Gran Turismo: A Closer Look at the Feature Film

From Gamer to Racer.

Another aspect of IP currently gaining noteriety for cinematic adaptation across Hollywood are video games and this time the latest endeavour in that regard is Sony Pictures’ live action rendition of Gran Turismo (GT). Originally a video game series from mega gaming brand, PlayStation. This movie takes a different direction as it will be a biopic about a GT gamer turned racer, Jann Mardenborough.

As to Mardenborough’s involvement in the game. No, he is not a character in the video game whatsoever but rather a real human being whose love for the immersive racing game led him to pursuing a career in that respect.

While much can be said about the man in the [figurative and literal] driver’s seat of the movie. Given his stellar racing career. The movie aims to do just that and so this article is more about highlighting certain aspects that helped in the production of the movie that it won’t otherwise highlight while its story plays out.

The Breakdown

While it has been covered that the story of Gran Turismo revolves around English racer, Jann Mardenborough.

What many may not know however, is that the racer has only recently returned to the world of racing. After a prolonged hiatus that began late 2020 and with all that free time. The racer was able to greatly lend a hand (or two) when his autobiographical movie was being made.

As Jann not provided insight into his GT gaming (bedroom) build but also serves as a stunt racer for actor, Archie Madekwe — who portrays him in the film.

Sticking with factors that have close ties to the film’s major discourse. Another of such is the person of Geri Halliwell who portrays Lesley Mardenborough — the main character’s mom.

Because actually, Geri Halliwell is married to Christian Horner, a British former racing driver and current Team Principal of the Red Bull Formula One team. So it’s more than safe to say that [both] the tense and triumphant expressions we’ll be getting from Geri while in character, as well as everything in between can definitely be akin to deja vu.

Since she knows the experience all too well, having lived with it.

Worth highlighting also is the man who made it all happen. The founder of the GT Academy, Darren Cox whose mad scientist-esque tendencies paved the way for a whole new world of racing and for racers.

However, within the movie of Gran Turismo, his name has been changed to Danny Moore, purposefully of course. As a way to better serve the fictional nuances that have been added to the story.

Between its ‘keeping it in the family’ tendencies mixed with some form(s) of fictionalisation. Gran Turismo (GT) offers a fresh perspective into the cinematic genre it inhabits. And should be an insightful and cinematically-fulfilling experience.

It should also be noted that this movie is apparently PlayStation’s third foray into (live action) adaptation territory. The other two of which includes; 2022’s Uncharted movie and HBO’s The Last of Us series. It certainly is a busy time for the folks at PlayStation.

But while it remains to be seen what they adapt next; Gran Turismo is already well on its way.

Gran Turismo (GT) races into cinemas, August 11, 2023.