Alex Russell, whose writing credits include FX’s “Dave” and “The Bear” and Netflix’s “Beef,” is making his directorial debut with the upcoming thriller “Lurker,” starring and Théodore Pellerin (“Never Rarely Sometimes Always”) and Archie Madekwe (“Saltburn”).
Havana Rose Liu, Sunny Suljic, Daniel Zolghadri and Zack Fox round out the cast of “Lurker,” which follows a retail employee (Pellerin) who infiltrates the inner circle of an artist on the verge of stardom (Madekwe). As he gets closer to the budding music star, access and proximity become a matter of life and death.
WME Independent will represent worldwide sales for the film, which begins shooting this spring.
Pellerin’s credits include Philippe Lesage’s “Genesis,” Eliza Hittman’s “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” and Joel Edgerton’s “Boy Erased.”
Last year Madekwe starred as Farleigh Start in Emerald Fennell’s “Saltburn” and as Jann Mardenborough in Sony’s “Gran Turismo.” His...
Havana Rose Liu, Sunny Suljic, Daniel Zolghadri and Zack Fox round out the cast of “Lurker,” which follows a retail employee (Pellerin) who infiltrates the inner circle of an artist on the verge of stardom (Madekwe). As he gets closer to the budding music star, access and proximity become a matter of life and death.
WME Independent will represent worldwide sales for the film, which begins shooting this spring.
Pellerin’s credits include Philippe Lesage’s “Genesis,” Eliza Hittman’s “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” and Joel Edgerton’s “Boy Erased.”
Last year Madekwe starred as Farleigh Start in Emerald Fennell’s “Saltburn” and as Jann Mardenborough in Sony’s “Gran Turismo.” His...
- 3/25/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Synopsis
Gran Turismo is based on the unbelievable true story of a team of unlikely underdogs – a struggling working-class gamer (Archie Madekwe), a failed former racecar driver (David Harbour), and an idealistic motorsport executive (Orlando Bloom). Together, they risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world. Gran Turismo is an inspiring, thrilling, and action-packed story that proves that nothing is impossible when you’re fueled from within.
Special Features
4K Uhd, Blu-ray™ And Digital Extras
• Special Features:
o Deleted & Extended Scenes
o The Engine: Driving the Visuals
o The Pit Crew: Action and Stunts
o The Garage: The Amazing Automobiles
o The Plan: The True Story of Jann Mardenborough
o The Wheels: The Fast-Acting Cast
DVD
• Special Features
o The Plan: The True Story of Jann Mardenborough
o The Wheels: The Fast-Acting Cast
Blu-ray™, 4K Uhd and DVD include a digital code for movie and bonus materials as listed above,...
Gran Turismo is based on the unbelievable true story of a team of unlikely underdogs – a struggling working-class gamer (Archie Madekwe), a failed former racecar driver (David Harbour), and an idealistic motorsport executive (Orlando Bloom). Together, they risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world. Gran Turismo is an inspiring, thrilling, and action-packed story that proves that nothing is impossible when you’re fueled from within.
Special Features
4K Uhd, Blu-ray™ And Digital Extras
• Special Features:
o Deleted & Extended Scenes
o The Engine: Driving the Visuals
o The Pit Crew: Action and Stunts
o The Garage: The Amazing Automobiles
o The Plan: The True Story of Jann Mardenborough
o The Wheels: The Fast-Acting Cast
DVD
• Special Features
o The Plan: The True Story of Jann Mardenborough
o The Wheels: The Fast-Acting Cast
Blu-ray™, 4K Uhd and DVD include a digital code for movie and bonus materials as listed above,...
- 10/23/2023
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
Get your tracksuit and high-energy playlist ready because Gran Turismo is speeding into your living room on 4K Uhd, Blu-ray, and DVD on November 7! Gran Turismo is the unbelievable true story of a team of unlikely underdogs – a struggling working-class gamer (Archie Madekwe), a failed former racecar driver (David Harbour), and an idealistic motorsport executive (Orlando Bloom). Together, they risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world. Gran Turismo is an inspiring, thrilling, and action-packed story that proves that nothing is impossible when you’re fueled from within.
Already available on Digital, Gran Turismo comes with a tank full of special features!
4K Uhd, Blu-ray And Digital Extras
Special Features: Deleted & Extended Scenes The Engine: Driving the Visuals The Pit Crew: Action and Stunts The Garage: The Amazing Automobiles The Plan: The True Story of Jann Mardenborough The Wheels: The Fast-Acting Cast
DVD
Special Features...
Already available on Digital, Gran Turismo comes with a tank full of special features!
4K Uhd, Blu-ray And Digital Extras
Special Features: Deleted & Extended Scenes The Engine: Driving the Visuals The Pit Crew: Action and Stunts The Garage: The Amazing Automobiles The Plan: The True Story of Jann Mardenborough The Wheels: The Fast-Acting Cast
DVD
Special Features...
- 10/23/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
Age Out (A.J. Edwards)
The only thing worse than never getting your happy ending is having it within grasp and realizing you cannot accept it. To see salvation and turn around knowing it would be a lie is the type of heartbreaking choice we often have to make in order to keep on going. It’s the decision that separates man from monster: an admission of remorse, guilt, and regret. Our actions cause ripples that affect countless others we haven’t met yet or never will and while that truth allows some to sleep at night, the rest wonder what nightmares the collateral damage of their deeds endure as a result. You could say that the only thing separating those two groups is love.
Age Out (A.J. Edwards)
The only thing worse than never getting your happy ending is having it within grasp and realizing you cannot accept it. To see salvation and turn around knowing it would be a lie is the type of heartbreaking choice we often have to make in order to keep on going. It’s the decision that separates man from monster: an admission of remorse, guilt, and regret. Our actions cause ripples that affect countless others we haven’t met yet or never will and while that truth allows some to sleep at night, the rest wonder what nightmares the collateral damage of their deeds endure as a result. You could say that the only thing separating those two groups is love.
- 9/29/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Gran Turismo is a biographical sports drama film directed by Neill Blomkamp from a screenplay by Jason Hall and Zach Baylin. Based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough, a teenage Gran Turismo (racing simulation video game series developed by Polyphony Digital) player, who gets the chance to become a professional race car driver. Gran Turismo stars Archie Madekwe in the lead of Jann, with Orlando Bloom, David Harbour, and Djimon Hounsou playing supporting characters. So, if you loved the car racing film here are some similar options you could check out next.
Ford v Ferrari (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – 20th Century Studios
Synopsis: Academy Award® Winners Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in Ford v Ferrari, based on the true story of visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and fearless British-born driver Ken Miles (Bale), who together build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company...
Ford v Ferrari (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – 20th Century Studios
Synopsis: Academy Award® Winners Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in Ford v Ferrari, based on the true story of visionary American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and fearless British-born driver Ken Miles (Bale), who together build a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company...
- 9/27/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
“Gran Turismo” is the latest video game movie from PlayStation Productions and it’s available to stream as a digital purchase on Amazon Prime Video on September 26.
Buy: Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story $24.99
Directed by Neill Blomkamp, the film follows Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), a British teenage gamer who dreams of being a Formula One racer — despite his father’s (Djimon Hounsou) disapproval.
Meanwhile, when marketing executive Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom) pitches Nissan on the idea that the car company’s next professional driver should be one of the best “Gran Turismo” video game players in the world, Jann’s dreams may come true when he’s paired with Jack Salter (David Harbour), a former pro and turned mechanic, to help him win the big race — the 24 Hours of Le Mans,...
“Gran Turismo” is the latest video game movie from PlayStation Productions and it’s available to stream as a digital purchase on Amazon Prime Video on September 26.
Buy: Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story $24.99
Directed by Neill Blomkamp, the film follows Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), a British teenage gamer who dreams of being a Formula One racer — despite his father’s (Djimon Hounsou) disapproval.
Meanwhile, when marketing executive Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom) pitches Nissan on the idea that the car company’s next professional driver should be one of the best “Gran Turismo” video game players in the world, Jann’s dreams may come true when he’s paired with Jack Salter (David Harbour), a former pro and turned mechanic, to help him win the big race — the 24 Hours of Le Mans,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Rudie Obias
- Variety Film + TV
Mere weeks after hitting theaters, Sony Pictures' racing epic Gran Turismo had its online release date confirmed.
Directed by District 9 filmmaker Neill Blomkamp, Gran Turismo was based on the real-life story of Jann Mardenborough, a young racecar driver who goes from racing in the popular Gran Turismo video game series to starting on the track in real-life vehicles.
The high-speed blockbuster earned middling reviews, sitting at 64% on Rotten Tomatoes. Most critics called the film a "solid adaptation," albeit it one that was paint-by-numbers.
Read full article on The Direct.
Directed by District 9 filmmaker Neill Blomkamp, Gran Turismo was based on the real-life story of Jann Mardenborough, a young racecar driver who goes from racing in the popular Gran Turismo video game series to starting on the track in real-life vehicles.
The high-speed blockbuster earned middling reviews, sitting at 64% on Rotten Tomatoes. Most critics called the film a "solid adaptation," albeit it one that was paint-by-numbers.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 9/20/2023
- by Klein Felt
- The Direct
Monday Update: It looks like Denzel Washington can now lay claim to having the 2nd biggest Labor Day box office debut, with The Equalizer 3 shooting up an estimated $42 million over the long weekend. Not bad at all if you consider that Denzel hasn’t been able to market the film due to the strike. It’s the best opening a movie’s posted since Barbenheimer, and seems likely to be the biggest until, coincidently, Denzel’s son John David Washington, opens his own potential blockbuster, The Creator, later this month.
Original Post:
Denzel Washington returned to theaters this weekend with his first ever threequel, The Equalizer 3, which saw an opening weekend of $34.5 million and a 4-day expected to hit $42 million, slightly above where we predicted it on Thursday. That number securely makes it the second highest grossing Labor Day release of all time behind Marvel’s Shang-Chi and...
Original Post:
Denzel Washington returned to theaters this weekend with his first ever threequel, The Equalizer 3, which saw an opening weekend of $34.5 million and a 4-day expected to hit $42 million, slightly above where we predicted it on Thursday. That number securely makes it the second highest grossing Labor Day release of all time behind Marvel’s Shang-Chi and...
- 9/4/2023
- by Brad Hamerly
- JoBlo.com
’Barbie’ poised to overtake ’The Super Mario Bros Movie’ to become biggest film this year globally.
World box office August 25-27 Rank Film (distributor) 3-day (world) Cume (world) 3-day (int’l) Cume (int’l) Territories 1. Oppenheimer (Universal) $38.1m $777.2m $29.1m $477.2m 83 2. Barbie (Warner Bros) $35.3m $1.34bn $18.2m $745.5m 76 3. No More Bets (various) $33.6m $467.6m $33.6m $467.6m 1 4. Gran Turismo: Based On A True Story (Sony) $28.3m $53.8m $11m $36.5m 62 5. Blue Beetle (Wanrer Bros) $22.8m $81.8m $10m $35.5m 72 6. Meg 2: The Trench (Warner Bros)
$20.3m $352.5m $15.2m $278.1m 78 7. Papa (various) $14.9m $58.6m $14.9m $58.6m 1 8. Creation Of The Gods: Part I (various) $11.1m...
World box office August 25-27 Rank Film (distributor) 3-day (world) Cume (world) 3-day (int’l) Cume (int’l) Territories 1. Oppenheimer (Universal) $38.1m $777.2m $29.1m $477.2m 83 2. Barbie (Warner Bros) $35.3m $1.34bn $18.2m $745.5m 76 3. No More Bets (various) $33.6m $467.6m $33.6m $467.6m 1 4. Gran Turismo: Based On A True Story (Sony) $28.3m $53.8m $11m $36.5m 62 5. Blue Beetle (Wanrer Bros) $22.8m $81.8m $10m $35.5m 72 6. Meg 2: The Trench (Warner Bros)
$20.3m $352.5m $15.2m $278.1m 78 7. Papa (various) $14.9m $58.6m $14.9m $58.6m 1 8. Creation Of The Gods: Part I (various) $11.1m...
- 8/28/2023
- by Charles Gant
- ScreenDaily
Neill Blomkamp refused to use camera tricks to disguise Archie Madekwe's height in 'Gran Turismo'.The actor was cast as gamer-turned-racing driver Jann Mardenborough in the film but director Neill soon found out the actor was much taller than his real life counterpart - but he decided he didn't want to cover up the discrepancy because he can't stand "overly manicured fakeness" in films.He told The Hollywood Reporter: "When it came to shooting the scenes, I purposefully just shot them. It wasn’t like I tried to make him shorter or other people taller. My whole approach is just to try to be as naturalistic as possible, and I don’t like it when you’re creating a synthetic or an overly manicured fakeness to what you’re shooting, I like it to just be raw. So I just let his height be what it is on purpose.
- 8/28/2023
- by Louise Mary Randell
- Bang Showbiz
It’s a nail-biter at the box office.
Sony’s “Gran Turismo” is projected to narrowly outrace the competition with $17.3 million at the box office. But “Barbie” is close behind with $17.1 million, so it’s possible that when the final tally is revealed, the summer blockbuster will have reclaimed its crown and “Gran Turismo” will have to settle for second place.
“We call these estimates for a reason,” says Paul Dergarabedian, a senior Comscore analyst. “Only $200,000 separates these two movies, so we’ll have to see how things shake out on Monday.”
As for “Gran Turismo,” its opening figure includes a sizable $5.3 million from preview screenings and fan events that the studio hosted over recent weeks. That’s an unusual bit of accounting. One that came about because Sony, which originally planned to open the film on Aug. 11, instead pushed back its debut by two weeks. At the same time,...
Sony’s “Gran Turismo” is projected to narrowly outrace the competition with $17.3 million at the box office. But “Barbie” is close behind with $17.1 million, so it’s possible that when the final tally is revealed, the summer blockbuster will have reclaimed its crown and “Gran Turismo” will have to settle for second place.
“We call these estimates for a reason,” says Paul Dergarabedian, a senior Comscore analyst. “Only $200,000 separates these two movies, so we’ll have to see how things shake out on Monday.”
As for “Gran Turismo,” its opening figure includes a sizable $5.3 million from preview screenings and fan events that the studio hosted over recent weeks. That’s an unusual bit of accounting. One that came about because Sony, which originally planned to open the film on Aug. 11, instead pushed back its debut by two weeks. At the same time,...
- 8/27/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Despite a few bumps and an over-reliance on familiar cliches, the big-screen anticipated adaptation of the popular video game "Gran Turismo" still dazzles thanks to Neill Blomkamp's solid direction and the performances from all involved.
Featuring Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, and Djimon Hounsou, "Gran Turismo" chronicles the true-life story of Jann Mardenborough -- a dedicated gamer who seized the opportunity of a lifetime: racing in the major leagues. Not virtually, mind you, but on a real track alongside genuine cars and professional drivers. While the script takes liberties with the factual narrative, the core essence remains, ensuring the audience enjoys a nice helping of grounded drama to accompany the popcorn-fueled excitement.
Naturally, no adaptation of a video game is replete without paying homage to its source material. Blomkamp crafts a film centered around the world of "Gran Turismo" that seamlessly resonates with the essence of the game itself.
Featuring Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, and Djimon Hounsou, "Gran Turismo" chronicles the true-life story of Jann Mardenborough -- a dedicated gamer who seized the opportunity of a lifetime: racing in the major leagues. Not virtually, mind you, but on a real track alongside genuine cars and professional drivers. While the script takes liberties with the factual narrative, the core essence remains, ensuring the audience enjoys a nice helping of grounded drama to accompany the popcorn-fueled excitement.
Naturally, no adaptation of a video game is replete without paying homage to its source material. Blomkamp crafts a film centered around the world of "Gran Turismo" that seamlessly resonates with the essence of the game itself.
- 8/26/2023
- by Jeff Ames
- Slash Film
The editor for the Gran Turismo movie revealed the biggest scene left on the cutting room floor.
While The Last of Us did well for Sony earlier this year, the famous racing franchise is the studios’ next pick for a video game adaptation. The movie, which is already released in some areas of the world, follows the true story of pro racer Jann Mardenborough.
Mardenborough, who had only exclusively played the PlayStation video game, was selected to compete in Gt Academy, a marketing stunt designed to turn a gamer into a real race car driver.
Read full article on The Direct.
While The Last of Us did well for Sony earlier this year, the famous racing franchise is the studios’ next pick for a video game adaptation. The movie, which is already released in some areas of the world, follows the true story of pro racer Jann Mardenborough.
Mardenborough, who had only exclusively played the PlayStation video game, was selected to compete in Gt Academy, a marketing stunt designed to turn a gamer into a real race car driver.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 8/26/2023
- by Russ Milheim
- The Direct
"Gran Turismo" has been revving its engines for a while, landing in a large number of overseas markets a couple of weeks ago and grossing $22.7 million internationally as of last weekend. Now, it's off to the races at the domestic box office and headed for an estimated $16 million dollar opening weekend, per The Hollywood Reporter. There are a couple of caveats to that number, starting with the fact that it includes $3.9 million in grosses from ten days of previews, rather than just the usual Thursday previews that get rolled into a movie's opening day box office. Secondly, it's hard to be sure of any estimate due to the wild card of National Cinema Day.
On Sunday, August 27, tickets for movies across all showtimes and formats are priced at just $4. The initiative made its maiden voyage last year, courtesy of the nonprofit Cinema Foundation, as part of an effort to reignite...
On Sunday, August 27, tickets for movies across all showtimes and formats are priced at just $4. The initiative made its maiden voyage last year, courtesy of the nonprofit Cinema Foundation, as part of an effort to reignite...
- 8/26/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
The summer box office wind-down is in action as Columbia Pictures’ “Gran Turismo” looks to outrun a slew of holdovers. The racing feature got off to a head start with an $8.5 million opening day from 3,856 screens, a figure that includes a sizable $5.3 million from preview screenings over recent weeks.
In late July, Sony swerved with its release plans for “Gran Turismo,” bumping the formal opening two weeks later than its initial Aug. 11 release date, but organizing several days of special screenings for the film in hopes to build up word-of-mouth. It’s typical for studios to include preview grosses in their opening numbers — after all, “opening day” gross accounts for ticket sales across Thursday and Friday — but “Gran Turismo” certainly has had more runway than the typical wide release. It’s become more commonplace for studios to increase the amount of preview screenings for wide releases in recent years; Paramount...
In late July, Sony swerved with its release plans for “Gran Turismo,” bumping the formal opening two weeks later than its initial Aug. 11 release date, but organizing several days of special screenings for the film in hopes to build up word-of-mouth. It’s typical for studios to include preview grosses in their opening numbers — after all, “opening day” gross accounts for ticket sales across Thursday and Friday — but “Gran Turismo” certainly has had more runway than the typical wide release. It’s become more commonplace for studios to increase the amount of preview screenings for wide releases in recent years; Paramount...
- 8/26/2023
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
South African filmmaker Neill Blomkamp has directed five major feature films to date: the Oscar-nominated "District 9" in 2009, the class-conscious sci-fi tragedy "Elysium" in 2013, the oddball "Short Circuit"/"RoboCop" mashup "Chappie" in 2015, the low-budget stinker "Demonic" in 2021, and now the video-game-adjacent biography "Gran Turismo" in 2023.
With the exception of "Demonic," each of Blomkamp's films is explicitly or implicitly about class. "District 9" is about alien visitors who are forced to live in a run-down shanty town outside of Johannesburg. "Elysium" features a posh space station where the wealthy live in comfort while the impoverished live on the overheated, overpopulated Earth below. "Chappie" is an Acab movie about a police robot coming to fight for the people and against its corporate creators.
"Gran Turismo," meanwhile, is about Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), an expert player of the titular racing video game, who is tapped by Nissan to become a race car driver for real.
With the exception of "Demonic," each of Blomkamp's films is explicitly or implicitly about class. "District 9" is about alien visitors who are forced to live in a run-down shanty town outside of Johannesburg. "Elysium" features a posh space station where the wealthy live in comfort while the impoverished live on the overheated, overpopulated Earth below. "Chappie" is an Acab movie about a police robot coming to fight for the people and against its corporate creators.
"Gran Turismo," meanwhile, is about Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), an expert player of the titular racing video game, who is tapped by Nissan to become a race car driver for real.
- 8/26/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Chicago – “Gran Turismo” uses the life story of a gamer named Jann Mardenborough to get its message across … he was a college dropout in the UK who used the hours spent behind the steering wheel in his bedroom to become a real race car driver. While the racing scenes deliver the goods, this poorly conceived piece of product placement never gets its narrative out of first gear.
Rating: 1.5/5.0
It is a novel approach, but sometimes his story threatens to get drowned out by seemingly incessant plugs for the driver simulator videogame Gran Turismo and a certain Japanese auto company. The film starts with Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom) as a marketing exec who comes up with the idea of using the Gt game as a way of appealing to the next generation of car buyers. So he recruits the top gamers in the world to attend an auto racing boot camp...
Rating: 1.5/5.0
It is a novel approach, but sometimes his story threatens to get drowned out by seemingly incessant plugs for the driver simulator videogame Gran Turismo and a certain Japanese auto company. The film starts with Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom) as a marketing exec who comes up with the idea of using the Gt game as a way of appealing to the next generation of car buyers. So he recruits the top gamers in the world to attend an auto racing boot camp...
- 8/26/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Director Neill Blomkamp (center) and the real Jann Mardenborough (right) with additional crew on the set of Columbia Pictures Gran Turismo. Photo by: Gordon Timpen Unlike most movies based on video games, which usually take place in the game’s world, Gran Turismo is set in the real world, and it tells the story — albeit somewhat dramatized — of a real person who, after conquering the Gran Turismo driving game, was given a shot at driving a real race car. That’s one of the things that Neill Blomkamp found interesting and refreshing when he was being recruited to direct the film; he says he was really surprised by how good the script was. (Click on the media bar below to hear Neill Blomkamp) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Neill_-Blomkamp_Gran_turimoo_.mp3 Gran Turismo is now playing in theaters.
The post ‘Gran Turismo’ Director Couldn’t Believe The...
The post ‘Gran Turismo’ Director Couldn’t Believe The...
- 8/25/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Neill Blomkamp’s “Gran Turismo” movie from Sony Pictures packs all the adrenaline and all the emotions. Based on a true story, the film follows young Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe) as he gets the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go from a video game racer to a real race car driver. It all started with Gran Turismo game creator Kazunori Yamauchi (Takehiro Hira) who got ahold of an automobile simulator and transformed it into a very real racing experience for gamers. Dreamer and Nissan marketing executive Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom) took the love for the game a step further by giving the best players a chance to go through a Gran Turismo academy to compete for the chance at racing on some of the professional courses featured in the game.
Enter David Harbour’s Jack Salter as Chief Engineer enlisted with determining whether the transition from a video game simulation to the real deal is even possible,...
Enter David Harbour’s Jack Salter as Chief Engineer enlisted with determining whether the transition from a video game simulation to the real deal is even possible,...
- 8/25/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
Gran Turismo director Neill Blomkamp is back on track.
Sporting his best reviews in a decade, the South African filmmaker was able to merge his two passions, filmmaking and cars, to tell the unlikely true story of professional racing driver Jann Mardenborough (portrayed by Archie Madekwe). The British racer turned his Gran Turismo video game prowess into an actual racing career by winning the Gt Academy in 2011 and earning the opportunity to drive for Nissan.
Over the past decade, in-camera filmmaking has become a popular selling point in order to capture a portion of the audience that’s grown weary of VFX-heavy blockbusters. And while Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story was filmed with as much practicality as possible, Blomkamp refreshingly does not want to undersell the significant contributions and artistry of his VFX team.
“Every time you see the actors in the car, they’re going the speed...
Sporting his best reviews in a decade, the South African filmmaker was able to merge his two passions, filmmaking and cars, to tell the unlikely true story of professional racing driver Jann Mardenborough (portrayed by Archie Madekwe). The British racer turned his Gran Turismo video game prowess into an actual racing career by winning the Gt Academy in 2011 and earning the opportunity to drive for Nissan.
Over the past decade, in-camera filmmaking has become a popular selling point in order to capture a portion of the audience that’s grown weary of VFX-heavy blockbusters. And while Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story was filmed with as much practicality as possible, Blomkamp refreshingly does not want to undersell the significant contributions and artistry of his VFX team.
“Every time you see the actors in the car, they’re going the speed...
- 8/25/2023
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Plot: The true story of Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), a gifted Gran Turismo player who parlayed his skills into a professional race car driving career.
Review: While some might roll their eyes at the notion of Hollywood making a movie out of Gran Turismo, the famed racing simulator, this is a surprisingly rock-solid effort that’s not much of a video game adaptation at all. Similar to the recent Tetris, this is less of a video game adaptation than a dramatization of a fascinating true story that involved the game. Nissan actually did have a competition where Gran Turismo players were given a chance to train as professional racers. Mardenborough was gifted enough on the track that he went onto a legit career in F1.
It adds up to a pretty interesting underdog story that offers director Neill Blomkamp a change of pace, with this essentially a straightforward sports movie.
Review: While some might roll their eyes at the notion of Hollywood making a movie out of Gran Turismo, the famed racing simulator, this is a surprisingly rock-solid effort that’s not much of a video game adaptation at all. Similar to the recent Tetris, this is less of a video game adaptation than a dramatization of a fascinating true story that involved the game. Nissan actually did have a competition where Gran Turismo players were given a chance to train as professional racers. Mardenborough was gifted enough on the track that he went onto a legit career in F1.
It adds up to a pretty interesting underdog story that offers director Neill Blomkamp a change of pace, with this essentially a straightforward sports movie.
- 8/25/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
It’s off to the races for Sony’s video game adaptation “Gran Turismo,” which opens in theaters this weekend. The racing drama, starring Archie Madekwe, David Harbour and Orlando Bloom, made $1.4 million in Thursday previews at the box office.
The film is expected to open between $10 million and $12 million this weekend. It carries a $60 million budget, and on top of that, “Barbie” and “Blue Beetle” are hot on its heels, so there may not be a victory lap for “Gran Turismo.”
Based on the popular PlayStation racing video games of the same name, “Gran Turismo” is directed by Neill Blomkamp and based on the real life story of Jann Mardenborough, a young gamer turned professional race car driver. Mardenborough, played by Madekwe in the movie, was so good at the “Gran Turismo” racing simulation games that he took his skills to the actual race course and went pro. Harbour plays Jack Salter,...
The film is expected to open between $10 million and $12 million this weekend. It carries a $60 million budget, and on top of that, “Barbie” and “Blue Beetle” are hot on its heels, so there may not be a victory lap for “Gran Turismo.”
Based on the popular PlayStation racing video games of the same name, “Gran Turismo” is directed by Neill Blomkamp and based on the real life story of Jann Mardenborough, a young gamer turned professional race car driver. Mardenborough, played by Madekwe in the movie, was so good at the “Gran Turismo” racing simulation games that he took his skills to the actual race course and went pro. Harbour plays Jack Salter,...
- 8/25/2023
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
This article contains spoilers for Gran Turismo.
In his new film Gran Turismo, director Neill Blomkamp steps away from the sci-fi and horror tales he’s been spinning to tell a story—taken from real life—of a video gamer who became so good at simulated race car driving on the titular PlayStation game that he actually made the leap to becoming a professional race car driver, reportedly driving in more than 200 races and managing to hold his own against drivers who had been behind the wheel their entire lives.
The young man in question is Jann Mardenborough, played by Archie Madekwe in the film, and he is a native of England, although he spent most of his life growing up in Cardiff, Wales. It’s been pointed out already that neither Madekwe nor anyone else in his family employs a Welsh accent—something that a lot of less discerning viewers (especially in the U.
In his new film Gran Turismo, director Neill Blomkamp steps away from the sci-fi and horror tales he’s been spinning to tell a story—taken from real life—of a video gamer who became so good at simulated race car driving on the titular PlayStation game that he actually made the leap to becoming a professional race car driver, reportedly driving in more than 200 races and managing to hold his own against drivers who had been behind the wheel their entire lives.
The young man in question is Jann Mardenborough, played by Archie Madekwe in the film, and he is a native of England, although he spent most of his life growing up in Cardiff, Wales. It’s been pointed out already that neither Madekwe nor anyone else in his family employs a Welsh accent—something that a lot of less discerning viewers (especially in the U.
- 8/25/2023
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
Neill Blomkamp’s Gran Turismo is unlike most video game movies. It’s actually the true story of Jann Mardenborough (played here by Archie Madekwe), a gifted Gran Turismo player who parlayed his skills into a professional race car driving career. It’s a fascinating tale that’s anchored by Madekwe and co-star David Harbour’s performances, as well as Blomkamp’s immersive style. We actually had a chance recently to sit down with the director and talk about his latest, which is a pretty huge departure from his earlier work like District 9, Elysium or Chappie.
One of the things that I guess I found most refreshing about Gran Turismo is that when you think of a video game movie, you don’t often think of the term based on a true story.
Nb: I think that was one of the main things that drew me to it. It...
One of the things that I guess I found most refreshing about Gran Turismo is that when you think of a video game movie, you don’t often think of the term based on a true story.
Nb: I think that was one of the main things that drew me to it. It...
- 8/25/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
This article contains spoilers for "Gran Turismo."
Depending on where you live, the new racing movie titled "Gran Turismo: A True Story" in some territories is currently making its way to theaters and is, in fact, based on a true story. You know, just in case that subtitle didn't make it clear. Directed by genre-junkie Neill Blomkamp, the gamer-turned-racer movie (which was reviewed by yours truly here at /Film) takes a slightly more novel approach to breaking the so-called video game curse. By blending its ambitions as a video game adaptation and a sports drama/biopic, the film does its level best to do what protagonist Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe) does and forge its own path altogether by pulling from very real-life events.
As incredible as the premise may seem -- involving car company Nissan teaming up with PlayStation to find the best players of the video game franchise "Gran Turismo,...
Depending on where you live, the new racing movie titled "Gran Turismo: A True Story" in some territories is currently making its way to theaters and is, in fact, based on a true story. You know, just in case that subtitle didn't make it clear. Directed by genre-junkie Neill Blomkamp, the gamer-turned-racer movie (which was reviewed by yours truly here at /Film) takes a slightly more novel approach to breaking the so-called video game curse. By blending its ambitions as a video game adaptation and a sports drama/biopic, the film does its level best to do what protagonist Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe) does and forge its own path altogether by pulling from very real-life events.
As incredible as the premise may seem -- involving car company Nissan teaming up with PlayStation to find the best players of the video game franchise "Gran Turismo,...
- 8/25/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Hey, as the Summer movie season races (hint) to that Labor Day finish line (again), the studios aren’t quite done with toy-based stories. In that aspect, a new box office champ has been crowned with the “pink princess” zooming past those video game plumbing icons. Now, this new release leans into the latter’s territory as its roots are in the gaming world. Oh, and like the “under the radar” Tetris flick, it is actually based on a true story, This isn’t a twist on the old “Cold War Cloak and Daggar” thriller like that one or even an “origin story” of the game’s creation. Instead, this is closer to an old-fashioned, grit and glory, sports underdog fable, Yes sports, as we follow one determined young man whose dreams become reality when he enters the world of Gran Turismo.
I should clarify that the film does begin...
I should clarify that the film does begin...
- 8/25/2023
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Neill Blomkamp is back.
The director, best known for a trio of films that effortlessly blend startling futurism with barbed social commentary, has returned with “Gran Turismo,” his first studio film since 2015’s “Chappie” and his first movie since the pandemic-shot, micro-budgeted “Demonic” in 2021. And it marks a kinder, gentler Blomkamp. All of his filmmaking hallmarks are still there, from elaborately staged action sequences to relatable characters to the kind of camerawork that captures the immediacy of real life, but this time it’s in serve of an elegant – and, crucially, feel-good – sports movie.
Based on a true story about the PlayStation video game franchise, “Gran Turismo” follows Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), a young, working-class Englishman who wins a “Gran Turismo” tournament that allows him to become a real-life racecar driver. That’s when he starts to bond with David Harbour’s Jack Salter, his flinty (but still caring) trainer.
The director, best known for a trio of films that effortlessly blend startling futurism with barbed social commentary, has returned with “Gran Turismo,” his first studio film since 2015’s “Chappie” and his first movie since the pandemic-shot, micro-budgeted “Demonic” in 2021. And it marks a kinder, gentler Blomkamp. All of his filmmaking hallmarks are still there, from elaborately staged action sequences to relatable characters to the kind of camerawork that captures the immediacy of real life, but this time it’s in serve of an elegant – and, crucially, feel-good – sports movie.
Based on a true story about the PlayStation video game franchise, “Gran Turismo” follows Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), a young, working-class Englishman who wins a “Gran Turismo” tournament that allows him to become a real-life racecar driver. That’s when he starts to bond with David Harbour’s Jack Salter, his flinty (but still caring) trainer.
- 8/24/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Before it became a movie — but after first launching as a series of racing simulation games — “Gran Turismo” was the platform that in 2011 allowed Jann Mardenborough to become a professional driver. At 20, and even from behind a virtual console, the Cardiff, Wales native was so skilled at navigating the complexities of the sport — not just the races themselves but the assembly of his vehicles’ literal nuts and bolts — that he earned a chance to attend Nissan and PlayStation’s Gt Academy, and later to compete against real professionals on the same world-class tracks recreated in the game. 12 years later, “Gran Turismo” tells Mardenborough’s incredible story, for which he returns the favor by being the driving double of actor Archie Madekwe, who plays him in the film.
“The movie focuses on the first four years of my career where I was a Nissan driver,” Mardenborough tells Variety. “Revisiting that is cool,...
“The movie focuses on the first four years of my career where I was a Nissan driver,” Mardenborough tells Variety. “Revisiting that is cool,...
- 8/24/2023
- by Todd Gilchrist
- Variety Film + TV
Jann MardenboroughPhoto: Clive Rose - Gran Turismo/Gran Turismo via Getty Images
As far as true stories transformed into films go, few are as unlikely as the one surrounding Neill Blomkamp’s new automotive biopic Gran Turismo. One of the planet’s biggest car brands handing the keys to their...
As far as true stories transformed into films go, few are as unlikely as the one surrounding Neill Blomkamp’s new automotive biopic Gran Turismo. One of the planet’s biggest car brands handing the keys to their...
- 8/24/2023
- by William Hughes
- avclub.com
Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story star David Harbour considers his new film to be a real-life The Last Starfighter.
In Nick Castle’s 1984 film that Steven Spielberg and Seth Rogen have both tried to remake, Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) is an aimless teenager who perfects an arcade game called Starfighter and ends up being recruited by the game’s alien inventor to help fight in an interstellar war. Well, Neil Blomkamp’s Gran Turismo tells the true story of how Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe) mastered the Gran Turismo video game en route to being recruited by Nissan and becoming a professional racing driver.
Harbour’s character, Jack Salter, who’s a former driver turned mechanic, is the one tasked with actually turning Jann into a proper race car driver, and the role has shades of Robert Duvall in Days of Thunder (1990), John Candy in Cool Runnings (1993) and Emilio Estevez...
In Nick Castle’s 1984 film that Steven Spielberg and Seth Rogen have both tried to remake, Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) is an aimless teenager who perfects an arcade game called Starfighter and ends up being recruited by the game’s alien inventor to help fight in an interstellar war. Well, Neil Blomkamp’s Gran Turismo tells the true story of how Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe) mastered the Gran Turismo video game en route to being recruited by Nissan and becoming a professional racing driver.
Harbour’s character, Jack Salter, who’s a former driver turned mechanic, is the one tasked with actually turning Jann into a proper race car driver, and the role has shades of Robert Duvall in Days of Thunder (1990), John Candy in Cool Runnings (1993) and Emilio Estevez...
- 8/23/2023
- by Brian Davids
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Colby Parker Jr., the editor for Sony Pictures’ Gran Turismo, revealed why the movie needed to rely on a notable amount of VFX work.
The upcoming PlayStation Productions movie follows Jann Mardenborough and his story of winning a video game competition that would go on to put him in the driver seat of a real race car—thus beginning a long and fruitful racing career.
When audiences think of a heavy special effects outing, movies like The Avengers or Blue Beetle probably come to mind. What tends to not make the list would be a movie like Gran Turismo. However, looks can be deceiving.
Read full article on The Direct.
The upcoming PlayStation Productions movie follows Jann Mardenborough and his story of winning a video game competition that would go on to put him in the driver seat of a real race car—thus beginning a long and fruitful racing career.
When audiences think of a heavy special effects outing, movies like The Avengers or Blue Beetle probably come to mind. What tends to not make the list would be a movie like Gran Turismo. However, looks can be deceiving.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 8/23/2023
- by Russ Milheim
- The Direct
After two dismal weekends at the box office, any chance of things recovering for the last weekend of August doesn’t seem likely, although one daring movie (and this year’s “National Cinema Day“) will try to make an impact. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.
On Sunday, August 27, many North American theaters will be offering $4 movie tickets in hopes of keeping the burst of movie attendance thanks to “Barbenheimer” going into September. It will be hard to tell what sort of effect it has this year, because studio estimates on Sunday might not be able to account for any bump from National Cinema Day.
With that in mind, Sony is releasing the racing movie “Gran Turismo,” which isn’t based on the Sony Playstation driving simulator as much as it tells the true story of Jann Mardenborough, as played by Archie Madekwe (“Midsommar”), a gamer whose...
On Sunday, August 27, many North American theaters will be offering $4 movie tickets in hopes of keeping the burst of movie attendance thanks to “Barbenheimer” going into September. It will be hard to tell what sort of effect it has this year, because studio estimates on Sunday might not be able to account for any bump from National Cinema Day.
With that in mind, Sony is releasing the racing movie “Gran Turismo,” which isn’t based on the Sony Playstation driving simulator as much as it tells the true story of Jann Mardenborough, as played by Archie Madekwe (“Midsommar”), a gamer whose...
- 8/23/2023
- by Edward Douglas
- Gold Derby
In 2009, Nissan teamed up with Sony for Gt Academy, a reality TV show that posited a real-life Last Starfighter scenario: that the Gran Turismo series is such a finely tuned racing simulator that players who mastered the games could be trained to harness their skills to become actual professional racers. To the credit of all involved, that theory turned out to be true.
The focus of Neill Blomkamp’s Gran Turismo film is the true story of Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), the biracial son of a retired British footballer who goes on to be Gt Academy’s third and youngest winner. Jann’s journey into the professional racing world is marked by some very impressive, consistent highs and an extremely terrifying low, stemming from a major crash in 2015 that’s depicted in the film in pretty harrowing detail.
Despite being pretty cinematic on its own merits, this Gran Turismo still...
The focus of Neill Blomkamp’s Gran Turismo film is the true story of Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), the biracial son of a retired British footballer who goes on to be Gt Academy’s third and youngest winner. Jann’s journey into the professional racing world is marked by some very impressive, consistent highs and an extremely terrifying low, stemming from a major crash in 2015 that’s depicted in the film in pretty harrowing detail.
Despite being pretty cinematic on its own merits, this Gran Turismo still...
- 8/22/2023
- by Justin Clark
- Slant Magazine
"Gran Turismo", a new sports drama feature, directed by Neill Blomkamp, based on racing simulation video games developed by Polyphony Digital for PlayStation systems and inspired by the true story of 'Jann Mardenborough', a player who aspired to be a competive race car driver, stars David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe, Darren Barnet, Geri Halliwell Horner and Djimon Hounsou, releasing August 25, 2023 in theaters:
"....'Gran Turismo is the most recent of several video game adaptations planned by Sony Pictures and PlayStation Studios, joining an array of PlayStation exclusives going from consoles to live-action, including major titles 'Days Gone' and 'God of War'.
"The film is about more than just racing and the rush it brings Its about a gamer whose skills won a series of 'Nissan'-sponsored video game competitions, who then becomes an actual professional race car driver..."
"Set to Nas' classic track 'Hate Me Now,...
"....'Gran Turismo is the most recent of several video game adaptations planned by Sony Pictures and PlayStation Studios, joining an array of PlayStation exclusives going from consoles to live-action, including major titles 'Days Gone' and 'God of War'.
"The film is about more than just racing and the rush it brings Its about a gamer whose skills won a series of 'Nissan'-sponsored video game competitions, who then becomes an actual professional race car driver..."
"Set to Nas' classic track 'Hate Me Now,...
- 8/22/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Archie Madekwe was under pressure to perfect the simulated driving scenes in 'Gran Turismo'.The 28-year-old star plays Jann Mardenborough, a young 'Gran Turismo' player who became a real-life racing driver, in the new movie but needed to get the driving style right to impress the "meticulous" fans of the popular PlayStation racing game.In an interview with Screen Rant – conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike – Archie said: "Every single scene that you see me playing 'Gran Turismo', I'm playing in real life."I had to be good, and there was immense pressure in that way because the fans are just so meticulous. They know if someone's good or not."The actor continued: "In a lot of those scenes, David (Archie's trainer) would be in the back just screaming instructions to me, making sure I got it right and I had my hands in the same way.
- 8/22/2023
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Orlando Bloom relished exploring the gritty side of the racing world in 'Gran Turismo'.The 46-year-old actor plays Nissan marketing executive Danny Moore in the new movie based on the racing video game series of the same name and was impressed with the "dedication" that goes into the sport.Orlando told HeyUGuys.com: "One of the things that surprised me during the making of the movie is there's so much glamour in what you see of the racing world."But actually, what goes into it, the dedication, the focus, the excellence for all of the team members and not just the drivers. That's something that we explore in the movie."It is a very passionate movie, it is a very fast-paced action movie but at its core is a beautiful heartfelt story and a true story at that, which is what I think will keep people coming back for more.
- 8/19/2023
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Gran Turismo, based on the PlayStation racing simulation games and directed by District 9 helmer Neill Blomkamp, is many things: a sports movie, an underdog story, a somewhat accurate biodrama. It is also a film about dads.
We’ve all seen it before, whether in October Sky or High School Musical: a plucky young man wants to follow his dreams while his father disapproves. In Gran Turismo, Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe) wants to leverage his virtual driving skills into a professional racing career. His ex-footballer dad (Djimon Hounsou) thinks, perhaps quite rationally, this is insane. But when a novel training program called Gt Academy plucks Jann from his small Welsh hometown for the opportunity of a lifetime, our timid novice finds another father figure in the form of his prickly, reluctant mentor.
That is Jack Salter (David Harbour). The Nissan marketing exec who wants to turn gamers into racers––Danny Moore,...
We’ve all seen it before, whether in October Sky or High School Musical: a plucky young man wants to follow his dreams while his father disapproves. In Gran Turismo, Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe) wants to leverage his virtual driving skills into a professional racing career. His ex-footballer dad (Djimon Hounsou) thinks, perhaps quite rationally, this is insane. But when a novel training program called Gt Academy plucks Jann from his small Welsh hometown for the opportunity of a lifetime, our timid novice finds another father figure in the form of his prickly, reluctant mentor.
That is Jack Salter (David Harbour). The Nissan marketing exec who wants to turn gamers into racers––Danny Moore,...
- 8/14/2023
- by Lena Wilson
- The Film Stage
District 9 director Neill Blomkamp’s true-life tale is unable to swerve the cliches yet delivers pedal-to-the-metal entertainment
South African-Canadian director Neill Blomkamp arrived with a bang in 2009 thanks to District 9, an urgent sci-fi fable that used modern fears of extraterrestrial invaders to tell an old-as-time story of racism and segregation. Blomkamp’s interest in wryly satirical socioeconomic sci-fi continued through the big-budget ecocide parable Elysium (2013) and the altogether more anarchically scrappy Chappie (2015) in which a sentient armoured police robot is led into a life of crime.
On the surface, this “based on a true story” account of video gamer turned race car driver Jann Mardenborough may seem like a left turn for a film-maker whose career has been built on adventurous fantasy. But if the story of a Darlington-born son of a former professional footballer parlaying video-gaming skills into international racetrack success is not the stuff of fantasy,...
South African-Canadian director Neill Blomkamp arrived with a bang in 2009 thanks to District 9, an urgent sci-fi fable that used modern fears of extraterrestrial invaders to tell an old-as-time story of racism and segregation. Blomkamp’s interest in wryly satirical socioeconomic sci-fi continued through the big-budget ecocide parable Elysium (2013) and the altogether more anarchically scrappy Chappie (2015) in which a sentient armoured police robot is led into a life of crime.
On the surface, this “based on a true story” account of video gamer turned race car driver Jann Mardenborough may seem like a left turn for a film-maker whose career has been built on adventurous fantasy. But if the story of a Darlington-born son of a former professional footballer parlaying video-gaming skills into international racetrack success is not the stuff of fantasy,...
- 8/13/2023
- by Mark Kermode
- The Guardian - Film News
"Gran Turismo", a new sports drama feature, directed by Neill Blomkamp, based on racing simulation video games developed by Polyphony Digital for PlayStation systems and inspired by the true story of 'Jann Mardenborough', a player who aspired to be a competive race car driver, stars David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe, Darren Barnet, Geri Halliwell Horner and Djimon Hounsou, releasing August 25, 2023 in theaters:
"....'Gran Turismo is the most recent of several video game adaptations planned by Sony Pictures and PlayStation Studios, joining an array of PlayStation exclusives going from consoles to live-action, including major titles 'Days Gone' and 'God of War'.
"The film is about more than just racing and the rush it brings Its about a gamer whose skills won a series of 'Nissan'-sponsored video game competitions, who then becomes an actual professional race car driver..."
"Set to Nas' classic track 'Hate Me Now,...
"....'Gran Turismo is the most recent of several video game adaptations planned by Sony Pictures and PlayStation Studios, joining an array of PlayStation exclusives going from consoles to live-action, including major titles 'Days Gone' and 'God of War'.
"The film is about more than just racing and the rush it brings Its about a gamer whose skills won a series of 'Nissan'-sponsored video game competitions, who then becomes an actual professional race car driver..."
"Set to Nas' classic track 'Hate Me Now,...
- 8/11/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Before being cast in Sony Pictures’ sports action film Gran Turismo, Archie Madekwe was clear on one thing during auditions: He did not have a driver’s license. “I was so honest,” he says. “It wasn’t an, ‘I can ride a horse’ type of thing and I’ll just learn later. I really said, ‘Look, guys, just so you know, I can’t drive.’ “
In the film, Madekwe plays the real-life Jann Mardenborough, who went from playing racing-simulator video game Gran Turismo in his bedroom to becoming a medalist in the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans. It all came after Mardenborough won a season of Gt Academy, a TV program funded by Nissan and Sony Interactive Entertainment to turn skilled Gran Turismo players into pro racers. The film, out Aug. 25, also stars Orlando Bloom and David Harbour.
During the audition process, Madekwe remembers that it was “starting to look like the part [was] going [his] way.
In the film, Madekwe plays the real-life Jann Mardenborough, who went from playing racing-simulator video game Gran Turismo in his bedroom to becoming a medalist in the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans. It all came after Mardenborough won a season of Gt Academy, a TV program funded by Nissan and Sony Interactive Entertainment to turn skilled Gran Turismo players into pro racers. The film, out Aug. 25, also stars Orlando Bloom and David Harbour.
During the audition process, Madekwe remembers that it was “starting to look like the part [was] going [his] way.
- 8/10/2023
- by Sydney Odman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When Sony and Nissan decided to let video gamers compete for a chance to race real-life race cars, Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe) beat about 90,000 other players for the opportunity. This film relates - with a fair degree of poetic licence - the story of what happened next as he trains to become an professional driver, a journey that would become marked by incident.
In terms of story, this is largely a run around a familiar track, with complete with a pitstop involving Jann's desire to win the approval of his ex-professional footballer dad Steve (Djimon Hounsou) and his longing to win on the racing circuit. He is mentored by retired driver Jack Slater (Stranger Things’ David Harbour bringing what depth he can to a role that is also fully kitted out with cliches), as slick marketer Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom) tries to make bank from the situation.
The...
In terms of story, this is largely a run around a familiar track, with complete with a pitstop involving Jann's desire to win the approval of his ex-professional footballer dad Steve (Djimon Hounsou) and his longing to win on the racing circuit. He is mentored by retired driver Jack Slater (Stranger Things’ David Harbour bringing what depth he can to a role that is also fully kitted out with cliches), as slick marketer Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom) tries to make bank from the situation.
The...
- 8/9/2023
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The main driver and heroic gamer of Sony’s “Gran Turismo” is Jann Mardenborough, who did indeed level up “From Gamer to Racer,” as the movie’s poster tagline teases. But in this overly polished retelling of this true story, the biggest hero is actually a Nissan executive here named Danny Moore (played by Orlando Bloom), who wanted to prove that “Gran Turismo” is such a great product that it’s like the real thing.
Continue reading ‘Gran Turismo’ Review: Sony’s Formula-Dumb Biopic About A Marketing Stunt Has Little Rev at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Gran Turismo’ Review: Sony’s Formula-Dumb Biopic About A Marketing Stunt Has Little Rev at The Playlist.
- 8/9/2023
- by Nick Allen
- The Playlist
Archie Madekwe in Gran TurismoImage: Sony
While it’s been ripe for mockery on Twitter—sorry, X—Gran Turismo does have a basis in reality. Indeed, Sony lucked out here, having an actual story to attach to a story-less IP, and an aspirational one at that. After all, what gamer...
While it’s been ripe for mockery on Twitter—sorry, X—Gran Turismo does have a basis in reality. Indeed, Sony lucked out here, having an actual story to attach to a story-less IP, and an aspirational one at that. After all, what gamer...
- 8/8/2023
- by Eric Francisco
- avclub.com
Working in an oft-traversed realm, Gran Turismo director Neill Blomkamp and writers Jason Hall and Zach Baylin have delivered a racing car drama that’s rather different from the others. With plenty of potent auto action, some well-defined characters and welcome fresh components, this is an engaging look at people who overcome their own doubts and perceived shortcomings to help pull off something genuinely unusual. It’s a lively, spunky piece of work with no pretenses and all the more welcome for that. Originally dated for August 11, Sony pivoted amid the actors strike, and is sneak previewing the next two weekends, with the official wide opening on August 25.
For a long time it seemed that becoming a “gamer” was not considered a very likely means of achieving any particular eminence, not to mention real standing, in more legitimate and remunerative realms of endeavor. It was kids’ stuff, certainly something from...
For a long time it seemed that becoming a “gamer” was not considered a very likely means of achieving any particular eminence, not to mention real standing, in more legitimate and remunerative realms of endeavor. It was kids’ stuff, certainly something from...
- 8/8/2023
- by Todd McCarthy
- Deadline Film + TV
While writer-director Neill Blomkamp’s expertise with genre material — from his international breakthrough, sci-fi revelation District 9 (2009), to dystopian dramas Elysium (2013) and Chappie (2015) — makes him a good fit for an action-oriented sports biopic, it’s perhaps his background as a visual effects artist that proves his greatest asset in bringing Gran Turismo to the screen.
Marshaling a well-integrated combination of innovative digital camera techniques, compelling production design choices and an impressive visual style, Blomkamp’s visceral directing emphatically reinforces the film’s dynamic pacing.
Since it’s “based on a true story” (as the title insistently emphasizes), there’s limited potential for dramatic license with the available material. And while subject Jann Mardenborough has an inspiring backstory, the filmmakers don’t manage to wring much tension from a series of fairly predictable plot developments. But video game enthusiasts, including a sizable audience of Gran Turismo devotees and motorsports fans motivated...
Marshaling a well-integrated combination of innovative digital camera techniques, compelling production design choices and an impressive visual style, Blomkamp’s visceral directing emphatically reinforces the film’s dynamic pacing.
Since it’s “based on a true story” (as the title insistently emphasizes), there’s limited potential for dramatic license with the available material. And while subject Jann Mardenborough has an inspiring backstory, the filmmakers don’t manage to wring much tension from a series of fairly predictable plot developments. But video game enthusiasts, including a sizable audience of Gran Turismo devotees and motorsports fans motivated...
- 8/8/2023
- by Justin Lowe
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Rather than embrace the video-game that inspired it, the film is a simulation of cinema featuring a reliably underwhelming cameo from Geri Halliwell Horner
Product placement has rarely been as chronic or concussive as it is in Gran Turismo, inspired by the real-life experiences of British teenager Jann Mardenborough (played here by the sweetly gauche Archie Madekwe), whose PlayStation proficiency won him the chance to compete as a real-life racing driver in Gt Academy, a Nissan-sponsored promotion intended to get the public loving cars again. Before you can say “Ulez”, he is taking private jets and eating sushi (“This is amazing!”) while glamorous destinations flash by on screen: Tokyo! Dubai! Cardiff!
The contest is the brainchild of Nissan executive Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom), who dreams of turning gamers into racers; Moore, though, comes on like a dullard Willy Wonka as he whittles down the candidates. Thank goodness for David Harbour as Jack Salter,...
Product placement has rarely been as chronic or concussive as it is in Gran Turismo, inspired by the real-life experiences of British teenager Jann Mardenborough (played here by the sweetly gauche Archie Madekwe), whose PlayStation proficiency won him the chance to compete as a real-life racing driver in Gt Academy, a Nissan-sponsored promotion intended to get the public loving cars again. Before you can say “Ulez”, he is taking private jets and eating sushi (“This is amazing!”) while glamorous destinations flash by on screen: Tokyo! Dubai! Cardiff!
The contest is the brainchild of Nissan executive Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom), who dreams of turning gamers into racers; Moore, though, comes on like a dullard Willy Wonka as he whittles down the candidates. Thank goodness for David Harbour as Jack Salter,...
- 8/8/2023
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being reviewed here wouldn't exist.
At this point, the "video game movie" classification feels just about as broad and changeable as that of a "superhero movie." Is there any point in lumping together movies like "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" or "Detective Pikachu" with "Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City" or "Uncharted"? (Does anyone even remember "Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City" or "Uncharted"?) By the same token, any lingering talk of an all-expansive "curse" associated with these adaptations increasingly comes across less like some inexplicable barrier that studios have (mostly) been unable to cross, and more to do with the idea that simply trying to translate a medium as idiosyncratic and immersive as video games into the wildly different language of film has always been self-defeating.
At this point, the "video game movie" classification feels just about as broad and changeable as that of a "superhero movie." Is there any point in lumping together movies like "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" or "Detective Pikachu" with "Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City" or "Uncharted"? (Does anyone even remember "Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City" or "Uncharted"?) By the same token, any lingering talk of an all-expansive "curse" associated with these adaptations increasingly comes across less like some inexplicable barrier that studios have (mostly) been unable to cross, and more to do with the idea that simply trying to translate a medium as idiosyncratic and immersive as video games into the wildly different language of film has always been self-defeating.
- 8/8/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
“Gran Turismo” is a film of contradictions. On the one hand, it’s a video game movie while on the other it’s a true story about how a video game turned one of its players into a legitimate racecar driver. It’s a film aimed at fans of said video game, but not quite a feature built for the whole family. While it’s good in the moment, it’s doubtful you’ll must up much recognition of it within the next few months.
The film tells the story of Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), a teenage boy trying to figure out his path in life. His father Steve (Djimon Hounsou), would love to see Jann go outside and experience life, but the young man would rather spend his day playing the racing game, Gran Turismo.
On the surface, Jann’s story has all the hallmarks of a typical formulaic family film.
The film tells the story of Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), a teenage boy trying to figure out his path in life. His father Steve (Djimon Hounsou), would love to see Jann go outside and experience life, but the young man would rather spend his day playing the racing game, Gran Turismo.
On the surface, Jann’s story has all the hallmarks of a typical formulaic family film.
- 8/8/2023
- by Kristen Lopez
- The Wrap
“Gran Turismo” is a race-car movie that gives the audience a contact high. That’s what you tend to want from an action drama about gleaming supercars zooming around labyrinthine tracks at 300 kilometers per hour. But there’s an innocence to this one, and a surprise authenticity. It’s like a “Fast and Furious” movie made without cynicism, and it gets to you.
The film is based on a true story, which it sticks impressively close to. The central character, Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), is a biracial kid from Cardiff who sits in his room playing Gran Turismo: a state-of-the-art training simulator that’s been marketed as a video game. At home, Jann can take any curve at maximum speed, passing competitors as if he were slicing through space. He’s a vicarious virtuoso. But he dreams of racing real cars, and one day, out of nowhere, the opportunity presents itself.
The film is based on a true story, which it sticks impressively close to. The central character, Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), is a biracial kid from Cardiff who sits in his room playing Gran Turismo: a state-of-the-art training simulator that’s been marketed as a video game. At home, Jann can take any curve at maximum speed, passing competitors as if he were slicing through space. He’s a vicarious virtuoso. But he dreams of racing real cars, and one day, out of nowhere, the opportunity presents itself.
- 8/8/2023
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
After taking on apartheid and economic inequality with “District 9” and “Elysium,” Neill Blomkamp was finally prepared to make a film about the world’s most oppressed social class: gamers.
Rather than a straight adaptation of the video game that shares its name, “Gran Turismo” is a celebration of the people who play it. It’s a pious ode to Sony’s wondrous PlayStation system (anyone with even the slightest grievances with “Air” or “Blackberry” should steer clear of this one), and a grating middle finger to anyone who dares suggest that the answers to a gamer’s problems might lie outside the “Call of Duty” lobby.
It’s also a thrilling retelling of one of the craziest stories in recent sports history, shot with the level of skillful spectacle that the source material demands. Blomkamp might have directed the best 90-minute sports movie of the decade — it’s just...
Rather than a straight adaptation of the video game that shares its name, “Gran Turismo” is a celebration of the people who play it. It’s a pious ode to Sony’s wondrous PlayStation system (anyone with even the slightest grievances with “Air” or “Blackberry” should steer clear of this one), and a grating middle finger to anyone who dares suggest that the answers to a gamer’s problems might lie outside the “Call of Duty” lobby.
It’s also a thrilling retelling of one of the craziest stories in recent sports history, shot with the level of skillful spectacle that the source material demands. Blomkamp might have directed the best 90-minute sports movie of the decade — it’s just...
- 8/8/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
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