The Road Not Taken: Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise's Near-Collaboration on 'Ford v Ferrari'

In a fascinating twist of cinematic fate, the roles that ultimately went to Matt Damon and Christian Bale in the acclaimed film "Ford v Ferrari" were initially intended for the star duo of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. This revelation comes as the film's producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, confirmed plans for a sequel following the massive success of the recent film, which has sparked speculation about a potential reunion of these two Hollywood icons.

The surge in popularity of racing films, particularly after the success of "F1", has reignited interest in a collaboration that hasn't occurred since the 1994 film "Interview with the Vampire". Bruckheimer announced in February 2026 that work on a sequel is underway, with Brad Pitt confirmed to be involved and Lewis Hamilton contributing to the story's development.

However, the prospect of Pitt and Cruise sharing the screen again remains uncertain, as both actors have expressed interest but no concrete plans have been established. IndieWire pointed out that the duo was initially slated to portray the lead characters in "Ford v Ferrari" during its early development stages under director Joseph Kosinski, before James Mangold took the helm and brought the film to fruition.

Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Pitt shared insights into why the project did not materialize with him and Cruise. He stated, "Tom and I, for a while, were working on Ford v Ferrari with Joe [Kosinski directing]. It was about ten years before the directors who made it – and made it an excellent film."

20th Century Fox

Pitt elaborated on the challenges that led to the abandonment of their collaboration, noting, "In the end, we both wanted to drive, and [Tom] wanted to play Shelby, and I wanted to be Ken Miles. When Tom realized that Carroll Shelby wouldn’t be driving much in the film, it didn’t work out. I don’t know how that will work in a potential F1 sequel, but we’ll try. I’d love to."

Speculations on a Reunion in the F1 Sequel

Despite the earlier failed collaboration on "Ford v Ferrari", Kosinski has not ruled out the possibility of finally pairing the two stars in a sequel to "F1". He envisions a connection between Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, and Cruise’s Cole Trickle from the 1990 film "Days of Thunder".

"Well, for now, it would be Cole Trickle, Cruise’s character in 'Days of Thunder'. We discover that he and Sonny Hayes [Brad Pitt] have a shared history. They were rivals at one point, maybe they crossed paths," Kosinski suggested enthusiastically. He concluded, "Who wouldn’t pay to see those two go head-to-head on a racetrack?"

Brad Pitt's Aspirations for the Sequel

As discussions about a sequel progress, Pitt has already articulated his desires for the film. He expressed a longing to experience the thrill of driving again, which was a significant part of the first film's appeal, while also allowing a new generation to shine.

"I’d selfishly like to drive again… F1 remains the focus. It should be Joshua Pierce – the character played by Damson Idris – and the rest of the team fighting for a championship. What’s Sonny’s place? I’m not sure. Sonny is probably on the Salt Flats of Bonneville, breaking speed records or something like that. I’m not quite sure what that will look like yet," he remarked.

Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple Original Films

Success Paves the Way for a Sequel

The overwhelming success of "F1" has set the stage for a sequel, with the film grossing $161 million globally in its opening week, marking it as Apple’s first major box office hit. Pitt expressed his delight at the diverse audience turnout, noting, "My greatest joy – what makes me smile – is seeing families, kids to grandparents, large groups of friends coming together and taking pictures in front of the poster or the car. It’s rare for a film to achieve such a level of reaction, especially nowadays. I think the value of entertainment can sometimes outweigh the value of the film itself. And I think that’s what’s happening here."

While fans await confirmation on whether Tom Cruise will join Brad Pitt in a future "F1" installment, they can still enjoy "Ford v Ferrari", available on Disney+, while "F1® LE FILM" is streaming on Canal+.