How and Where to Watch ‘Gran Turismo’: Release Date, Streaming Options, and More
Gran Turismo already has quite the fanbase behind it thanks to the popular Playstation game that the film is based on. It’s not the first video game that Sony has brought to the big screen recently. However, it is the latest.
Here’s what you need to know about the Gran Turismo movie!
Gran Turismo Has Been in the Works for A While
While the movie only recently came out, Gran Turismo has been almost 10 years in the making. Talks for a movie adaptation of the game have been going on since 2013 with Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti as producers. Alex Tse was set to write the script, and Joseph Kosinski was set to direct. However, the plans fell through in 2018 but were revived in 2022, leading to the movie we see in theaters today.
Neil Blomkamp is at the helm of Gran Turismo. In case you’re not familiar, Blomkamp directed District 9. The film marked his directorial debut and even received an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Blomkamp is also known for his documentary-style approach, hand-held visuals, and photo-realistic effects.
What Fans Need to Know About the Gran Turismo Movie
The Gran Turismo movie is based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough. Mardenborough loved playing racing games as a teenager and joined the online trials for GT Academy to see if he could turn his dream into a reality. Mardenborough was among 90,000 other hopefuls, but he persisted.
In 2011, Mardenborough became the third winner of the GT Academy competition. Mardenborough also made history as the youngest winner in the competition’s history. Since then, Mardenborough has competed in several major races and competitions including the Formula 3 European Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He’s still racing today.
The movie’s official synopsis reads:
“‘Gran Turismo’ is based on the unbelievable true story of a team of unlikely underdogs – a struggling working-class gamer, a failed former racecar driver, and an idealistic motorsport executive. Together, they risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world.”
Gran Turismo Cast
Archie Madekwe plays the real-life racer Jann Mardenborough. Madekwe is known for his appearances in Midsommar and the series See. Madekwe also appears in the Netflix movie Heart of Stone starring Gal Gadot.
David Harbour plays the retired racecar driver Jim Salter, who mentors Jann in the sport. Harbour is known for playing Sherrif Jim Hopper in the hugely popular Netflix series Stranger Things.
Orlando Bloom plays Danny Moore. The Hollywood Reporter describes Bloom’s character as a “hungry marketing exec who is selling the sport of motor racing…and just may believe in its art too.”
Darren Barnett of Never Have I Ever plays Matty Davis, the top driver at the GT Academy who is jealous of Jann’s success.
Geri Halliwell of Spice Girls fame is also in the movie as Jann’s mother Lesley. Daniel Puig plays Jann’s brother. Djimon Hounsou plays Jann’s father Steve Mardenborough.
Other stars in the movie include Sang Heon Lee, Josha Stradowski, Thomas Kretschmann, Richard Cambridge, Emelia Hartford, Max Mundt, Harki Bhambra, Nikhil Parmar, Mariano Gonzalez, Theo Christine, Lindsay Pattison, and Pepe Barroso.
The script is written by Jason Hall, known for penning American Sniper and Thank You For Your Service.
When Is the Release Date for Gran Turismo?
The Gran Turismo movie premiered at the Circuit de Spa-Franchamps, the motor-racing circuit in Belgium, on July 30, 2023. Sony Pictures released the movie on August 25, more than a week after its initial release date of August 11. The Gran Turismo’s August 11 premiere date continued internationally, where it made $10.7 million in its opening weekend.
Is Gran Turismo in Theaters?
Internationally, Gran Turismo was released in theaters on August 11, 2023. However, the film was delayed in the US due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. The film released in theaters in the US on August 25, 2023.
Showtimes for Gran Turismo
You can check out your local showtimes for the movie in your nearest theater.
Gran Turismo Trailer
Sony Pictures released a trailer for the Gran Turismo movie on January 5, 2023. The trailer at the time gave a sneak peek into the movie. The full trailer was released on the Sony Pictures YouTube channel on May 2, 2023. The trailer set up the story of how a gamer became a real-life racer.
A few weeks later on May 23, the movie released a featurette which highlighted the true story the movie is based on. It also shows how Jann Mardenborough himself did the driving for the stunt work. The second trailer for Gran Turismo was released on July 20, 2023.
When Does Gran Turismo Come Out on Streaming?
No word yet on when the Gran Turismo movie will arrive on the streaming platforms. However, due to the deal between Sony and Netflix in 2021, we can expect the movie to make its way to the streaming service a few months after its premiere.
Recent releases by Sony Pictures such as A Man Called Otto, The Woman King, and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody all made it to Netflix four months after their respective releases.
When Will Gran Turismo Be on DVD and Blu-ray?
There’s no word yet on the physical releases of the Gran Turismo movie on DVD and Blu-ray. Though it’s release on DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital will likely be ahead of its arrival on Netflix.
Is the Gran Turismo Movie Good?
FanBolt’s editor, Emma Loggins, gave the film a B+ in her movie review, calling the film “a solid sports biopic” and noting that it was, “a feel-good movie full of action, heart, and a lot of fun.”
Other Similar Racing Movies You Can Watch Right Now
Have yet to watch Gran Turismo? Here are some racing movies you watch ahead:
Racing Dreams (2009) – Director Marshall Curry goes behind the scenes at the World Karting Association where hopefuls can get their shot at NASCAR. The film won Best Documentary at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) – Will Ferrell leads this sports comedy about a NASCAR driver named Ricky Bobby who struggles with the pressures that come with the sport. It’s a classic comedy that still shows the dangers in the world of motorsports.
Rush (2013) – The film is based on the historic rivalry between Formula 1 drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda (played by Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl).
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