Damson Idris on his massive “feel-good” summer blockbuster ‘F1® The Movie’

In partnership with Warner Bros. UK

The Hollywood blockbuster is so back. Director Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) has returned with F1® The Movie, the massive new film about a washed-up former racing ace (Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes) who’s been given a shot to mentor promising rookie driver Joshua Pearce, played by the coolest actor in the world right now, Peckham lad Damson Idris.

Also starring Kerry Condon and Javier Bardem, the film is a wild ride packed with white-knuckle races, compelling drama and even a dash of romance. NME caught up with Damson (which is no mean feat, considering his skills behind the wheel) to find out more.

F1® The Movie is a classic blockbuster. Has some of that spirit been missing from cinema?

Damson Idris: “One-hundred per cent. When I was younger and I used to go to the cinema, when I’d leave, I’d wish I was part of that world. I used to look to the left and right and so many people were in there that were from everywhere. Now it’s like things are catered to certain demographics. But with movies like this, Mission: Impossible and Top Gun, everyone in there is from everywhere. Your nan’s in there, your date’s in there, your nephew’s in there. And that’s that nostalgia of those old-school movies.

“There’s no shame in calling it an ‘old-school movie’, but we do need to find a new name for it as we move into this new age, I think. Feel-good movies, maybe. That’s what we’ve been calling F1: it’s a feel-good movie.”

Did Brad Pitt and Javier Bardem teach you anything about movie stardom?

“They actually just talk about the things I’m doing. They encourage the things I’m doing. And a lot of it is outside of the acting and about how I am in my day-to-day. They admire that I’m having fun – they always say that: ‘Man, you know how to have fun.’ And I think that’s so important. We see so many people reach these amazing levels and they constantly talk about how it’s horrible: ‘I hate this and I can’t do this and I hate fame.’

“But there’s all these kids that wanna be in that position and it’s not encouraging for them, so I’ve taken it upon myself to really enjoy these moments; to really live it fully. Whatever
level I get to, I’m just gonna continue to make sure I stay happy in it and not complain.”

You drove the cars for real in the film. What’s it like to act at 180mph?

“As Brad says, when you’re going that fast, there’s actually a time on the track where you get to rest. When you’re really working is when you’re going through those fast turns. On the straight, you’re kinda chilling. They can only show [so much of your face] when you’re driving, so you can’t just say the words. You need to be like, ‘I’M COMING UP TO THE TURN!’ Your eyes need to be popping! There were so many ways we needed to be overacting, essentially, when we were driving – but it was so much fun.

“And then there’s the fact that I got to do it alongside Brad. I’ve loved Brad Pitt my entire life. He disappears into his characters and that’s what he did in this movie. I can’t give him enough props. I teared up a million times for him in this movie. You see so much history through his eyes. It’s relatable for people who aren’t just F1 fans because it’s not only about being an underdog, but being given a second chance. That’s something everyone deserves.”

Are there any other themes that stand out for you in the movie?

“Family. I love the connection between Joshua Pearce and his mother. That’s something I really relate to. My whole purpose is to make that woman proud, and I think it’s the same for Josh.”

F1® The Movie has a killer soundtrack featuring everyone from Led Zeppelin to Roddy Ricch. What kind of music are you into personally?

“I’m a jazz boy. When I wake up in the morning. I fling it on immediately. I’m loving Kimiko Kasai, a jazz singer from Kyoto who had an amazing album in the ‘70s. I go back: Nina Simone, Fela Kuti, Michael Jackson, Prince. On a new wave, I’m loving the UK. For this movie, to go into the mindset of Josh, I was listening to so much Santan Dave, Central Cee, J Hus. A lot of those guys were playing in the trailer every day.”

Was there something about Joshua’s character that particularly spoke to you?

“My whole life, I wanted to be a footballer, so I kind of manifested the idea of playing an athlete. I was always a fan of Formula 1 – the first race I went to was in Budapest when Lewis [Hamilton] won in 2018. When I learned that Joe [Kosinski] and Jerry [Bruckheimer, super-producer] were making a movie about it and Brad was gonna be in it, it was a no-brainer to throw my hat in the ring.

“I was really excited to represent Josh because he’s an east London boy, he’s talented, he’s cocky. I know so many guys like that, who have so much potential, but they just need a bit of guidance to go to the next level. After reading the script, I wrote a letter to Joe: ‘Look, man, no-one’s gonna play this part like me. I have a compulsion to represent this kid. I can’t stop thinking about him and I want to represent him truthfully.’ Joe gave me a shot – and here we are!”

‘F1® The Movie’ is in UK cinemas June 25

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