Brad Pitt's high-stakes return thrills in new racing drama 'Apex'
A retired race car driver returns to the track to become a mentor to a younger colleague and fight for fame and glory one last time. Sounds like a brief summary of the 2001 film "Driven" starring Sylvester Stallone. However, it is a description of the new production "Apex," starring Brad Pitt.
6:19 PM EDT, June 18, 2024
Brad Pitt has been a frequent guest at Formula 1 races in Europe for years, as if sensing that one day he would play a race car driver. This possibility only emerged as the Hollywood star was approaching his 60th birthday. Therefore, he will play the role of a retired champion who supports a younger team partner while trying to close unresolved matters from the past.
It is already known that "Apex" will be one of the most expensive films in history, with over $300 million spent on its production. Like "Napoleon" or "Killers of the Flower Moon," it is expected to become one of the Apple TV+ streaming platform attractions, but it will first be shown in theaters for at least a month. Apple has also agreed with the IMAX network to secure the film's presence on large-format screens.
"Apex" is being compared to "Top Gun: Maverick" in a car-themed version. The script structure is similar (veteran vs. rebellious youths) and Joseph Kosinski directs both films. Additionally, the scenes were filmed on the famous Silverstone track.
As mentioned, "Apex" will be one of the most expensive productions in history, so a box office success would be very beneficial. It is worth remembering, however, that car racing films (excluding the "Fast and Furious" series) are typically not very popular. Even the most acclaimed ones, such as "Rush" from 2013 about the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda, "Ford v Ferrari" from 2019, or last year's "Ferrari" by Michael Mann, had limited success.
One should also remember the spectacular failure of the 2001 film "Driven," which led to the downfall of one of the biggest movie stars. Sylvester Stallone took many years to rebuild his position in Hollywood. The " Apex " theatrical release is scheduled for June 25, 2025.
