Brad Pitt recently disclosed that he and Tom Cruise were once set to star in the racing drama Ford v Ferrari, but creative differences halted the project nearly a decade before the final film was made. Speaking to The National, Pitt explained that both actors wanted to play lead roles behind the wheel, which created an impasse in casting.
“Tom and I, for a while there, were on Ford v Ferrari with Joe [to direct],”
Pitt said.
“This was about 10 years before the guys who actually made it – and made it a great movie.”
Role Conflicts Derail Cruise’s Involvement
The disagreement centered around the two main characters: Ken Miles, the driver, and Carroll Shelby, the car designer. Pitt wanted to take on the role of Ken Miles, while Cruise aimed to portray Shelby. However, when Cruise learned that Shelby’s character would have limited driving scenes in the film, he decided not to continue with the project.
“What it came down to is that we both wanted to drive, and he wanted to play Shelby, and I wanted to play Ken Miles. And when Tom realized that Carroll Shelby would not be driving much in the movie, it didn’t come through,”
Pitt revealed.
Ultimately, the roles were awarded to Christian Bale as Ken Miles and Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby, with James Mangold directing the successful 2019 release.
Reflecting on Past Collaborations and Future Prospects
Pitt and Cruise’s last shared screen appearance was in 1994’s Interview with the Vampire, adapted from Anne Rice’s novel. The possibility of the two actors reuniting in a racing context has caught Pitt’s attention, who expressed interest in driving again for a potential sequel. Yet, he acknowledged narrative challenges in extending his character Sonny’s story.
“I would want to drive again, selfishly speaking,”
Pitt said, but questioned how the character would fit into a follow-up.
“Where does Sonny fit in? I’m not sure. Sonny’s probably out on the Bonneville Salt Flats, setting speed records or something like that. So I’m not sure beyond that, just yet.”
The Significance of This Unfinished Chapter
The behind-the-scenes dynamics between Pitt and Cruise highlight how casting ambitions can influence major film projects, especially when both actors seek compelling, active roles. Their near-collaboration on Ford v Ferrari offers insight into the complexities of aligning star power with storytelling priorities. Though they did not reunite for this film, the possibility of future joint ventures remains open, with fans eager to see them share the screen once more.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. When was Tom Cruise diagnosed?
A. When Tom Cruise was seven, he found out he had dyslexia, a learning disorder impacting reading skills. This made reading difficult for him in high school and early acting jobs. Despite this challenge, Cruise didn’t let his condition stop his dreams.
Q. What is Tom Cruise’s religion?
A. Beyond his work in movies, Cruise is known for strongly supporting the Church of Scientology, which has led to some public debate and examination of his role in it. He also loves flying and has been a licensed pilot since 1994.
Q. What syndrome does Tom Cruise have?
A. Tom Cruise discovered that with dedication, he could tackle the difficulties of dyslexia. Even though reading was hard, he followed his dream of becoming an actor. Interestingly, he realized that acting made dealing with dyslexia easier.
Q. Does Tom Cruise have any disabilities?
A. Tom Cruise has difficulty reading because he was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was 7 years old. During both high school and the start of his acting career, he struggled a lot with reading. It was especially tough for him to read scripts for his acting roles.
