Gran Turismo: Star-studded action blockbuster based on the true story of a young gamer whose outstanding skills lead him to become a real-life race car driver.
Plot and background
Just on the basis of playing a PlayStation game about car racing, can you also participate in real racing competitions and even win? At GT Academy, thousands of gamers* want the chance to prove it. The basis is the “Gran Turismo” series, in which you can recreate some of the most famous race tracks in the world.
Among the 90,000 participants is Briton Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), a penniless teenager from a working-class family who dreams of making a career for himself as a racing driver. He already knows the tracks inside out, and has converted his room into a racing simulation. When Sony and Nissan announce the GT Academy competition, Jann is on fire.
Organizer Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom) doesn’t just want to beat the advertising drum with the competition. To crown a competitive racer, it takes more than just a good grasp of the tracks. The trainer Jack Salter (David Harbour) is hired to shape the participants into real athletes. After all, any mistake on the track could end in a fatal accident for the riders.
“Gran Turismo” – True behind the scenes, cast, theatrical release
You’ve been able to recreate the world’s most famous race tracks in the “Gran Turismo” video game series for the PlayStation consoles since 1997. The GT Academy – a combination of e-sports tournament and racing driver school – was launched in 2008 by Nissan and Sony. Briton Yann Mardenborough was crowned GT Academy winner in 2011 and went on to launch a career as a racing driver. In his debut race, he made it to the podium in his class in the Dubai 24 Hours.
In the film adaptation by director Neil Blomkamp (“District 9”), newcomer Archie Madekwe (“Midsommar”) slips into the role of the underdog. He is joined by stars such as David Harbour (“Stranger Things”), Orlando Bloom (“Lord of the Rings” trilogy), Djimon Hounsou (“Blood Diamond”), Darren Barnet (“Never Have I Ever”) and Spice Girl Geri Halliwell. On August 10, 2023, the biopic “Gran Turismo” will be released in German cinemas.
