Is Brad Pitt morphing into actor Steve McQueen who was known for his rugged good looks and passion for motorsports
They were both blessed with a tough appearance, had successful careers in Hollywood and shared a passion for motorsports.
After 60-year-old Brad Pitt donned his leather suit and aviator goggles for the Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend, many could not help but draw comparisons with the ‘king of cool’ who died in 1980 at the age of 50.
The Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood actor will play veteran racing driver Sonny Hayes in the upcoming Formula 1 film, which will be called F1, 53 years after McQueen played Michael Delaney in the 1971 racing film Le Mans.
Meanwhile, their acting careers took a similar turn, with both Hollywood lads starring in successful films. McQueen starred in The War Lover in 1962, while Pitt played Sergeant Don ‘Wardaddy’ Collier in 2014’s Fury.
Brad Pitt, 60, (left) is slowly transforming into the American actor and racing driver nicknamed the “King of Cool.” Steve McQueen (right) died in 1980 at the age of 50.
The similarities don’t stop there, as both actors starred in similar romantic westerns. In 1994, Brad starred opposite Anthony Hopkins in Legends of the Fall.
Meanwhile, 14 years earlier, in 1980, McQueen, once the highest-paid actor in Hollywood, had played a legendary sheriff, outlaw and gunfighter in the American western Tom Horn.
He was called the ‘King of Cool’ because his personal characteristic was being rebellious, mysterious and attractive.
McQueen was known as a true rebel (rather than a PR creation) who fascinated everyone, even off-screen.
He was known as a car enthusiast with a penchant for speed, racing cars, motorcycles and airplanes.
He was a gifted racing driver, competing in events such as the Sebring 12 Hours and the British Touring Car Championship. He also competed in motorcycle racing, the most notable race being the International Six Day Trial.
Fans are also fascinated by Brad’s off-screen antics, from his love life, his divorce from Angelina Jolie, legal battles and even his interesting style.
The similarities don’t stop there, as both actors have starred in similar romantic westerns. In 1994, Brad starred opposite Anthony Hopkins in Legends of the Fall
14 years earlier, in 1980, McQueen, once the highest-paid actor in Hollywood, played a legendary lawman, outlaw and gunfighter in the American western Tom Horn
McQueen and Pitt are also known for being behind the camera, with Brad being listed as a producer on his Formula 1 film. McQueen attempted to make the 1965 Formula 1 film Day of The Champion.
Unfortunately for McQueen, he was beaten out prematurely by a parallel film, John Frankenheimer’s Grand Prix, which played a major role in the cancellation of his passion project.
The interesting story of the film that never saw cinema release was told in the Sky documentary Steve McQueen: The Lost Movie.
The documentary featured never-before-seen footage from the project, including an opening shot from McQueen’s film.
Hopefully Brad’s new F1 movie, which is co-produced by Lewis Hamilton, due out in June 2025, will not suffer the same fate as McQueen’s The Champion.
It appears Brad has gone all out as he disappeared among the professional drivers during filming of a scene for the Formula 1 movie at the iconic Silverstone circuit earlier this month.
The Hollywood star was dressed in a helmet and racing suit as he prepared to race at high speed on the second day of the British Grand Prix festival.
Only a small part of Brad’s face was visible as he sat in the car with his helmet on in preparation for the grueling training session during one of the most legendary sporting events of the year.
Steve was called the ‘King of Cool’ because his personal brand consisted of being rebellious, mysterious and attractive
Brad is also seen as a Hollywood hunk off-screen, with fans fascinated by his off-screen personal life (Pictured: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood scene)
The Hollywood hunks starred in the 1962 hot film The War Lover
Meanwhile, Pitt played U.S. Army Sergeant Don ‘Wardaddy’ Collier in the 2014 war film Fury
McQueen was known as a car enthusiast with a penchant for speed, racing cars, motorcycles and planes (pictured in Bullitt, 1968)
Fans are also fascinated by Brad’s off-screen behavior, from his love life, his divorce from Angelina Jolie, legal battles and even his interesting style (pictured in 2008’s Benjamin Button)
Steve played Thomas Crown in the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair, co-starring with Faye Dunaway
Brad has had a wide variety of roles throughout his career, even landing the role of Mr. O’Brien in The Tree of Life in 2011.
After filming for the movie was postponed last year due to the actors’ and writers’ strike in the US, Brad was spotted racing a modified Formula 2 car between training sessions as they began filming the action scenes.
F1 bosses hope the film will follow the popularity of Netflix’s Drive to Survive series, which stars Brad as veteran racing driver Sonny Hayes, who returns to the F1 grid after a long absence.
Alongside his fictional teammate Joshua Pierce, played by British actor Damson Idris, the Fight Club star lined up at the start of last year’s race at Silverstone featuring the sport’s 20 drivers.
Meanwhile, 39-year-old multiple world champion Lewis is closely involved in the script to ensure the film is as authentic as possible.
Joseph Kosinski, the man behind Top Gun: Maverick, is directing the film, while Jerry Bruckheimer, who also worked on the Tom Cruise blockbuster, is listed as a producer.