Scepticism was at an all-time high when Sony first announced the Gran Turismo movie.
After all, how the hell are you supposed to make a feature-length film using a video game that didn’t even have a storyline to begin with? But slowly, the end product began to take shape, steered by the ever-capable Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium, Chappie), and on the merit of the trailer alone, we’re willing to give it a chance.
As if all this wasn’t already challenging enough to wrap your head around, you’ll be interested to learn the plot is based on real life. Yes… really. It follows the journey of Gran Turismo player Jann Mardenborough (portrayed by Archie Madekwe), whose elite gaming ability wins him a series of Nissan-sponsored video game competitions, thereby opening the door to becoming an actual professional race car driver.
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In terms of the cast, the production has enlisted a surprising calibre of talent. Namely Stranger Things star David Harbour as Jann’s trainer Jack Salter, Orlando Bloom as motorsport marketing exec Danny Moore, Hollywood veteran Djimon Hounsou as former professional football player and Jann’s father Steve Mardenborough, plus racing royalty adjacent Geri Halliwell Horner (AKA Ginger Spice) – wife of Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner – as Jann’s mother Lesley Mardenborough.
The screenplay has been accomplished by Jason Hall (American Sniper) and Zach Baylin (King Richard, Creed III), while the high-octane cinematography can be credited to Jacques Jouffret. Fun fact: prior to Neill Blomkamp’s involvement, Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski had signed on to craft the film. Wonder if the latter’s initial concept for the adaptation at hand will inform his upcoming Formula 1 flick starring Brad Pitt.
Neill Blomkamp’s Gran Turismo movie starring Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, and Orlando Bloom has officially locked in a release date: August 10th, 2023 – check out the trailer above.
