Damson Idris, best known for his role in “Snowfall,” recently opened up about his experience filming alongside Brad Pitt and actual Formula 1 drivers for the eagerly awaited F1 movie directed by Joseph Kosinski. In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, Idris recounted his audition process and his first day on set after landing the role of Joshua Pearce, who teams up with Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, at the fictional racing team APXGP.
Reflecting on his initial day of filming at the British Grand Prix, Idris said, “I look to my left, it’s Brad Pitt. I look to my right, it’s Javier Bardem. I look at my hands, they’re shaking.” He added, “And we shoot all of this epic stuff and all the amazing drivers are there, from Lewis [Hamilton] to [Max] Verstappen to everyone.”
The movie follows Sonny Hayes, a former driver coming out of retirement to mentor and partner with the younger Joshua Pearce. The involvement of Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time F1 world champion and current driver for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team, as a producer on the film, adds an authentic touch to the storyline.
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Idris shared his intense experiences filming inside the race cars, notably under the scorching Abu Dhabi sun. “I was in the car for 45 minutes today,” he said. “It sounds normal, but it’s not. It’s very hot out here. You’re strapped in, sweating through the helmet. You lose so much weight.”
Before donning the APXGP racing suit, Idris had to demonstrate his driving prowess to director Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. He described the nerve-wracking test at Silverstone Circuit in the U.K., recounting, “It was wet that day, I’ll never forget. I was like, oh my gosh, please don’t crash. One, because you’ll probably die, but two, more importantly, you won’t get the part.”
Having spent a year filming and with the movie’s first teaser trailer recently released, Idris praised Kosinski’s directorial approach. “He is a director’s director,” Idris said. “He is the epitome of cinema in my opinion.
The feeling I felt when I walked out of Top Gun was how I felt when I was a kid and I watched E.T. or Star Wars. Those movies are just defined by one thing: entertainment. Everyone, no matter what your background, could come and watch this film.… His process is amazing.”
Working with Oscar-winner Brad Pitt left a lasting impression on Idris. “Talk about a superstar,” Idris remarked. “His humility is second to none. I don’t know if people know this, but he is really good behind that car. Really good. Too good almost. He makes me nervous how good he is.”
With such an ensemble cast and the blend of real F1 elements, the upcoming F1 movie promises to deliver high-octane excitement and drama to audiences worldwide.
