Melbourne: Lewis Hamilton revealed Thursday that a sequel to the 2025 blockbuster "F1: The Movie" is officially in development, with the script currently being drafted following the original's massive box-office success.
The first film, which premiered last summer and featured Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, was directed by Joseph Kosinski, the filmmaker behind "Top Gun: Maverick." The production team included Hamilton himself alongside legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
The Creative Process Begins
"We are already working on the first script," the Ferrari driver stated in Melbourne ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Hamilton detailed that initial creative discussions began late last year. "We had our first meeting maybe mid-to-late the second part of the end of the year - me, Jerry and Joe talking about different ideas, different directions that we could go with the script," he said. "So it's really exciting. I'm super excited. Now I've been through it, and it was already very intense the first time going. Now I'm used to it. So I know what to expect."
Legacy of the First Film
The original narrative followed Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a weathered veteran recruited to mentor a struggling Formula One team managed by his former teammate, played by Javier Bardem. The central conflict focused on the friction between Hayes and a gifted but resentful rookie, portrayed by Idris. The film resonated globally, earning more than $630 million at the box office.
"It's been amazing to see how big an impact it's had, how many people have loved the movie," Hamilton remarked. "I'm still getting texts from people who are still only just watching the movie and how it's opened their eyes up to what this sport is about."
Role Behind the Camera
Despite the common pitfalls associated with follow-up films, Hamilton expressed confidence in the returning creative team. "Sequels often aren't always great," he admitted. "But we've got a great team, got a great cast, great writer. So I'm not concerned about that. But we're going to take our time and make sure we get it just the way it needs to be."
When asked if he would consider appearing on screen for the second instalment, Hamilton remained firm in his preference for a behind-the-scenes role.
"I don't really have a lot of desire to be on camera, and I've had loads of opportunities to be in movies," he said. "I really liked the idea of being in the background. It was an amazing experience, and it's so much more enjoyable, I think, than actually being on camera."
With inputs from AFP