David Harbour, who portrays Jim Hopper in Netflix’s Stranger Things, is reportedly set to star in Sony’s movie adaptation of the Gran Turismo racing game series. Deadline was the first to report. Additionally, See actor Archie Madekwe has been cast as the lead, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Yet another report has now emerged that says Orlando Bloom has joined the cast as well.
Neill Blomkamp (District 9) is directing from a screenplay reportedly written by Jason Hall (American Sniper) and Zach Baylan. PlayStation Productions’ Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan, Doug Belgrad, and Dana Brunetti will serve as producers.
The plot synopsis for the film reads, “Based on a true story, 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 race car driver.” While it might seem strange to adapt a video game and not use its plot–it’s worth mentioning that as a racing game, Gran Turismo doesn’t have a plot.
Madekwe will play the teen and Harbour will play a retired driver who teaches the youngster to drive, according to THR. Bloom is lined up to play a “hungry marketing exec who is selling the sport of motor racing … and just may believe in its art, too,” according to THR. Filming begins in Europe this month.
Blomkamp is no stranger to video game movies, as he was working with The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson on a Halo film years ago before it all fell apart. He and Jackson went on to make District 9 after Halo crumbled, and the movie became a cult success. Blomkamp later directed Elysium with Matt Damon. In addition to his ongoing work in the film space, Blomkamp is working with developer Gunzilla on a battle royale game called Off The Grid for release in 2023.
The Gran Turismo movie is due to arrive August 11, 2023.
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