The shooting of an F1-themed movie, potentially called “Apex” and starring Brad Pitt as veteran racer Sonny Hayes was set to continue in Hungary, according to earlier reports, but Pitt’s Hungaroring appearance is now in question due to a strike of Hollywood actors.
Earlier in July, Brad Pitt was in Silverstone, attending the F1 Grand Prix while also shooting scenes for the movie in a converted F2 car.
According to Hungarian media reports, the star was set to arrive in Hungary for the Hungarian Grand Prix this week. The fictional F1 team in the movie, called ApexGP, was also supposed to have their own garage in the pit lane between real F1 teams.
However, an article published recently by si.com notes that Hollywood actors are now on strike. According to the movie’s shooting schedule, filming is set to continue at Zandvoort in the Netherlands and Spa in Belgium, in case the strike is resolved, which also makes an appearance by Pitt in Hungary doubtful.
The story of Apex revolves around Hayes mentoring up-and-coming racing talent Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, preparing him for the challenges of racing at the highest level.
According to Motorsport.com, the Mercedes AMG Petronas team and seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton are also involved in the project. Hamilton himself is the executive producer of the film, looking to lend the film authenticity and realism.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff himself noted that the team has been involved “pretty early”, adding that they have “sent Brad to a driving school in France, going through the formula cars from F4 all the way up.”
Cover credit: Jay Hirano Photography / Shutterstock.com