‘Brad agreed that they would finish shoots booked in but has postponed planned production over the next two months,’ a source told the publication.
‘Postponing the production was a massive call, especially financially, but Brad has listened to the concerns of the people he works with and wants to show his support,’ the insider added.
Hitting the brakes: Brad Pitt has suspended production on his Formula 1 racing movie Apex amid SAG-AFTRA Strike; Pictured at the Grand Prix in Northampton, England, on July 9, 2023
‘The cast and crew of Apex have been filming in Budapest but Brad has called for the future dates to be put back, in solidarity with everyone striking.’
At the moment production for Apex is likely to resume in November in Las Vegas.
Earlier this month Brad – who stars in the movie and is producing it – arrived at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Silverstone, England, in character as fictional race car driver Sonny Hayes.
The actor looked the part as he donned a white racing suit for the occasion and mingled with the other celebrity spectators to film scenes ahead of the big race.
His suit sported the logos of his characters sponsors and he completed the look with a pair of stylish aviator shades.
A fictional Formula One team garage was also set up for filming during the race.
Pitt later took to the track himself, and reached speeds of a reported 150mph as per Deadline.
Pitt had been getting up to speed in Formula Two machinery for two months – first at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France and then at Silverstone.
In the film, the Fight Club star will play a driver who has come out of retirement to compete alongside a rookie and against the sport’s biggest titans.
Joseph Kosinski, known for his work on Top Gun: Maverick, will direct the film.
On pause: The Interview with the Vampire star, 59, has been shooting the APPLE TV+ feature in Hungary for the past few weeks; Pictured with director Joseph Kosinski
Unity: Though the country falls outside jurisdiction of the Hollywood actors’ union, the Oscar-winner wanted to show solidarity with the actors picketing until the strike is resolved
Two-month hiatus: At the moment production for Apex is likely to resume in November in Las Vegas; Pitt pictured at Silverstone Circuit in July
Preparing: The Hollywood heartthrob was seen attending the Austin Grand Prix on October 23, 2022, where he appeared to be preparing for the role by studying the sport
Dispute ongoing: Hollywood actors went on strike earlier this month after talks with studios broke down, joining film and television writers who have been on picket lines since May; this images shows a picket line in Los Angeles
Formula One star Lewis Hamilton will co-produce it alongside Plan B Entertainment and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
Hamilton recently spoke about the film, saying: ‘There are nerves because it is something we’ve been working on for so long.
‘We want everyone to love it and to really feel that we encapsulate what the essence of this sport is all about.’
Apple has bought the rights to the movie, marking its second feature film with Pitt, with him also starring in thriller Wolves alongside George Clooney.
Hollywood actors went on strike earlier this month after talks with studios broke down, joining film and television writers who have been on picket lines since May and deepening the disruption of scores of shows and movies.
The last time both actors and writers were on strike together was in 1960, when Ronald Regan was the Actors’ Guild president.
WGA has been on strike since May 2.
