“I’ll be a cleaner in the back”: Samuel L. Jackson Inspired Lewis Hamilton to Beg Tom Cruise to Appear in $1.4B Top Gun 2 Before Joining ‘Arch-Enemy’ Brad Pitt
As a kid, F1 champion, Lewis Hamilton dreamt of becoming a fighter pilot when he was introduced to Top Gun. This gave him a chance to meet Tom Cruise which turned into an everlasting friendship. Once Paramount gave a go to Top Gun: Maverick after almost three decades, Hamilton grabbed the opportunity and called up Cruise to get a role alongside him. Interestingly, Hamilton copied Samuel L. Jackson’s approach to score a role in the film, and whatever happened next was a perfect example of true friendship. Now, Hamilton has teamed up with Cruise’s rival, Brad Pitt for an F1 movie.
How Did Samuel L. Jackson Inspire Lewis Hamilton For Top Gun: Maverick?
Hollywood is well aware of the Samuel L. Jackson approach. Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton seems to have embraced it while convincing his long-time friend, Tom Cruise to perfect a role for him in Top Gun: Maverick. We all can agree that we all got an adrenaline rush after watching Top Gun for the first time. Lewis Hamilton was no stranger to the feeling. If not an F1 driver, Hamilton would have been a fighter pilot.
Lewis Hamilton’s dream to become a fighter pilot following the 1986 classic resulted in an everlasting friendship with the American actor. Fast-forwarding 36 years, the British racing driver took the Samuel L. Jackson approach to find himself a role alongside Cruise. He said,
“When I heard the second one was coming out, I was like, ‘Oh, my God, I have to ask him. I said, ‘I don’t care what role it is. I’ll even sweep something, be a cleaner in the back.”
And yea, it was a win-win for the duo as Tom Cruise agreed to devise a role for his pal. Sadly, Hamilton had to turn down the same because the filming was clashing with the F1 season. You may be aware that the Academy Honorary Award-winning actor famously declared that he was willing to play a stormtrooper just to appear in a Star War film, and become a part of the franchise. His humble offer resulted in LucasFilm creating the role of Jedi Mace Windu for him. Rest is history.
Lewis Hamilton To Enter Show Business With Cruise’s Arch-Enemy!
Lewis Hamilton may regret giving up the role, considering the record-breaking success of Top Gun: Maverick, but then, he is joining show business. But, here’s the catch. Lewis Hamilton has decided to team up with Brad Pitt on an upcoming F1-inspired documentary. Well, we all know that Cruise and Pitt’s rivalry is legendary! Cruise may not have spoken yet about his feelings, but nothing is going to stop his longtime pal to join show business.
The masterminds behind this Apple Tv+ film, include Hamilton, Kosinski, and Brad Pitt. The Seven actor is set to play the role of the “driver who comes out of retirement to compete alongside a rookie driver against the titans of the sport”.
Per the tech giant:
“Apple Studios has landed the sought-after Formula One racing feature from Joseph Kosinski, Plan B Entertainment, and Jerry Bruckheimer Films, starring Academy Award winner Brad Pitt (‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’). Kosinski is set to direct and will produce the feature alongside seven-time Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, Plan B Entertainment (‘World War Z’), Jerry Bruckheimer, and Chad Oman of Jerry Bruckheimer Films.”
We are not sure if Hamilton will live his old dream of appearing in the movie, but he surely would be earning a show business breakthrough. The tough part is that we never know if Hamilton’s old Jackson-inspired charm would work on Cruise again or not, just in case there is another Top Gun film. Nonetheless, Hamilton is surely expanding his territory beyond the racing track, which is something to look forward to!
Source: Showbiz Cheatsheet
