Brad Pitt arrived at the Formula One Grand Prix in Las Vegas on Saturday looking as if he had walked off the set of one of his most famous films 25 years ago.
The 59-year-old Oscar winner, who recently celebrated his first anniversary with girlfriend Ines de Ramon, modeled himself on his bad-boy character Tyler Durden from 1999’s “Fight Club” by sporting cropped sandy blonde hair, a fitted jacket and a wore tinted sunglasses.
Brad topped off his cool look with a high neck and blue jeans, looking every bit the matinee idol who starred as Ed Norton’s alter ego in David Fincher’s masterpiece.
He was spotted entering the paddock at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, with the three-day F1 spectacle billed as the sport’s biggest ever event.
Brad was a fixture on the F1 circuit last season, filming the racing drama Apex alongside actors Damson Idris and Javier Bardem, directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski.
Icon: Brad Pitt arrived at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Las Vegas on Saturday looking as if he had walked off the set of one of his most famous films 25 years ago
Like a bad boy: The Oscar winner modeled himself on his bad boy character Tyler Durden from 1999’s Fight Club by sporting short sandy blonde hair, a fitted jacket and tinted sunglasses
Ageless: Brad topped off his cool look with a high neck and blue jeans, looking every bit the matinee idol who starred as Ed Norton’s alter ego in David Fincher’s masterpiece
In the film, Pitt plays an experienced Formula 1 driver who comes out of retirement to train an aspiring driver, played by Idris.
Earlier this week, Formula 1 hit back at claims Brad was forced to scrap “millions of pounds worth of footage” after sponsorship deals were changed following the writers’ strike.
Pitt and his production team had shot hours of footage on location during the first half of the F1 season. The actor was filmed driving a Formula 2 car with an additional Formula 1 aerodynamic package at the Silverstone Circuit in July.
But the actors’ subsequent 118-day strike, which affected nearly two million jobs in the industry by the time it ended in November, put the brakes on any further work on site.
The delay and subsequent agreement between the SAG-AFTRA union and the film studios has since led to a change in sponsorship contracts, according to industry sources, rendering any film already recorded unusable.
However, Formula 1 has now assured Web that the film is back on track.
Pitt, who is co-producing the film with Jerry Bruckheimer and Formula One star Lewis Hamilton, was reportedly forced to scrap tens of millions of pounds worth of valuable footage.
A source told The Sun: “It’s really a nightmare for Brad and the team.” Many events were scheduled for filming throughout the year, which would have helped cut costs, rather than having to recreate high-speed moments and wide shots.
Big event: He was spotted entering the paddock at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, with the three-day F1 spectacle described as the sport’s biggest ever event
Busy Actor: Brad was a fixture on the F1 circuit last season, filming the racing drama Apex alongside actors Damson Idris and Javier Bardem, directed by Joseph Kosinski of Top Gun: Maverick fame
Star power: Brad and Ed Norton lit up the screen in the classic film, which also starred Helena Bonham Carter
Novel idea: Fight Club is based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk
“However, with all the sponsors now changing it, the footage is no longer valid.” It’s disappointing for Brad and Lewis, who see this project as their baby.
“Apple Studios, which is helping produce the film, is less than impressed, but ultimately there’s not much they can do.”
Formula 1 has since responded to the report, with a spokesperson telling Web on Wednesday: “The film is still on schedule for its original release period of 2025.” All footage shot this year is relevant.
“Filming of the 2024 Grand Prix will continue, with Brad and Damson driving real cars on track for racing sequences.” The film will ensure continuity with the 2023 F1 season in terms of footage shot in 2024.
“There are no changes to the film sponsors and everyone is committed for the duration of the project. “The production adjusted its schedule before and during the SAG strike and has been planning to shoot through 2024 for some time.”
Scrapped? Earlier this week, Formula 1 hit back at claims Brad was forced to scrap “millions of pounds worth of footage” after sponsorship deals were changed following the writers’ strike
Rest assured: Formula 1 has now assured Web that the film is back on track
Pitt spent two months familiarizing himself with the Formula 2 machine – first at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France and then at Silverstone.
The Fight Club star will play veteran rider Sonny Hayes, who has come out of retirement to take on the sport’s greatest titans alongside young rookie Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris.
Spanish star Javier Bardem is also expected to appear as Sonny’s APXGP team boss, while Lewis Hamilton is expected to play a role in the film – presumably as himself.
Hamilton recently opened up about the film, saying, “There are nerves because we’ve been working on it for so long.”
“We want everyone to love it and really feel like we embody the essence of this sport.”