Why Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise Backed Out of Ford v Ferrari Roles

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Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise’s recent reunion nearly happened more than a decade earlier.

At the June premiere of Brad’s new film F1 in London, the two actors exchanged a warm hug – their first public display of affection after 24 years apart. Interestingly, they were initially set to collaborate on a different movie with a racing theme, professionally, in an earlier script.

In an interview with The National, published on July 2nd, Brad mentioned that for some time, he and Tom had been associated with the production of “Ford v Ferrari,” which later turned out to be a fantastic film. However, it was approximately 10 years before the individuals who ultimately brought it to life were involved in the project.

Indeed, prior to Matt Damon and Christian Bale being chosen for the 2019 film that eventually earned two Oscars and a Best Picture nomination, Tom, aged 63, and Brad, aged 61, had discussions about playing the lead roles. However, the negotiations encountered some difficulties.

Essentially, Brad clarified that we both had a shared desire to take control of the vehicle. He aspired to portray Carroll Shelby, while I aimed for Ken Miles. However, when Tom understood that Carroll Shelby wouldn’t be driving extensively in the film, it failed to resonate with him.

Despite having worked together in “Interview With the Vampire” back in 1994 and now being an Oscar winner, he expressed a willingness to collaborate with his longtime friend Tom again, possibly in a follow-up to their previous project, or even an F1 sequel.

“I’m not sure how that’s going to work,” he noted, “but we’ll give it a go. I’d love to.”

Yet, it was evident that Brad had specified only one circumstance under which he would collaborate with the high-octane action actor again.

He told TopMob News last month that he won’t be doing something as extreme as skydiving and defecating, instead expressing his preference for working with Tom on a ground-based project when he starts a new venture.

Keep scrolling to read about more of Hollywood’s most enduring bromances.

Overflowing with luck, the recent acquaintances have experienced a significant boost in their friendship as they jointly purchased the historic Welsh football club, Wrexham A.F.C., and successfully returned it to the English Football League following a single season of new management.

McElhenney shared with People magazine in August that he now considers Reynolds among his dearest friends, and amazingly enough, they weren’t acquainted just three years prior.

In the realm of television entertainment, I found myself deeply moved by an exceptional performance delivered by McElhenney on a specific episode of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Impulsed by this emotion, I decided to drop him a message over DM, expressing my admiration for his acting skills. To my surprise, our conversations became frequent and lively. As time passed, I discovered that owning a soccer team had been McElhenney’s lifelong dream. Little did we know, this shared passion would eventually lead us to embark on a business venture, long before we even crossed paths in person.

Ever since then, their families have developed a remarkably strong bond, as McElhenney put it. “Regardless of living on different coasts, it feels like we’re neighbors rather than miles apart,” he added.

Their Boston-born friendship between the actors has now lasted over 40 years, surpassing the influence of celebrity and the success they achieved together with their 1998 Academy Award for the screenplay of “Good Will Hunting.

In the year 2022, they ultimately decided to combine their efforts and establish their very own production house, named Artists Equity. This move not only provided them with more opportunities for socializing but also enabled them to create top-tier films.

At the premiere of the Air-Jordan biopic Air, Affleck told TopMob News, “If fortune favors you, you can collaborate with those you admire, making each day feel less like work and more like a joy.

The cast of Scrubs maintains a strong bond even after their television acting contracts ended, and their unique energy is still evident in their commercial work and popular rewatch podcast titled Fake Doctors, Real Friends.

In a conversation with British GQ in 2020, Faison expressed that he knew they would become best friends after the first season, as they shared an apartment in New York and spent their evenings playing table tennis in their undergarments.

The bond of their friendship carries a lasting impact. Faison further commented, “Perhaps we demonstrated that it’s alright for men to express a bit of sensitivity.” He continued, “It’s okay for friends to express affection, like saying ‘I love you.’ For a considerable time, such expressions were often perceived negatively. We may not have been the first ‘bromance’, but we definitely set the standard for what a ‘bromance’ should be, as we are very open and comfortable with each other.

These friends, who have known each other for over three decades, are typically captured celebrating on a yacht from a distance. However, every now and then, they don jackets and pose for an official photographer at an organized event.

In the year 2013, during their collaboration on “The Great Gatsby“, Maguire expressed to People magazine that he and DiCaprio were much like any other close friends.

He mentioned that there is plenty of laughter and conversation among us. We share many interests, particularly basketball. Not only do we enjoy playing it together, but we also love discussing our shared passion for the sport.

Despite the playful rivalry between them gaining momentum and becoming more noticeable in recent years, particularly through social media, their friendship can be traced back to when Reynolds first introduced his Deadpool character in 2009’s “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” one of Jackman’s numerous appearances as the swift-healing super-mutant.

Meanwhile, though their eagerly anticipated meeting in Deadpool 3 is delayed due to the prolonged SAG-AFTRA strike, they are still spending time together. This includes attending a specific New York Jets game where a popular musician was seen supporting a player from the rival team.

After a quarter-century of camaraderie, the threesome brainstormed and launched the podcast titled “SmartLess“. It was an idea born out of necessity, as setting up a banana stand seemed less appealing.

Bateman expressed to USA Today that they have a deep affection for each other, as evident in their Max docuseries SmartLess: On the Road. He stated, “I feel like I’m at my best when I’m with them. I show more of myself than I do with most people, aside from family.

Waiting for Godot wasn’t as grueling existentially when these long-time friends performed together on the West End in 2009 and later reunited on Broadway in 2013. Notably, McKellen officiated at Stewart’s wedding to Sunny Ozell just a month before their Broadway performance.

Although they crossed paths as classically trained British actors two decades prior, McKellen and Stewart didn’t form a strong connection until they portrayed Magneto and Professor X in the year 2000’s X-Men movie.

Stewart reminisced on Wired’s YouTube series “Web’s Most Searched Questions,” stating that their trailers were next to each other. In movies like these, the actors spend more time in their trailers than in front of the camera. So, Ian and I often spent time together, drinking tea (and perhaps stronger beverages in the afternoons), which allowed us to get to know one another better.

Mahomes shared on TODAY that his longtime Kansas City Chiefs teammate and he have a friendship that began due to their shared ambition to win, but they also value living life to the fullest. Essentially, they’ve formed this bond over the idea that they will strive to excel on the field, but they’ll also make sure to savor the journey along the way. They’ve won two Super Bowls together, reinforcing this sentiment.

Translated: “Kelce commented, ‘From the very first day when Pat arrived at the building, it was clear that it would be enjoyable playing alongside him.’

Beyond spirited ping-pong matches at Mahomes’ residence (where “Travis hasn’t managed to beat me yet”), these companions have embarked on trips and attended live shows together. Furthermore, a significant number of Kelce’s old friends have found their way into Mahomes’ regular social circle.

As a lifestyle expert, I can’t help but notice the buzz surrounding Brittany Mahomes, who’s now an honorary member of Taylor Swift’s inner circle, affectionately known as her squad. Their infectious joy, particularly during those exciting touchdown moments, has everyone looking up towards the visitors’ suite with wide-eyed wonder.

In an interview with KCSP, Mahomes joked that he needs to speak with Travis as they haven’t shaken hands yet. Essentially, they are behind in their relationship, and thus, the other party has a head start.

For over two decades that they’ve known each other, Colbert has never had any issues with Stewart. Their friendly dynamic, which grew from their time together on The Daily Show, has remained strong and endured the test of time.

In a 2022 episode of the Late Show, Colbert pointed out, “We’ve never really had a heated debate,” he remarked when his friend was a guest. “I might have said things like, ‘You can’t wear a tie?’ But that’s not an argument, it’s just expressing dismay.

They don’t call the acclaimed filmmakers “The Three Amigos” for nothing.

Apart from sharing 11 Oscars between them, this threesome have been close friends and consistent advocates for one another’s work since their early career days in Mexico. It’s common to see their names acknowledged in the gratitude sections of each other’s films.

In my journey, I’ve never felt solitary, for I’ve always been accompanied by two remarkable companions who stand by me in times of setback and rejoice with me in triumphs. During a heartfelt discussion with these three gentlemen at Netflix in January 2023, I expressed that these two individuals are the very essence of my being; without them, I wouldn’t be here today.

Following their impressive portrayals of entrepreneurs on “Breaking Bad”, the actors ventured into real-life businesses by co-founding the mezcal brand, Dos Hombres, together.

In June, Paul expressed to People magazine that Bryan is his mentor and one of his closest friends on Earth. He went on to say, “I adore this man just as much,” which is how Bryan feels about him too.

If you’ve ever pondered about the stylish gentleman in a hat consistently seated next to Nicholson at Lakers games over the past 50 years, that individual is none other than Lou Adler, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, renowned record producer, and co-founder of the legendary Roxy on Sunset Boulevard.

Adler explained on the LAist’s Off-Ramp podcast that the reason Michelle Phillips, the singer of The Mamas and the Papas, wanted to introduce him to her boyfriend in the early 70s was because they were both similar socially. He added that their friendship quickly blossomed into an easy one.

Prior to ascending to their renowned status as the Los Angeles Lakers’ most esteemed season ticket holders, Adler and Nicholson initially purchased affordable seats and gradually climbed the ladder of success, eventually securing their legendary courtside positions over time.

Let’s raise a toast to the eternal bond shared by the stars from The Vampire Diaries and the creators of Brother’s Bourbon.

In the same 2021 SiriusXM interview, Wesley explained that while he has a lot of friends, his bond with Somerhalder is unique. He described it as more than just friendship; it’s a brotherhood, a connection that seems permanent or eternal in some way.

Following their successful collaboration in the Tony Award-winning hit “The Book of Mormon”, Gad and Rannells spent a 12-year journey looking for another project to work on together. Eventually, they found the perfect fit with “Gutenberg! The Musical!” which brought them back to Broadway in 2023.

On The Kelly Clarkson Show, I openly admitted that my eagerness to return was solely due to him being the one and only individual who’d share the stage with me. In a jovial jest, Rannells quipped, “At last, with the expiration of those restraining orders!

Speaking a bit more sincerely, reminiscing about their shared journey through the Mormon experience and subsequently moving to L.A. together, both finding sitcom roles that ultimately got canceled, Rannells remarked, “We experienced it all side by side, and I could turn to Josh and say, ‘I know you understand what I’m going through right now.’ Such experiences are quite uncommon.

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2025-07-04 04:17