Veteran actor reflects on Hollywood’s changing energy while promoting F1 film with Damson Idris
Hollywood icon Brad Pitt has revealed that today’s younger actors seem to enjoy their work more freely than he and his generation ever did.
Speaking on the New Heights podcast, the 61-year-old actor—who stars in the upcoming racing film F1alongside Damson Idris—reflected on the evolving culture in Hollywood. According to Pitt, there’s a noticeable difference in how younger stars approach their careers compared to the more rigid mindset of his era.
“I like watching what the new generations are coming in with,” he said.
“We were a little more uptight… You didn’t sell out, you didn’t sell out, you didn’t sell out.
Now it’s, ‘Hey man, we can be artists in many different arenas… let’s enjoy it.’”
A More Open-Minded Generation
Pitt expressed admiration for the way younger actors balance authenticity with versatility, embracing creative opportunities without being weighed down by traditional rules of “artistic integrity.” For him, it’s a refreshing shift from the old-school mindset where branching out—especially into mainstream or commercial projects—was often frowned upon.
However, Pitt did express concern over one common trend among younger talents: the pressure to lead a blockbuster franchise.
“They get caught up in… ‘I have to have a franchise, I have to be a superhero,’” he said.
“And I keep going, ‘Don’t. Don’t. They will die.’”
The F1 Experience
F1, Pitt’s latest project, is a high-octane racing film set in the intense world of Formula One, where he stars opposite Damson Idris, who plays his on-track rival. The film also features Sir Lewis Hamiltonas executive producer, adding real-world F1 credibility to the movie.
Idris, 33, spoke highly of Hamilton’s involvement during an interview with BBC 1Xtra:
“When it comes to driving, he really encouraged me,” Idris shared.
“Lewis brought that energy on set that reminded us of how authentic this movie had to be.
And Lewis is my brother as well, so seeing him in his acting bag was amazing.”
Still, the experience wasn’t without its challenges. Idris admitted the combination of speed and performance made shooting tough:
“Sometimes you’re hitting 180 miles per hour. I was moving—it was fire,” he laughed.
“Then on top of that, you’ve got to act… you’ve still got to try and look cute.”
Looking Ahead
With F1 generating major buzz ahead of release, Pitt’s latest reflections serve as both a commentary on his own growth and a spotlight on the rising stars transforming Hollywood. Whether it’s through franchises, indies, or racing blockbusters, one thing is clear: today’s actors are rewriting the script on how to succeed—and enjoy the ride while doing it.
