The Last Cardriver
Sony Pictures Entertainment, (yes, really), has released the first full trailer for its upcoming big-screen adaptation of one of the most successful driving simulators of all time, Gran Turismo. The new film, directed by Neill Blomkamp (District 9, CHAPPiE) will arrive in theaters this August.
The picture will tell a somewhat dramatized version of the very real story of die-hard Gran Turismo fan Jann Mardenborough, who won a series of Nissan-sponsored Gran Turismo tournaments, before eventually going on to become a bona-fide championship racing car driver. Mardenborough will be portrayed in the movie by Archie Madekwe (Midsommer) and will be joined by cast members Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings), Djimon Hounson (Guardians of the Galaxy), David Harbour (Stranger Things) and former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.
‘Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!’
While I see the potential in this surprising adaptation — great cars driving fast makes for an awesome spectacle, after all — I can’t help but wonder if we might not ultimately be looking at a two-hour ad for PlayStation hardware, Gran Turismo games, and car manufacturers. There’s a possibility that Gran Turismo, with its real-world storytelling and use of legitimate branding, might give the 007 franchise a run for its money when it comes to product placement. Also, Video Game Fans are Dorks Jokes. Well done.
Ah, I’m sure they’ll be plenty of sleek and sexy vehicles for car fans, and maybe Geri will give us a few lines of “Wannabe” into the bargain. This whole trailer has a vibe very reminiscent of Top Gun Maverick, but we’ll have to see whether Gran Turismo also takes 1.49 billion dollars when it finally accelerates into the cinemas this August. I hope CHAPPiE shows up in a cameo, doing some Funny Rap Dancing.
For the rest of us “couch-surfing losers”, Gran Turismo 7 is available now on PlayStation platforms.
