It’s been a while since we heard about the Gran Turismo movie.
A behind-the-scenes featurette was released a few months ago, and now the first full-length trailer has finally dropped, giving us a first taste of the Gran Turismo movie ahead of its August theatrical release.
From the footage shown in the two-and-a-half-minute trailer, the Gran Turismo movie adaptation looks very promising.
Watch the first Gran Turismo movie trailer
Starring Archie Madekwe, David Harbour and Orlando Bloom, Gran Turismo is based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough, who went on to become a professional racing driver for Nissan after winning the 2011 GT Academy. It’s a rags-to-riches story that's tailor-made for Hollywood.
The Gran Turismo games feature throughout the trailer in scenes showing Mardenborough, played by Archie Madekwe, practising for the GT Academy in the familiar gaming pods.
While Gran Turismo is based on a true story, some scenes are clearly dramatised for Hollywood. Harbour plays a racing coach who is sceptical about the idea of "scrawny little gamer kids" transitioning into real racing drivers and there's an obligatory love story and rivalry with an arrogant competitor.
There's also a dramatic crash in which a car flies through the air before bursting into flames to add some drama.
We also get a brief look at the film’s high-octane racing scenes look spectacular. Like Ford V. Ferrari, the racing scenes were filmed practically with minimal use of CGI.
Overall, the Gran Turismo movie is shaping up to be a promising racing movie with a mix of thrilling racing action and emotional human drama, even if the story beats look formulaic.
It probably won’t dethrone The Super Mario Movie at the box office, but don't underestimate Gran Turismo's fanbase. The series surpassed 90 million sales last year, so the film adaptation should be a huge hit for Sony Pictures. But the question is if it will appeal to general audiences as much as Gran Turismo fans.
Release date
Gran Turismo races into cinemas on 11 August 2023 and is directed by Neill Blomkamp, best known for helming District 9 and Chappie. The script is penned by Jason Hall (American Sniper) and Zach Baylin (King Richard).
The film stars Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Darren Barnet, Geri Halliwell Horner, and Djimon Hounsou, while YouTuber and car enthusiast Emilia Hartford will also make an appearance.