A whole new franchise might be in the works after the success of the Formula One movie.
As champagne flowed in celebration of the Formula One film’s roaring success, Apple Studios may have found itself at the starting line of a burgeoning movie franchise. Just days after the high-octane drama “F1” crossed the finish line with an impressive box office debut, industry insiders and fans alike are already revving up rumors of a sequel.
The film, led by Brad Pitt in the role of Sonny Hayes, opened to $57 million in North America and a stunning $146.3 million globally. Despite its steep $250 million production price tag, those initial figures represent a major win for Apple’s film division, which has previously struggled to turn its cinematic ambitions into box office gold. While Pitt's gritty performance and director Joseph Kosinski’s cinematic eye delivered a compelling first installment, the discussion in Hollywood boardrooms and online fan forums suggests that the story of Apex GP may just be getting started.
Apple Finally Finds A Gear That Works
Apple's entry into the movie business has been, at best, a winding road. Its previous theatrical efforts – Scorsese’s "Killers of the Flower Moon" and Ridley Scott’s "Napoleon" – earned prestige but failed to translate into commercial success. More recently, films like "Fly Me to the Moon" and "Argylle" were met with tepid receptions. With its theatrical credibility on shaky ground, Apple even scaled back the release of this year’s “Wolfs,” a crime thriller starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, amid fears of another flop.
“F1,” however, marks a sharp departure from that trend. Analysts believe this film may finally represent the formula Apple has long sought – a crowd-pleasing, adult-targeted blockbuster with wide international appeal.
“This is going to be Apple’s biggest box office success by a long shot,” said David A. Gross of FranchiseRe, a consulting firm that tracks theatrical performance. “It’s the kind of hit they’ve been trying to build for years.”
Apple reportedly committed $1 billion annually to theatrical releases back in 2023, but until now, that promise had yet to fully materialize. After the upcoming release of Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest” through A24, Apple’s 2025 and 2026 calendars remain relatively quiet – though several projects, including Ryan Reynolds' “Mayday” and a mysterious UFO film from Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, are quietly in the works.
Still, it’s “F1” that appears to be reigniting Apple’s cinematic engines – and insiders now hint that a sequel is already being discussed behind closed doors.
Rumblings Of A Return To The Track
Sources close to the production reveal that conversations about a follow-up film are already underway. No formal greenlight has been given yet, but given the commercial momentum and fan enthusiasm, a sequel seems increasingly probable. The filmmakers – including Kosinski and Bruckheimer – are said to be exploring multiple narrative paths, though nothing has been locked in.
A sequel would likely explore the evolving dynamics at Apex GP or dive deeper into the high-pressure world of motorsport politics, technology, and rivalries. Whether Pitt would return in front of the camera is also unclear, though the story could potentially shift to focus on new characters while maintaining continuity with the first film’s tone and style.
Online fan communities, especially over on the F1 game's Subreddit, are already fueling speculation with creative pitches and wishlists.
Reddit’s Grid Of Ideas
User Disastrous-Beat-9830 proposed adapting Braking Point 2, a popular storyline from the official F1 2023 video game. He praised the emotional depth and character conflict, suggesting a similar narrative for the big screen:
“Devon had to wrestle with the growing realisation that he would never achieve the success he so desperately wanted... it explored how the pressure of Formula 1 can destroy a friendship and change a person. I’d love to see something like that – two rookies, a tight friendship from F2, torn apart when they enter the brutal world of F1.”
Another user, sosigkerb, envisioned a time jump:
“Two years later, Sonny is now the team principal. JP’s just won his first World Championship, but the team needs a hot-headed rookie to replace an injured driver. Enter a young Fernando Alonso. Does he have what it takes to handle the pressure and legacy?”
However, not everyone believes there’s enough material left for a fresh story. Redditor CX52J argued that the first film already borrowed heavily from real-life F1 drama:
“They pulled from all the big moments – Grosjean’s crash, Abu Dhabi 2021, Rosberg vs. Hamilton, even that Lewis Hamilton final-boss moment. A sequel might struggle to find new high-stakes beats.”
So What Comes Next?
Whether Apple moves full speed ahead or pumps the brakes remains to be seen. Producing “F1” was a years-long effort that involved shooting at real races, coordinating with the FIA, and blending real-world and fictional teams in a seamless narrative. Replicating that feat won’t be easy. But if the fan demand and early financial returns are any indication, Apple may not want to let this engine cool down just yet.
The studio’s next moves could define the future of its film division. Will it double down on theatrical filmmaking with more blockbuster-style originals, or stay cautious and selective?
For now, what’s clear is that “F1” has crossed a crucial threshold – for Apple, for fans, and perhaps for the future of Formula One storytelling on screen.