‘F1’ Trailer: The ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Team Made a Racing Movie

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Imagine if the director of “Top Gun: Maverick” decided to utilize the stunning cinematography from that film for an upcoming racing movie instead. Such a shift in perspective could undeniably make this new project captivating, regardless of its other aspects like storyline or cast members.

Indeed, I’m quite captivated by the upcoming racing movie titled F1, directed by Joseph Kosinski, who was also behind the camera for Top Gun: Maverick, and cinematographed by Claudio Miranda. In this film, Brad Pitt takes on a role that resonates with the spirit of Maverick. He portrays an experienced yet rebellious racer (you might call him a “maverick”) who decides to mentor a talented but green racing sensation (Damson Idris) with a big ego. Will they manage to mesh their skills and form a strong team?

So what matters is that the racing footage appears as impressive as the F1 trailer promises, right? Here’s a link to watch the entire commercial if you’d like: [F1 Trailer]

Here is the film’s official synopsis:

Known as “the one who never became the greatest,” Sonny Hayes (played by Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most anticipated prodigy of the 1990s, until a track accident nearly ended his racing career. Three decades later, he’s a freelance racer when his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team on the brink of bankruptcy, approaches him for one last chance to save the team and reach the pinnacle of racing. Sonny agrees, partnering with Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team’s promising rookie determined to chart his own course. However, as the engines rev, Sonny finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is not just a companion but also your toughest rival, and the path to redemption isn’t a solitary journey.

The film titled “F1” is set to debut in cinemas on June 27th. If the screening is anything like “Top Gun: Maverick,” it would be best to catch it in IMAX format for an optimal viewing experience.

Remakes That Were Drastically Different From the Original

A Star Is Born (1976)

Originally released in the 1930s as “A Star Is Born,” this film was based on the melodrama “What Price Hollywood?” The story revolved around the romance of two movie stars amidst the highs and lows of the film industry. In 1954, musical elements were introduced to the narrative, with James Mason and Judy Garland portraying the leads. The 1976 adaptation featured Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson as musicians, one on the rise while the other was nearing the end of a tumultuous career. This version was highly successful and even earned an Oscar. More recently, a remake starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper was inspired by it. As we look forward to future adaptations, one can speculate that a 2042 version might center around a pair of TikTokers, one who has just gained viral fame and the other whose last major video dates back to the late 2030s or so.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

In essence, both the 1956 and subsequent “Body Snatchers” films share a common theme: extraterrestrial beings that can perfectly replicate human forms. However, the way these themes are portrayed and their underlying messages vary significantly. The original 1950s film appears to be a symbol for McCarthyism and conformity, while the 1970s version critiques blind consumerism and self-help gurus. Notably, the original film ends less optimistically than its 1970s counterpart, which is one of the darkest endings in Hollywood science fiction.

The Thing (1982)

In the 1950s, “The Thing From Another World” depicted a group of individuals battling an extraterrestrial threat, which appeared as a typical movie monster with a large bald head and hand-like claws. However, John Carpenter’s “The Thing” more accurately portrayed the original idea by John W. Campbell in his story “Who Goes There?”, where the alien could imitate human forms, similar to the Body Snatchers. Additionally, while the former was set in the Arctic, the latter is located in Antarctica, making a significant difference for geography enthusiasts.

Scarface (1983)

Originally based on the 1932 film “Scarface” by Howard Hawks, Brian De Palma’s 1980s remake has left an indelible mark on crime cinema, adorning dorm rooms and influencing countless TV shows, movies, and songs. However, it’s interesting to note that many who reference this iconic film might not be aware of its roots in an early gangster movie or the book by Armitage Trail. The remake features a character named Tony Montana, contrasting with Hawks’ original Italian immigrant crime lord in Chicago; instead, Montana emigrates from Cuba and rises to power in Miami.

The Bachelor (1999)

In 1999, an unexpected choice was cast to reprise Buster Keaton’s comedic role in the film “The Bachelor.” The actor, Chris O’Donnell, proved capable of filling those shoes as he starred as a man who finds out he will inherit a vast fortune, but only if he can get married within hours. Interestingly enough, many people may not realize that Robert Downey Jr.’s movie “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” is a modern remake of Keaton’s classic film “Sherlock Jr.” (Although I must admit, the last comparison was my own creation.)

When a Stranger Calls (2006)

Originally, the movie “When a Stranger Calls” (1979) was acclaimed for its chilling opening scene, where a babysitter is subjected to menacing phone calls from within her own home. The rest of the film unfolded years later, focusing on a detective pursuing a murderer. In 2006, the remake expanded that iconic opening scene into a full-length film, essentially stretching a 20-minute sequence into a 90-minute movie. Whether or not this extended version is particularly memorable remains debatable…

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call – New Orleans (2009)

Reinterpretation of: Bad Lieutenant (1992)
While some may contend that Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call – New Orleans is not technically a remake due to its distinct setting, characters, and director (Werner Herzog!), it is undeniably a film about a corrupt police lieutenant. According to conventional definitions, this makes it a remake, albeit one that significantly deviates from the original material.

RoboCop (2014)

Originally, it’s challenging to match Paul Verhoeven’s style in the RoboCop series, as those who attempted RoboCop 2 and 3 can attest. However, this peculiar remake smoothed over all of Verhoeven’s rough edges, resulting in a comedic redesign of the RoboCop character portrayed by Joel Kinnaman. The film also significantly altered his character development. In Verhoeven’s version, RoboCop is a nearly blank slate who barely recalls his family, with the movie focusing on his gradual rediscovery of humanity. José Padilha’s RoboCop interacts frequently with his wife and son, even using them as hostages in the high-action climax. Unfortunately, the remake never fully conveyed a clear purpose for these changes.

Pete’s Dragon (2016)

Originally released in 1977, the movie “Pete’s Dragon” has been reimagined by director David Lowery. Unlike many Disney live-action remakes that often feel like cash grabs, this one stands out as an exception. It discards the musical numbers and the broader comedic tone of the original for a more serious and immersive children’s adventure. The two films’ cast lists offer a clear comparison: the remake boasts Bryce Dallas Howard, Wes Bentley, Karl Urban, and Robert Redford. In contrast, the original featured Mickey Rooney, Red Buttons, Shelley Winters, and Jim Backus.

The Mummy (2017)

Revisit: The Mummy (1932/99)
The Mummy is an intriguing franchise, as each remake bears little resemblance to its predecessors – despite them all sharing a common theme: a supernatural mummy. The 1932 Mummy adhered to the Universal Monsters genre, with a heavy emphasis on suspenseful mood. On the other hand, the 1999 Mummy drew inspiration from adventure films such as Indiana Jones. In 2017, The Mummy transformed into one of the most peculiar projects starring Tom Cruise. He portrays a soldier who is brought back to life by the spirit of an ancient Egyptian princess with world domination aspirations. Furthermore, this film was intended as the starting point for Universal’s “Dark Universe,” a failed endeavor aimed at revitalizing the classic Universal Monsters characters into a multifaceted franchise similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Dark Universe did not produce a second film, making the absurd subplot about a covert organization that monitors supernatural beings (headed by Russell Crowe as Dr. Jekyll!) even more preposterous.

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022)

The title under consideration for “Paws of Fury” was originally “Blazing Samurai,” drawing a parallel with the 1974 film “Blazing Saddles.” Unlike the African American sheriff in the Western comedy, this time it’s a dog (played by Michael Cera) who takes on the roles of both law enforcer and samurai. Instead of the Old West, the story is set in a feline-populated land. Just like before, his mission remains to confront and subdue the wicked cats far and wide. Despite not achieving the same level of acclaim as Mel Brooks’ beloved Western comedy, if you look closely, you can definitely see the similarities between the two stories.

Road House (2024)

A refreshed version of the 1989 film, “Road House,” titled “Road House” (2024), has been produced. The original film was unique with its blend of manly bar brawls and philosophical ponderings that seemed an unlikely mix. Yet, they remade it, deviating from the narrative about the world’s best bar bouncer to focus on a disgraced former UFC fighter (Jake Gyllenhaal) who takes up bouncing work out of financial necessity. The conflict with a local business leader remains, but this version emphasizes mixed martial arts over philosophical discussions. Remarkably, despite the changes, it manages to be as entertaining as its predecessor, suggesting that maybe it stays true to the original in its own way.

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2025-03-13 22:54