Lewis Hamilton teases animated film ideas after $629M success of F1: The Movie

Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he is working on a couple of animated movie ideas after the blockbuster success of F1: The Movie. The Ferrari driver was an executive producer for the Jerry Bruckheimer and Apple Original Films production, which grossed $629.5 million worldwide (as per Box Office Mojo, an IMDbPro product), with a 30%-70% split between the US and international revenue.

Brad Pitt played the protagonist, Sonny Hayes, an aging driver who returned to F1 after a 30-year absence to aid the revival of APXGP, a fictional 11th team on the grid owned by his former teammate. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the movie arrived at a crucial juncture for F1, which was experiencing an international boom, and contributed significantly to the upward trend.

Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton helped the producers open doors in the world of F1. His ex-team, Mercedes, helped Brad Pitt get the necessary training in F4, F3, and F2 cars, and crucial racing scenes were shot during live F1 race weekends.

While hardcore F1 fans found F1: The Movie had several unrealistic scenarios that one wouldn't come across in the sport, casual fans loved it. The revenue spoke for itself, and on the heels of that magnificent success, Hamilton has revealed the upcoming film projects he's working on. In an exclusive interview with Ferrari, the Briton said:

"We have some ideas. I’m in the process of figuring it out, but storytelling is something I’m really passionate about. More than ever, we need inspirational stories out there, given the dark times we live in. I love comedy, and I’ve got a particular idea for a television show." "I’m working on a couple of animation movie ideas, and we’re getting sent so much stuff since the F1 movie happened, it’s crazy," Lewis Hamilton added. "But it’s not about doing lots and lots of projects. It’s more like Quentin Tarantino does it - quality rather than quantity."

In August, F1: The Movie became the highest-grossing sports movie of all time, surpassing Cars 2, with $570 million worldwide. The joint financial and intangible success that Apple and F1 built also served as proof of concept for its latest partnership. Apple recently bought the rights to exclusively broadcast the series in the US on a five-year deal beginning in 2026. Apple is reportedly paying over $140 million a year for the rights that ESPN held until now.

Lewis Hamilton and producer Jerry Bruckheimer working on ideas for 'F1' sequel

Lewis Hamilton with Jerry Bruckheimer at the F1 Grand Prix of Miami - Sprint & Qualifying - Source: Getty

American film and TV producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who helmed F1: The Movie, recently revealed that he met Lewis Hamilton a couple of weeks ago to discuss ideas for a sequel to the blockbuster film. Bruckheimer's notable productions include Top Gun and the Pirates of the Caribbean series.

In a recent interview with Forbes, the 82-year-old spoke about the F1 movie's success. When asked about its sequel, he said:

"We met with Lewis Hamilton a couple of weeks ago and started talking about some ideas."

The cinematography of F1: The Movie was its standout feature, with Apple hailed for its usage of multiple high-tech cameras that captured breathtaking shots from different perspectives. During the SAG-AFTRA Foundation post-screening panel, Lewis Hamilton shared that F1 could benefit greatly if it were to use such gear in its race broadcasts.

Edited by Yash Kotak