Damson Idris

Source: Maarten De Boer

Damson Idris

British rising star Damson Idris has landed a key role opposite Brad Pitt on Apple Original Films’ untitled Formula One tentpole.

The story will see Pitt play a former driver who returns to the sport. Idris will portray Pitt’s teammate for director Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Plan B Entertainment.

Idris’s credits include the lead in FX US television show Snowfall, as well as Farming, for which he earned the award for best performance in a British feature at 2019 Edinburgh Film Festival. His credits include Outside The Wire and the current Amazon show Swarm.

Bruckheimer and Chad Oman of Jerry Bruckheimer Films serve as producers alongside Kosinski, seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton through his Dawn Apollo Films, and Plan B Entertainment.

Copper CEO Penni Thow serves as executive producer and Ehren Kruger wrote the screenplay. 

At time of writing there was no further news about Apple’s theatrical distribution partner on the film.

The company is reportedly funding $1bn for producing theatrical films and has set a limited October 6 and wide October 20 release date with Paramount on Martin Scorsese’s upcoming Cannes selection Killers Of The Flower Moon.

Sony is the distribution partner on Ridley Scott’s Napoleon starring Joaquin Phoenix, which will open on November 22. Screen understands the filmmakers do not favour a world premiere festival slot.

The F1 project marks Apple Studios’ second feature with Pitt and Plan B Entertainment who are partnering on an untitled film to be directed by Jon Watts and co-starrs George Clooney.