A decade before Christian Bale and Matt Damon brought Ford v Ferrari to life, the film was nearly made with Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise in the driver’s seat—literally.

In a candid interview tied to the promotional circuit for F1: The Movie, Pitt disclosed that he and Cruise were once in talks to headline a version of Ford v Ferrari directed by Joseph Kosinski, the same visionary behind Oblivion and Top Gun: Maverick.

“We were both set to go,” Pitt confirmed. “Joe was going to direct it, and Tom and I were attached about ten years before the final version came out.”

Pitt explained that he was slated to portray Ken Miles, the passionate British racer, while Cruise showed interest in playing Carroll Shelby, the legendary automotive designer. However, their enthusiasm for getting behind the wheel clashed with the script’s demands.

“Tom wanted to play Shelby, but when he found out that Shelby doesn’t actually drive much in the movie, it didn’t sit well with him,” said Pitt. “We both wanted to be on the track. That’s where it fell apart.”

Ultimately, the project changed hands. Kosinski’s version failed to move forward due to budget disagreements, and the baton was passed to director James Mangold. The reworked film, with Bale and Damon in the leads, garnered critical acclaim and multiple Academy Award nominations.

Pitt and Cruise, who haven’t shared the screen since Interview with the Vampire (1994), may still have another chance. Pitt hinted at the potential for Cruise to appear in a sequel to F1, leaving fans hopeful for a high-octane reunion between two of Hollywood’s biggest names.