Apple has officially greenlit a sequel to “F1” following the film’s strong theatrical performance and awards-season visibility. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed the development during the annual Academy Awards luncheon in Los Angeles, noting that the project is moving forward under Apple Studios after months of industry speculation.
The original “F1” grossed $633 million worldwide, a notable figure for a racing drama with a reported production budget that may have approached $400 million. While exact cost estimates vary, the film’s global box office suggests that audiences responded to its large-scale approach to Formula One racing and character-driven sports storytelling. At 156 minutes, the film leaned into familiar underdog and redemption arcs, pairing them with immersive track sequences designed to replicate the intensity of live motorsport.
Brad Pitt’s involvement was central to the film’s marketing and reception, and although no casting announcements have been made, it is widely expected that he will return for the sequel. Bruckheimer described the collaboration positively, adding that the journey to complete the first film was complicated by industry strikes that disrupted production schedules across Hollywood.
The sequel’s creative direction, plot details, and timeline remain undisclosed. However, given the original’s emphasis on practical racing footage and access to real-world Formula One environments, expectations are likely to focus on whether the follow-up can expand the narrative without repeating the same competitive arc.
The commercial performance of “F1” also carried competitive weight during the summer box office season. It reportedly outgrossed “Superman” by approximately $15 million, reinforcing that sports dramas—when packaged as large-scale cinematic events—can compete with traditional superhero fare. For Apple, which continues to expand its theatrical ambitions, the film marked one of its most visible big-screen successes to date.
Director Joseph Kosinski, who helmed “F1,” has several projects in development. Among them is “Top Gun 3,” which he is co-writing with Ehren Kruger, as well as an untitled UFO conspiracy thriller for Apple Studios. A reboot of “Miami Vice,” reportedly starring Austin Butler and Michael B. Jordan, is also scheduled to begin production this summer. Whether Kosinski will return to direct the “F1” sequel has not yet been formally confirmed, though continuity behind the camera would be consistent with the franchise’s technical ambitions.
The decision to greenlight a sequel underscores Apple’s continued investment in large-scale theatrical releases. While the company’s overall valuation places individual film budgets in perspective, sustained audience engagement will ultimately determine whether “F1” evolves into a long-term franchise or remains a high-profile standalone success with a single follow-up.
