The upcoming F1 movie starring American superstar Brad Pitt has a production budget exceeding 300 million dollars, making it the most expensive Hollywood film to date. Due to the high budget, the movie is facing distribution challenges, and as of now, no release date or distributor has been confirmed.
According to reports from “Puck” and “ScreenRant,” the new film “Apex,” directed by Joseph Kosinski, known for “Only the Brave,” has a budget that exceeds 300 million dollars. However, due to profitability challenges, it would need to gross at least 750 million dollars at the box office to break even, leading to various difficulties in finding a distributor. Despite being produced for Apple, the film has yet to secure a distributor and its release date remains uncertain.
The reasons for the increased budget of the movie include reshoots, a 118-day delay due to a strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), as well as the extensive training and safety measures required for using real cars and drivers in the film. Additionally, Pitt drives a modified Formula 2 race car equipped with 15 miniaturized, mobile 6K resolution cameras, aiming to immerse the audience in the cockpit, a filmmaking technique never before used in movies.
In general, for a movie to break even, the box office earnings should be at least 2 to 2.5 times the production budget, while to turn a profit, it needs to be 2.5 to 3 times the budget. For a film with a 300 million dollar budget, it would require over 900 million dollars in global box office revenue to have a chance at profitability. Currently, there are only 71 films worldwide that have surpassed the 900 million dollar mark, presenting a significant challenge for the release of “Apex.”
Previously reported by foreign media, “Apex” was expected to be released by the end of 2024 or early 2025. While Apple has begun booking IMAX theaters, the release date and distributor are still undecided. Sony and Warner Bros. Pictures are potential contenders for distribution rights, with discussions ongoing.
As reported by “Puck,” the distribution cost for the F1 movie is exorbitant, with each party involved demanding a substantial upfront payment, making it unattractive to traditional studios. Ironically, Apple has been inquiring with potential film distributors about when the movie can be released.
The story of “Apex” follows a retired veteran race car driver (played by Pitt) who joins a rookie team and mentors a young driver (played by Damson Idris), together challenging top-tier racing teams.