Damson Idris Thought He’d Be Fired After Intense F1 Scene with Brad Pitt

Working alongside a Hollywood legend like Brad Pitt is a dream for many actors.

But for Snowfall star Damson Idris, that dream briefly teetered on the edge of a nightmare during one unforgettable moment on the set of their upcoming Formula 1 film, F1.

What was meant to be an intense, dramatic scene turned into a personal horror story that had Idris convinced he might lose his job.

The actor opened up about the cringeworthy accident and his admiration for Pitt in a recent chat with Stephen Colbert, and his storytelling left audiences laughing and sympathizing with him all at once.

A Dream Gig with a Hollywood Icon

Damson Idris, 33, plays rookie driver Joshua Pearace in F1, while Brad Pitt takes on the role of his mentor, Sonny Hayes, a former racer who comes out of retirement. Working with someone as celebrated as Pitt was a surreal opportunity for Idris.

“It’s so funny working with Brad. He’s such a beautiful human being, such a giving actor,” Idris told Colbert, glowing with appreciation for his co-star.

But even the best on-set partnerships can have their awkward moments.

“I Just Spat on Brad Pitt”

Recalling the scene that almost became a career-ending moment in his head, Idris admitted he was nervous while shooting a particularly emotional part of the film.

“We once did a scene where I had to scream in his face, and it was like the biggest scene for me. I was so nervous,” he shared.

As it turns out, nerves and acting don’t always go hand in hand. During one take, things got a little too real.

“In between the takes, I spat in Brad Pitt’s face,” Idris said with a cringe.

He quickly clarified, “It was an accident. It was a rageful scene.”

He explained that he was completely in the moment, only to witness the unfortunate projectile land right on Pitt.

“I watched the spit go to Brad,” he said, recalling how Pitt reacted with surprise but didn’t break character. “And then he kept going, and in my head I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh. I just spat on Brad Pitt’s face.’ I was like, ‘I’m going to lose my job now.’ And I watched the spit the whole take, it was just there dribbling down.”

It may have been embarrassing, but Pitt’s professionalism saved the moment and probably Idris’s job too.

First Impressions and Full Circles

Before Idris ever worked with Pitt, he was just another aspiring actor working behind the scenes. He told Colbert a funny story from his early days working as an usher at the Lyceum Theatre in London.

“The reason I worked there is because I wanted to spy on actors and try and learn, be a sponge,” he said.

One night, he thought he had his first brush with fame.

“One day Brad Pitt comes in to watch the play, and I’m at the back working. So I rush out, ‘Oh my gosh, Brad Pitt’s here.’ And I don’t catch him. I see blonde hair, blue jeans and some tan boots just walk out the door. I said, ‘Wow, one day I’m going to work with him,’ “ Idris recalled.

But years later, that moment proved to be a case of mistaken identity.

“I told Brad the story. I said, ‘Hey, when I was younger, I saw you. You came to The Lion King.’ He was like, ‘I’ve never seen The Lion King,’ “ Idris said with a laugh.

Speed Demons on Set

Filming a movie centered around the high-octane world of Formula 1 isn’t just about acting. Idris and Pitt took the wheel themselves, adding authenticity to their performances.

“We drove up to 180 miles per hour,” Idris revealed, surprising even Colbert with the adrenaline-filled detail.

And yes, Idris tried to outdrive Pitt.

“Brad is really fast. He is just such an amazing adrenaline junkie. He rides bikes,” Idris said, clearly impressed.

He explained that their training was extensive.

“It took us around two years to make this movie,” he said, jokingly adding, “I had two years of F1 experience under my belt. Technically, I’m probably faster than Lewis Hamilton.”

A Lighthearted Take on a Heavyweight Co-Star

The entire interview showcased the camaraderie and mutual respect between Idris and Pitt. When Colbert joked about Pitt being an up-and-coming actor, Idris played along with perfect comedic timing.

“He is good. He has a really bright future, that guy,” he said with a chuckle. “I hope he sticks around.”

Clearly, the bond between the two actors goes far beyond the script. Despite a rocky start involving an unintentional spit, their partnership is full of fun, fast cars, and plenty of mutual admiration.

When and Where to Watch

Fans won’t have to wait much longer to see Damson Idris and Brad Pitt in action.

F1 races into theaters on June 27, bringing all the high-speed drama and on-screen chemistry audiences could hope for.

From near misses at theater doors to actual face-to-face moments on set, Idris’s journey from aspiring actor to leading man alongside Brad Pitt is proof that sometimes dreams come true, just maybe not in the most graceful way.

TL;DR

• Damson Idris accidentally spat in Brad Pitt’s face while filming an intense scene for their upcoming Formula 1 movie, F1.
• The incident happened during a “rageful” moment, and Idris feared he’d lose his job.
• Brad Pitt handled it like a pro and continued the scene without breaking character.
• Idris joked about Pitt’s future and recalled an old story where he thought he saw Pitt at a London theater, but Pitt had never seen The Lion King.
• The actors actually drove F1 cars up to 180 mph during filming.
• Idris trained for four months and joked that he’s now faster than Lewis Hamilton.
• F1 premieres in theaters on June 27.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.