The Gran Turismo movie took us all by surprise when it was announced. We're hyped for it, as the people in front of and behind the camera are steadily being confirmed.
So, what will this film be about and can it be a critical and commercial success? We've got everything you need to know right here!
Gran Turismo Movie
We'll be getting a Gran Turismo movie on 11th August 2023, so just under a year from now. Shooting is meant to be commencing this week, so we could see a trailer before the year is out.
So far, there are four cast members confirmed. These are Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings, Pirates), David Harbour (Stranger Things), and Archie Madekwe (Midsommar). Darren Barnett has also be confirmed to play the film's antagonist.
Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium) directs the film with Jason Hall (American Sniper) creating the screenplay. Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi is also involved as an executive producer.
The story isn't confirmed, but it's widely believed that it will take inspiration from Jann Mardenborough's rise from 2011 GT Academy Champion to competing in top level racing series like Super GT.
It's certainly a fascinating and unique story that will become more normal as time goes on. Mardenborough was the first, but there will be more drivers like he and Cem Bolukbasi going from esports to physical racing.
The tides are changing
There was a saying that both video games based off movies and movies based off video games were always terrible. That was usually the case as well, with the likes of the Super Mario Bros. movie and countless poor video game adaptations of films proving the point.
However, things are changing now, with both Detective Pikachu and Ready Player One being roaring successors. More importantly though, the Uncharted movie, also made by PlayStation Studios, has shown that Sony can do it as well.
With actors, writers and a director that are all used to success onboard, things are looking very promising at this early stage.
A story based on someone who goes from racing on a PlayStation to becoming a driver in a top racing series is an inspirational one. It's also the first of what will become many examples of esports drivers making it in real-life series.
We can expect some drama to be added to this story, as is always the ways in movies that are based on real stories. However, we they just need to make sure the movie remains grounded in reality.
Also, it's got to be shot in the right way and if it takes inspiration from the realistic action we see in films like Ford v Ferrari, then it'll be an entertaining watch.
What the GT movie need to avoid
We've said what the GT movies should aim to do to, now here's what the film should avoid.
For a video game film, it should keep the CGI within the video games themselves. Practical effects look far more authentic and age significantly better than their 3D counterparts.
While we have said that the cast is a good one, this isn't the be all and end all, as we saw with the 2014 Need for Speed movie. The less said about that, the better.
Somewhat like England's women inspiring the next generation of female footballers, Gran Turismo's film may do the same for the next generation of esport competitors.
If it doesn't though, it could do more damage than good to the esport racing scene. There's no reason why it can't be a positive force though, as Gran Turismo 7 is a real work of art.