Brad Pitt¡¯s new film F1 is expected to take the lead at the global box office this weekend. The movie, which shows Pitt as a retired Formula One driver coaching a young rookie, may earn more than 115 million dollars worldwide in its opening weekend. Reports from Variety and Deadline say the film is off to a flying start.
F1 is made by Apple Original Films and is being released in theatres by Warner Bros. The film has a massive budget of over 200 million dollars. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, the movie hopes to become a global success.
According to Deadline, pre-sales in the United States and Canada are stronger than Brad Pitt¡¯s Bullet Train and even higher than the opening numbers of Ford v Ferrari. The film has already gained good reviews and strong buzz.
Apple has released a few films in theatres before. Some of them had big names and budgets but failed to make profits. Movies like Argylle and Wolfs fell short of expectations. Ridley Scott¡¯s Napoleon performed better, earning over 220 million dollars worldwide.
?Now Apple hopes F1 will bring its first major theatrical win. Variety reports that Apple is also offering a special deal for fans who use Apple Pay. Buyers who book two or more tickets on Fandango will get a 10 dollar discount.
Warner Bros and Apple are working together on the movie¡¯s release and marketing. They are also sharing the costs and profits. With the help of IMAX and premium screens, the film is expected to draw large crowds.
F1 is opening in 78 countries this weekend. These include big markets like the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Korea, and Australia. More countries like Germany, Spain, China and Japan will join soon. The film also had red carpet stops in London, Mexico City, Montreal and Abu Dhabi during Formula One events.
?Deadline says most tickets are being sold for IMAX shows, especially on Thursday and Friday. The film is also playing in Dolby Cinema, premium theatres, and even drive-ins.
According to the publication, the film¡¯s strong link with Formula One has helped it build global attention as the sport is more popular than ever, and that could give F1 a big boost.
Movies about racing do not often perform well in theatres. Ron Howard¡¯s Rush made just under 27 million dollars in the US. Ford v Ferrari did better, opening with 31 million dollars and ending with over 226 million worldwide.
Brad Pitt¡¯s F1 has more action, emotion and speed. Early viewers say it has great visuals and high energy. With the right word of mouth, it could cross the 500 million mark globally and give Apple the win it has been chasing.
Variety says this could be a new chapter for Apple in the world of films. Deadline calls it a true popcorn movie made for the big screen. The weekend ahead will show if fans agree.