Gran Turismo is finally coming to the big screen. In May, Sony gave us our first preview of the film, which is a live-action adaptation of the best-selling racing franchise. Now, the entertainment behemoth has given another peek into the world of fast cars and faster heartbeats.
The new trailer opens with Danny Salter, a failed former race car driver played by David Harbour, staring at a monitor as he instructs Archie Madekwe’s Jann Mardenborough, who is competing on the racetrack.
Next, we see an agitated Salter bellowing at Mardenborough to “Get in and fight,” which prompts Mardenborough to put the pedal to the metal without restraint.
Sony promotes Gran Turismo as a film based on an “insane true story.. Beginning in 2008, Sony and Nissan collaborated to give opportunities to Gran Turismo players to become professional racers. Many of these players dreamed of a life on the track but didn’t have the means to pursue their dreams.
Sony and Nissan created Gran Turismo Academy, where they trained these players in real-life racing. Many of those players didn’t have what it takes to play in the big leagues and make it as professional drivers but not Jann Mardenborough. After his time at the GT Academy, he became a professional racing driver and has continued to compete ever since.
Gran Turismo: The Movie is inspired by his story, although we suspect it will tell an embellished version for cinematic effect.
The movie’s description reads, “Gran Turismo is based on the unbelievable true story of a team of unlikely underdogs – a struggling working-class gamer, a failed former racecar driver, and an idealistic motorsport executive. Together, they risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world.”
Apart from Madekwe, who you will recognize as Kofun from the Apple TV+ series See, and Harbour, Gran Turismo will also star Orlando Bloom, Djimon Hounsou, Zach Baylin, Emelia Hartford, and Jason Hall, among others.
Neil Blomkamp, who is most popular for his work on District 9, Elysium, and Chappie, helms this adrenaline-fueled action thriller movie.
Since 2019, Sony has been trying to mine its treasure trove of video games by adapting them into films and television series under the banner of PlayStation Productions. Gran Turismo will be the company’s second big-screen adaptation after last year’s Uncharted.
If the trailer is anything to go by and we can trust the first reactions, we dare say it will, at the very least, be as successful as Uncharted.
By the way, PlayStation Production is currently working on another video game adaptation, Twisted Metal, but for the small screen. It is the company’s second television adaptation after the critically acclaimed The Last of Us. Twisted Metal will debut on Peacock next week so be sure to watch out for it.
Gran Turismo will race into theaters on August 11.
