Apple CEO: "F1" movie sequel discussions are underway after immense success

Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed that a sequel to the successful F1 movie is being discussed after such a strong theatrical performance. 

The movie, released in late June, was produced by Apple Original Films with direction from Joseph Kosinski, and has now been made available on streaming platforms and on DVD and Blu-ray.

"It's definitely something that's being talked about," Cook said in conversation with Variety at the Emmys. "It's been such a huge summer blockbuster for us. We're so proud of it.

"The talent involved are such next level, and Brad [Pitt] did such a wonderful job acting in it. We're super proud of it, and we can't wait to bring it to the surface."

Starring Brad Pitt as Formula 1 driver Sonny Hayes returning to the grid after a long hiatus and Damson Idris as young rookie Joshua Pearce, alongside countless other big names, the movie has grossed over $600million since its release, becoming Pitt and Apple's most successful movie to date. 

It opened to $55.6million in North America and $144million worldwide, but by mid-September, soon rocketed to approximately $189.3million in the US and Canada. IMAX added another stream of success, with the premium large-format screens adding another $85million in ticket sales. 

This early success was further bolstered by strong reviews, with the production currently boasting a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and equally positive reviews coming from critics. 

This also comes amid reports of Apple bidding for F1's broadcast rights as ESPN's contract with the championship comes to an end this year. It is thought that the technology company's success with the film has bolstered its bargaining ability during these ongoing discussions. 

F1 Movie scene

Photo by: Apple

“We announced that we’re doing something with Globo, being back on Globo in Brazil next year,” Liberty Media chief executive Derek Chang said during the Goldman Sachs Communacopia and Technology Conference.

“We announced earlier this year that we had renewed our rights in Canada [with Bell Media]. I think we’ve got discussions ongoing in several of the major markets that we will have clarity to here relatively soon.

“Much like the US, I think this is a holistic sort of view of traditionally what’s been known as your media partner, but I don’t know if it’s necessarily a media partner per se in a classic sense of someone who’s just broadcasting your race. It is someone who can help fans access your content beyond the race.”

He continued: “It is someone who can help your fans interact with even your sponsors. It’s all of that. I think the guys that are looking forward and sort of view that as part of their own playbook and what we can do to enhance that for them are ones that we want to try to do business with.”