We are counting down the days until the release of the movie F1, starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, however, some fans (us included) will be very disappointed to learn that Bridgerton actor Simone Ashley will no longer be included in the movie.
Set for release on 25th June, the new film will star Brad Pitt as retired F1 driver Sonny Hayes who returns to the world for Formula One in order to compete and mentor rookie driver Joshua "Noah" Pearce, played by Damson Idris.
Simone Ashley was set to be part of Noah's storyline, and she had been spotted on numerous occasions filming alongside Damson at various racetracks around the world, including the British Grand Prix at Silverstone last July.
However, after Simone didn't appear at last night's premiere in New York, it's now been revealed Simone's storyline will no longer be featured in the movie, after director Joseph Kosinski decided to cut it.
Speaking to People about the controversial decision at the movie's premiere last night, Kosinski explained there was more than one storyline that got cut, including Simone's.
"It happens on every film, where you have to shoot more than you can use. There were two or three storylines that ultimately didn't make into the final cut," he explained, before adding: "But Simone, she's an incredible talent, incredible actress, incredible singer, and I would love to work with her again."
Simone does appear in the movie briefly but does not have any lines of dialogue, and since finding out the news of her exclusion, many fans are furious about Simone no longer having a role to play.
One fan even went as far to say they would be cancelling their tickets to the film, writing on X: "The moment I heard Simone Ashley’s role in F1 got cut down I cancelled my tickets."
And others also expressed their frustration at Simone no longer being involved, with one saying: "the main reason I wanted to watch F1 was bc of Simone Ashley & Damson Idris’ romantic storyline," while another said: "I was looking forward to the F1 movie after finding out that Simone Ashley was going to be one of the characters but now they are saying her role has been cut down and her scene lasts only for a few seconds in the entire movie? My girl doesn't deserve this."
So far Simone hasn't commented on her role reduction in the movie.
The movie is scheduled to be released nationwide on 25th June, however you can see the movie two days earlier if you head to an IMAX from 23rd June.
