Cinema

The iconic movie that almost starred Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt but found success a decade later

The director of ‘Top Gun Maverick’ and ‘F1: The Movie’ recalls when he wanted to bring the two together in his own film.

Alejandro Castillo Roddy Cons

Update: Feb 10th, 2026 15:10 EST

Joseph Kosinski has a knack for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. From the adrenaline of “Top Gun: Maverick” to the high-speed thrills of “F1: The Movie”, he consistently proves that Tom Cruise - and now Brad Pitt - can deliver unforgettable performances. But Kosinski’s fascination with racing and star-studded projects goes back further than you might think. At one point, he said he wanted to make a film that would bring Cruise and Pitt together, a project that ultimately went in a completely different direction.

The movie that could have paired Cruise and Pitt

That project was “Ford v Ferrari”. Kosinski pitched an ambitious concept centered on the legendary 1960s motorsport rivalry, with each star leading a different team. He said the plan was for Cruise and Pitt to handle their own driving in the race sequences, creating a genuine, high-octane showdown on screen, according to Variety.

Budget doubts and Hollywood realities

Despite the excitement around the idea, Kosinski said producers were hesitant. The budget was enormous, which wasn’t surprising to fans of his cinematic style. Years later, Apple and other backers would approve the similarly high-stakes budget for “F1: The Movie”, ultimately casting Brad Pitt in the lead role.

The project finds a new life

Kosinski said his original project eventually went to James Mangold, known for “Logan” and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”. Mangold chose a different leading duo: Christian Bale and Matt Damon. Released in 2019, the film earned a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that it still reached the finish line successfully.

Where to watch ‘Ford v Ferrari’

“Ford v Ferrari” is currently available to stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.