The Empire Film Podcast F1: An Empire Podcast Interview Special ft. Jerry Bruckheimer, Damson Idris & Kerry Condon
Dec 12, 2025
In this engaging conversation, legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer shares insights on the challenges of making a realistic racing film, inspired by his collaboration with Lewis Hamilton. British actor Damson Idris details his intense preparation, including driving tests and hands-on experiences during real Grand Prix events. Irish actress Kerry Condon discusses her fascinating research with actual strategists to capture authenticity on screen. Together, they offer a captivating look at the making of a blockbuster racing movie.
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Unknown Sport, Huge Word-Of-Mouth Lift
- Jerry Bruckheimer observed most Americans didn't know F1 before the film, so entry was the main challenge.
- Once audiences saw the movie, word-of-mouth drove sustained box-office legs worldwide.
How The Project Really Started
- The project began when Joe Kaczynski pitched a story inspired by Drive to Survive and Lewis Hamilton agreed to be involved.
- Brad Pitt insisted on actually driving, and Apple greenlit the plan to film races authentically.
Proof-of-Concept Won F1 Access
- Bruckheimer used Top Gun Maverick footage to prove Joe Kaczynski could film real-world high-stakes action.
- That demo convinced F1 teams and principals to permit filming at real Grands Prix.
