The cast of the Gran Turismo movie will include some big names. Shortly after it was announced that David Harbour (Stranger Things, Hellboy, Black Widow) had been cast in a major role in the video game adaptation, a new report (via THR) has just revealed that another actor who will be starring Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings series, Pirates of the Caribbean series, Carnival Row). Archie Madekwe (Midsommar, Voyagers, See) also stars in a main role.
The Gran Turismo movie is based on a true story, taking a meta approach to the plot by following a big fan of the Gran Turismo video games. Described as the "ultimate wish-fulfillment tale," it follows a teenage gamer (Madekwe) whose skills at the games had earned him a chance to compete in a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual pro racecar driver. Harbour co-stars as a retired driver who serves as a mentor to the teen while Bloom will play a "hungry marketing exec who is selling the sport of motor racing ... and just may believe in its art, too."
Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium) is directing the film with a screenplay by Jason Hall (American Sniper) and Zach Baylin (King Richard). PlayStation Productions' Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan are producing alongside Doug Belgrad and Dana Brunetti, while game creator Kazunori Yamauchi and Hall will executive produce.
Orlando Bloom is well known for his role as Legolas in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film series, and he is just as revered for his run as Will Turner in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. He has also appeared in movies like Black Hawk Down, Troy, The Three Musketeers, and The Outpost. Bloom currently stars in the Prime Video series Carnival Row.
Gran Turismo Is Just the Latest Video Game Adaptation to Get Greenlit
Perhaps it has been the recent success of video game movies that has gotten the Gran Turismo film to finally get its wheels spinning. There have been efforts in the past to get a movie made, at one point with Top Gun: Maverick helmer Joseph Kosinski attached, but the film just never made its way out of development hell. With a solid cast in place and a date on the board, it's now looking good for the Gran Turismo movie, especially with reports that we are one week out from production.
Gran Turismo is scheduled to be released in movie theaters by Sony on Aug. 11, 2023. Shooting will start this month in Europe.