What’s worth the wait? In 2013, it was announced that Sony was working to bring one of its most iconic gaming brands to the big screen. A decade later, we finally get to see what became of that idea. “Gran Turismo“ will be released in German cinemas on August 10, 2023 – and the first trailer already gives a taste of what to expect.
After “Top Gun: Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski came on board to direct the film adaptation, sci-fi mastermind Neill Blomkamp (“District 9”, “Elysium”) finally took the director’s chair – and for once he was completely without it. aliens, laser cannons and Co. But even if Blomkamp ventures into seemingly new worlds with the video game adaptation, “Gran Turismo” is still something of a heart project for the South African:
Because Neill Blomkamp is a self-proclaimed racing enthusiast and car enthusiast. And as such, it was important not only to tell a gripping story, but also to engage its audience in intense, immersive racing action – something many also remember from the Fast & Furious series for many years to wish (back). .
But it’s not just the cast behind the camera that gives hope, those in front of it too. Also the self-confessed sports car fan, as well as “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Lord of the Rings” star Orlando Bloom, “Stranger Things” crowd favorite David Harbour, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and Djimon Hounsou (“Gladiator”, “Fast & Furious 7”). Archie Madekwe, known for the horror hit “Midsommar”, is waiting for you in the lead role.
We met the cast and crew of the film during the shooting in Budapest last year and saw with our own eyes the levers that were put into operation to make “Gran Turismo” an extraordinary film experience. You can read more about our impressions on the set in a separate article, which we will publish tomorrow (Wednesday 3 May). But now we want to touch briefly on the plot of the film – which raised big questions in advance …
That’s what Gran Turismo is all about
… After all, “Gran Turismo” is a racing simulator. What can be said here? Well, quite interesting and most importantly gripping story – which is also based on a true story!
The film follows the career of Jann Mardenborough, played by Archie Madekwe, who won GT Academy’s Gran Turismo competition at the age of 20. He left more than 90,000 competitors behind and as the winner was given the unique opportunity to trade in the controller for a real wheel – and continue his PlayStation career on the track.
This is exactly what the 31-year-old Briton managed to do impressively. The still active Mardenborough celebrated numerous successes such as the 24-hour race at Le Mans, but also suffered numerous setbacks in the course of his unique career – including a devastating crash at the Nürburgring.
So while the question of what could be a “Gran Turismo” movie raised eyebrows in many places, Mardenborough’s story is the perfect answer, as it was made for the cinema.