At the risk of jinxing his streak, I am convinced that filmmaker Joseph Kosinski has cracked the code, at least one code, to crafting a surefire summer blockbuster hit. “It’s not about the money,” replies a smooth and debonair Brad Pitt, portraying veteran Formula One driver Sonny Hayes, when told he won’t be getting much pay to drive a dune buggy race — and he really meant it.

Kosinski’s secret sauce is building compelling narratives around highly competent but contumacious protagonists whose driving motivation boils down to passion and winning. Be it Top Gun’s Maverick or F1’s Hayes, it’s easy to believe these men would happily pay out of pocket to fly fighter jets or race Formula One if it were the only option.

Sure, they can come off as abrasive and arrogant — but it’s earned arrogance, honed through experience and shaped by failure. They are the best at what they do and aren’t distracted by any of the noise that comes with the accolades. In one early scene, Hayes wins the prestigious 24-hour Daytona race, only to walk away without touching his trophy or even accepting his Rolex. “Already have a watch,” he shrugs,........

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