Gran Turismo: Neill Blomkamp’s video game adaptation drops behind the scenes photo as filming begins

Last Updated on November 16, 2022

Despite never quite gaining critical or audience acclaim, video game movie adaptations continue. Sony has the distinct advantage of having rights to certain video game properties thanks to their Playstation division. This year saw the release of the movie adaptation of Uncharted, which made over $400 million at the box office. And HBO will be airing a series based on the popular Playstation game, The Last of Us.

It was announced that Sony is now making a film version of the racing game Gran Turismo. District 9‘s Neill Blomkamp is sitting in the director’s chair for this adaptation, and filming recently commenced. Sony tweeted a behind the scenes picture of the production with the caption, “filming is now underway on #GranTurismoMovie – 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.”

The adaptation of Sony’s best-selling racing video game franchise stars David Harbour (Hellboy, Stranger Things, Black Widow), Orlando Bloom (Carnival Row, The Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean), Archie Madekwe (Midsommar, See), and Darren Barnet (Never Have I Ever). It was also reported that former Spice Girl, Geri Halliwell-Horner, and Djimon Hounsou (Shazam!) have also joined the cast.

The film is actually also based on true events, which gives it a different edge over other video game adaptations. Blomkamp has had a bit of trouble getting his dream franchise sequels made when he was once attached to an Alien sequel that continued the story from Aliens, as well as a Robocop sequel. Both film projects were canceled.

Gran Turismo is scheduled to hit theaters on August 11, 2023.