Hamilton Regrets Turning Down Role in Tom Cruise Movie

Hamilton Regrets Turning Down Role in Tom Cruise Movie

Not only is Lewis Hamilton recognized as the greatest F1 champion, he is also a household name among artists including actor Tom Cruise, friend of the seventime champion. And what would have been the Mercedes driver’s film debut with a character in Top Gun: Maverick came from Cruise, but Hamilton had to decline because of his involvement in Formula One and he guarantees it wasn’t easy.

I’m a perfectionist. There just wasn’t time. It was the most upsetting call I’ve ever had to make,” Hamilton told Vanity Fair when he called Cruise and director Joseph Kosinski to say he couldn’t take the role.

  • Hamilton reveals he suffered racist physical assault as a child

1 of 3 Tom Cruise and Lewis Hamilton at the British Grand Prix in July 2022 — Photo: Nurphoto/Getty Images

Tom Cruise and Lewis Hamilton at the British Grand Prix in July 2022 — Photo: Nurphoto/Getty Images

Being in the film meant a lot to Lewis. He revealed that the first film in the franchise which was released in 1986 made him fall in love with him as a kid and dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot. Given the friendship developed with Cruise, he asked the actor if he could help recast the film.

When I heard the second movie came out, I was like, ‘Oh my god, I have to ask him’. I said to myself: ‘I don’t care about the role, I’ll even sweep something, become a caretaker.

The film was shot between 2018 and 2019 when Hamilton won his fifth and sixth F1 titles; the first of which is a look at Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. It was due to be released in 2020 but was delayed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic, hitting the big screens in May this year.

2 of 3 Lewis Hamilton alongside Tom Cruise and Nicole Scherzinger at the world premiere of the film “Jack Reacher” in December 2012 — Photo: David J Hogan/Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton alongside Tom Cruise and Nicole Scherzinger at the world premiere of the film “Jack Reacher” in December 2012 — Photo: David J Hogan/Getty Images

The driver has a longstanding friendship with Cruise, with the actor appearing at several F1 races to accompany Hamilton, including this year’s British GP.

In 2014, the Hollywood star invited him to the set of the science fiction film “Edge of Tomorrow”. Since the beginning of this friendship, the seventime champion has not hidden his admiration for the actor.

“One of the nicest people you could meet,” the pilot said of Cruise

  • Hamilton describes anxiety and fear of “fraud” in Abu Dhabi
  • The seventime champion rules out an F1 retirement and is looking to win again

cinematic experiences

Hamilton has film experience, including voice acting in the animation Cars and a cameo in the comedy Zoolander 2 with Ben Stiller.

In addition, the pilot previously executive produced a documentary about vegan athletes starring Arnold Schwarzenegger called The Game Changers.

3 of 3 Lewis Hamilton on the set of Zoolander 2 with actor Ben Stiller — Photo: Agostino Fabio/GC Images

Lewis Hamilton on the set of Zoolander 2 with actor Ben Stiller — Photo: Agostino Fabio/GC Images

The dream is not over yet

Despite this frustration, Hamilton will executive produce a film project about Formula 1, starring Brad Pitt. Kosinski from “Top Gun: Maverick” will even direct.

The story follows Pitt as a seasoned driver coming out of retirement from the race track in search of ultimate glory in the sport. Your character will also be something of a mentor to a younger teammate.

  • Check the F1 2022 calendar

F1 returns on August 28 with the Belgian Grand Prix, the first of nine more stages remaining before the end of the Max Verstappenled championship.