Deep Fusion, the producer and technology specialist, has announced the start of production and key contributors for its landmark feature documentary about rebellious British racing driver James Hunt.
Before Drive to Survive, there was an era when rockstars ruled the grid, and James Hunt was one of its leading rebels. But that is only part of the story. The film’s tagline: ‘The Rebel. The Legend. The Truth’ hints at how the documentary will give viewers a new lens to see Hunt away from the sensationalism. By drawing on intimate, honest and previously untold stories from family and close friends, HUNT: We Need to Talk About James is set to be the definitive story of Formula One’s most notorious world champion and a must-watch sports biography documentary of 2026.
The film is a feature-length premium documentary – made with the support of the James Hunt Estate – exploring the real man behind motorsport’s most enduring legend. Release is planned to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Hunt’s historic 1976 Formula 1 World Championship victory – clinched at the Japanese Grand Prix on 24 October 1976, in what is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most dramatic seasons. After retiring from racing, Hunt found a second career as a BBC pundit, before his untimely death from a heart attack in 1993, aged only 45.
While many believe they know Hunt’s story, the truth lies in newly discovered unseen and unheard archive material and exclusive testimony from family, friends, ex-girlfriends and colleagues – including several who have never spoken on camera before. The film features contributions from some of the most significant figures in the racing world, including 1996 World Champion Damon Hill and F1 mogul Bernie Ecclestone.
The feature is directed and produced by Benjamin Field and produced by Ewan Atkinson, with John Gore, the James Hunt Estate and Jamie Anderson acting as EPs and Richard Wiseman as archive producer. It will be scored by BAFTA-nominee Sam Gale.
Benjamin Field said: “This film aims to do for James Hunt what Senna did for Ayrton Senna, delivering a rare treat for F1 and motorsport fans globally as well as for classic documentary enthusiasts who love a great story! HUNT: We Need to Talk About James is a very human story, painting a complete picture of a man who was definitely flawed, totally driven but also an unexpectedly private figure. The film presents a rounded picture of a very human being. Hunt remains one of the most beloved British sporting icons and this film means a great deal to me personally. Growing up listening to his commentary made me into the F1 fan I am today, so directing this documentary is a real honour and a privilege.”
Freddie Hunt, James Hunt’s son, said: “Dad has so often been painted as something of a caricature. I’m hugely excited that, for the first time, the world will see both sides of the man – and already during filming, stories have come to light that have never been spoken about before.”
Field’s track record in feature biopics includes the much-loved and critically acclaimed film about legendary Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson, who was responsible for some of the UK’s most popular children’s TV shows of the 1960s. In Gerry Anderson: A Life Uncharted (Britbox UK/Abacus Media Rights), pioneering technology was used to repurpose intimate audio archive footage and bring Anderson back to the screen to discuss his life and career.
