LEWIS HAMILTON has launched his own film and TV company.
The seven-time Formula One champion has diversified his portfolio in recent years, buying shares in NFL team Denver Broncos.
And now he has added an entertainment company to his list.
As reported by DEADLINE, Hamilton’s new company will be called Dawn Apollo Films.
The Brit – who paid tribute to his beloved bulldog Roscoe as he turned 10 – set up the production company with talent outfit Copper, which is run by his manager Penni Thow.
And some big names are already in the pocket of the company with a pair of big projects already in the works.
The first will see a thus-far untitled F1 film from Top Gun: Maverick director Joe Kosinski that will star actor Brad Pitt, while the second one will be a documentary detailing Hamilton’s personal journey.
On the reasoning behind the move, Hamilton told DEADLINE: “Iâve always been into movies. I watch a lot. I find it a real escape. There are a lot of movies I find inspiring…
“The goal is to make impactful stories and ultimately to inspire people through movies and storytelling.
“A big part of the new company will be about social impact, community and causes.”
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Hamilton has been a massive advocate for social change throughout his time as an F1 driver, pledging to donate £20million to help under-represented young people in Britain as part of the self-made “Hamilton commission.”
On the upcoming projects, Hamilton added: “We have a couple of great projects in the works with Apple TV+.
“One is the documentary and the other is the F1 movie weâre making with Brad Pitt and Joe Kosinski.”
Pitt was involved in an awkward interaction with Sky Sports presenter Martin Brundle as he snubbed an interview with the ex-F1 driver during the grid walk for the US GP, which was won by Max Verstappen.
Hamilton himself almost claimed his first victory of the season, but he was unable to hold off the Dutchman’s superior pace and was overtaken agonisingly close to the end of the race.
Hamilton has a previous link with director Kosinski, revealing: “I actually had an opportunity to work with Joe on Top Gun: Maverick.
“Tom (Cruise) put me on the phone with him and Joe moved heaven and earth to create space for me to be one of the pilots in the film, but I wasnât able to make it work, which I regret every day.”
The 37-year-old also said he had spoken to Star Wars creator George Lucas and former Disney chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg in order to “pick their brains” on how best to navigate his new line of work.
