Are video game adaptations the new superhero films? It’s too early to say, but the former are definitely on the rise with The Last of Us, Super Mario Bros, Sonic the Hedgehog, and loads more titles on the way. Sony Pictures is hoping the interest in video games continues to Gran Turismo, based on the bestselling racing game franchise played by millions on the Sony Playstation.
The first major studio effort from director Neill Blomkamp since 2015’s Chappie (also with Sony), Gran Turismo isn’t actually based on any one particular game. Instead, it’s based on the real-life story of Jann Mardenbrough, a Gran Turismo gamer who won the GT Academy competition and became a professional race car driver.
Newcomer Archie Madekwe stars, joined by David Harbour, Djimon Hounsou, Orlando Bloom, Darren Barnet, and Spice Girl member Geri Horner, who happens to be married to an ex-race car driver.
Gran Turismo opens in theaters on August 11th.
Based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough, the film is the ultimate wish fulfillment tale of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional racecar driver.