The F1 blockbuster starring Tipperary’s Kerry Condon has roared into pole position in the battle of the summer blockbusters, leaving the movie’s big-budget rivals trailing in the rear-view mirror.
And the Irish actress’s critically acclaimed debut as a Hollywood leading lady – opposite superstar Brad Pitt – is set to propel her onto a new level of fame and fortune, according to industry experts.
Los Angeles-based Paul Dergarabedian of Comscore media analytics told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘Being in a summer blockbuster brings Kerry Condon, her great acting and her persona to a much broader audience. For her to grab this role is huge for her career.’
F1 grossed almost €50m on its opening weekend alone, according to latest industry figures. Over the past week this has accelerated to more than €150m.
The film is considered to be Apple Studios’ first genuine box office hit, even outperforming Napoleon and Killers of the Flower Moon.
Kerry's performance sees her take the role of Kate McKenna, F1 technical director and Sonny’s (Pitt) love interest.
‘She held her own and there’s some heavy hitters in that movie, Javier Bardem, Damson Idris, obviously Brad Pitt,’ said Mr Dergarabedian.‘She’s fantastic. Yeah, and it’s a source for a lot of pride, Irish pride.’
F1 is already on track to be the biggest film of the year, with figures provided by Comscore showing it’s already overtaken other July heavy hitters, including the Scarlett Johansson-starring Jurassic World: Rebirth. ‘This is one of the most competitive summer movie seasons ever and it’ll continue as well,’ Mr Dergarabedian told the MoS.
‘The thing about F1, is it’s a very international sport, and the cast is very international, the locations are global. So it really has universal appeal.’
While Kerry has hit A-Lister status with the F1 ‘popcorn hit’, the down-to-earth Thurles native has mostly eschewed life in the fast lane. In past interviews she stressed she is more than happy to ‘fly under the radar’ of fame, spending most of her free time at her farm and horse sanctuary just outside Seattle.
