F1 Star Javier Bardem Finally Sets the Record Straight on Action Sequel Comeback

If you thought Tom Cruise flying jets was as high-octane as it gets, turns out director Joseph Kosinski happily disagrees. After injecting new life into Top Gun with Maverick, Kosinski went full throttle again with F1 the Movie. The film’s not just another actioner either; it racked up serious box office for Apple (something you don’t hear every day), scored strong reviews, picked up an Oscar nod for Best Picture, and actually managed to win for Best Sound. You can practically smell the petrol and popcorn.

What’s Happening with the Sequel?

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer—basically the bloke with his name on every blockbuster in the last thirty years—let slip earlier this year that they’re working on a follow-up. Thing is, in true Hollywood fashion, the details are almost non-existent. We’re all expecting fast cars and big names, but so far, the rumour mill’s been running hotter than any engine they’ve got on set.

Javier Bardem Weighs In (Sort Of...)

Enter Javier Bardem, who plays the team owner in the first film and obviously gets asked about the sequel every time he rocks up to an interview. Chatting to MovieWeb about his new series Cape Fear, Bardem couldn’t resist a bit of a laugh:

'Oh yeah. And not only that, I'm driving the car. But before that, I have to get my driving license, so it's gonna be a few years until we get that sequel.'

Jokes aside, Bardem did admit he’d heard a bit of sequel chatter—nothing official, mind you—and if the call comes, he’s straight back in the pit lane:

'The only thing that I would say is that I will be there in a minute. I would love to do that. Oh yeah, great, great crew.'

So he’s up for it, but safe to say it’s all a bit wishful at the minute. The fact Bardem knows about the rumours at least suggests there’s some smoke, even if no one’s rolling out actual plans yet.

Bruckheimer and the Not-Exactly-Concrete Update

Earlier this year, Bruckheimer gave PEOPLE a bit of an update—if you can call it that. He claims they’re crafting the story, saying:

'We're working on the story. It's really good. We're talking to Lewis Hamilton [co-producer and former Formula One driver]. We're getting it going through him and pitching him the ideas, and see what he thinks.'

As for Brad Pitt coming back as the lead? Bruckheimer kept it vague:

'We'll see. I'm not going to tell you yet.'

Basically, no script, no locked cast, but plenty of optimism.

The Original Cast and Story

• Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula One hero from the ‘90s who’s forced out after a horrendous crash, then lured back to mentor a rookie on the Apex Grand Prix team.
• Javier Bardem as the team owner and friend who coaxes Hayes back onto the circuit.
• Damson Idris as young hot-shot Joshua Pearce, the new talent looking to make his mark.

The original film basically had Pitt’s character taking the rookie under his wing at Bardem’s team. It’s probably fair to say Pitt and Bardem’s chemistry helped power the first film, but let’s be honest—Formula 1 has enough egos and drama to go round, so the sequel could easily follow new drivers if they can’t get the originals back behind the wheel.

Of course, scheduling could be the real sticking point, since both Bardem and Pitt are annoyingly busy (as is always the way). Right now, Bardem could just as easily fill his diary with more of Cape Fear if this film doesn’t materialise on schedule.