Production has begun on Gran Turismo, a live-action feature film based on the popular video game. It was announced by Sony Pictures on Saturday that filming has officially started on the movie with Neill Blomkamp in the director’s chair. The company shared an image from the set revealing our a slate with the film’s official logo. A peek at the background, while very blurry, provides our first look at the film.
“Filming is now underway on Gran Turismo – based on the inspiring true story of a Gran Turismo player, Jann Mardenborough, who won a series of gaming competitions leading him to become an actual professional racecar driver,” Sony announced on Twitter.
With Blomkamp (District 9) in the director’s chair, the film was written by Jason Hall (Thank You for Your Service). Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan are producing for PlayStation Productions alongside Doug Belgrad and Dana Brunetti. Cast members that have been reported to star in the film include Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean), Archie Madekwe (Midsommar, Voyagers), and David Harbour (Hellboy, Stranger Things).
Gran Turismo Continues the Video Game Adaptation Trend
The Gran Turismo video game franchise launched in 1997, having since sold more than 85 million video games. It’s still going strong with the latest installment, Gran Turismo 7, releasing earlier this year. Because the video game series has long been popular, there have been previous efforts to get the movie adaptation of fthe ground. Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) was at one point attached to direct the film for Sony before that version fizzled out in development hell.
It may have helped that other video game adaptations have proven to be hits in recent years. It’s led to PlayStation Productions moving forward with a slew of adaptations, for which Gran Turismo is just one of many. This includes a Ghost of Tsushima film that’s in the works from John Wick helmed Chad Stahelski. A TV series based on The Last of Us is also coming to HBO, while a separate series based on Twisted Metal is also in development at Peacock.
Gran Turismo will be released in movie theaters on Aug. 11, 2023.
