De Niro and Boyega to star in Netflix F1 film The Formula
A fictional crime film set in the world of Formula 1 that features Hollywood legend Robert De Niro and Star Wars actor John Boyega will be shown on Netflix
To be called The Formula, the film is about an American F1 driver who becomes involved with the mafia and is forced to serve as a getaway driver to save his family.
It is to be written, directed and produced by Gerard McMurray, whose previous work includes Burning Sands, a Netflix production that was nominated for the Grand Jury prize at the 2017 Sundance Festival, and 2018's The First Purge.
His recently formed Buppie Productions company says that it "develops and produces entertaining stories featuring black characters for a mainstream film and television audience".
It adds: "Our company is constantly reinventing itself while charting a path to influence popular culture.
"We are the heroes and the villains, the good guys, bad guys, femme fatales and girls next door."
Other producers include De Niro and his close associates Berry Welsh - who was behind Martin Scorsese's acclaimed Netflix film The Irishman - and Jane Rosenthal, whose long list of credits includes Bohemian Rhapsody, About a Boy, Wag the Dog and the De Niro comedy Meet the Parents and its sequels.
The Formula is part of a wider deal that Welsh and Rosenthal have with Netflix.
Few details have been released thus far, but McMurray gave an outline of the plot in an Instagram post on Monday.
"Feels amazing to see this idea in my head finally come to life that I'm writing, directing, and producing," he wrote.
"My new production company Buppie Productions is teaming up with Tribeca Films and Netflix to bring to you a dope original film coming soon called The Formula starring two of my favourite actors, John Boyega and Robert De Niro.
"It's the story of a young man from Detroit who becomes an international racing star in the world of Formula 1 under the tutelage of his mentor with old mob ties."
Boyega shot to fame in Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015, reprising his role as Finn in The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker.
The film is set to be the first Hollywood production based around contemporary grand prix racing since Bobby Deerfield, which starred Al Pacino and included footage shot during the 1976 season.
Alesi and Armstrong make Ferrari F1 test debuts at Fiorano in 2018 car
Red Bull now "much stronger opponent" in F1 with Perez - Wolff
How BRM's one-off F1 double defied its rollercoaster history
It’s 60 years since BRM achieved its goal and Graham Hill led the team to a world title double. But that was just part of the remarkable story of a unique team that at times overstretched its resources and had its fair share of disappointments
Vettel: Returning to F1 paddock after retirement will be a "weird moment"
Sebastian Vettel is confident he will be back in the Formula 1 paddock “to have a look” in the future, but thinks it will be “a difficult or weird moment”.
ADAC reveals 2023 DTM plans and calendar after takeover
The ADAC has revealed how it plans to run the DTM in 2023 after taking over the running of the championship from previous owner ITR.
Obituary: Historics and hillclimb star Charles Barter 1943-2022
Leonard Charles Barter – known universally by his second name – who passed away recently following a short tussle with cancer, was among Britain’s greatest sporting motorists of the past 60 years.
How BRM's one-off F1 double defied its rollercoaster history
It’s 60 years since BRM achieved its goal and Graham Hill led the team to a world title double. But that was just part of the remarkable story of a unique team that at times overstretched its resources and had its fair share of disappointments
The bold F1 DRS experiment that could end the debate forever
OPINION: The effectiveness of DRS in Formula 1 remains a topic of debate as the winter break gives a chance for reflection on the racing we saw in 2022. For all of its detractors, perhaps an experiment where DRS is cast aside and the impact this has on racing is in order to truly understand its merits in modern F1
The sliding doors moment that saved Red Bull and Porsche
OPINION: Everything looked set for Red Bull and Porsche to join forces for the 2026 season, before the marriage between both parties was called off. While at the time it looked like a major coup for Formula 1 in gaining both VW Group powerhouses Audi and Porsche for 2026, Red Bull and Porsche have really been spared a potentially fractious relationship.
How Tyrrell’s post-Stewart era descended into a fight to survive
Glory days for Tyrrell became increasingly infrequent after Jackie Stewart’s retirement. But in the latest instalment of his history of the team for Autosport's sister title GP Racing, MAURICE HAMILTON recalls how Ken Tyrrell’s plucky and defiantly small team stayed bold enough to innovate – springing a surprise with F1’s first six-wheeled car
The forgettable final car of a former F1 giant that gave Damon Hill his start
While it launched the F1 career of a future world champion, STUART CODLING recalls that the BT60 was also the final nail in the coffin of a once-great marque 30 years ago. Here is its story
How departing F1 boss Brawn views F1’s new rules - and the future
Multiple-title-winning designer and team boss Ross Brawn is finally leaving Formula 1 after nearly 50 years in motorsport. But he still has plenty of insights on what’s working and what comes next, as he revealed to Autosport in a far-reaching exclusive interview in Abu Dhabi
The key F1 management call Ferrari must make to avoid more defeat
OPINION: Mattia Binotto’s departure from Ferrari will naturally bring a range of changes across the Formula 1 team. But how the changes shape up and the impact they could have is set to be dictated by a key direction Ferrari’s top dogs will need to pick
The difference between Mercedes’ stumble and the fall of F1 giants
OPINION: Mercedes endured its worst season of the hybrid Formula 1 era, but was mercifully spared its first winless campaign in over a decade late on. It has owned up to the mistakes it made which led to its troubled W13. And while its task to return to title-challenging contention is not small, its 2022 season seems more like a blip than the beginning of a downward spiral.