Gran Turismo (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gran Turismo |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Neill Blomkamp |
| Produced by |
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| Screenplay by |
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| Story by |
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| Music by |
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| Cinematography | Jacques Jouffret |
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| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Releasing |
| Release date(s) | July 30, 2023 (Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps) August 25, 2023 (United States) |
| Running time | 134 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $60 million |
| Money made | $22.6 million |
Gran Turismo is a 2023 American biographical sports drama film. It was directed by Neill Blomkamp. The movie is based on the popular racing video game series. It tells the amazing true story of Jann Mardenborough. He was a teenage Gran Turismo player who became a real professional race car driver.
The film stars Archie Madekwe as Jann Mardenborough. Other main actors include David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, and Djimon Hounsou. Gran Turismo first showed in Belgium on July 30, 2023. It was released in the United States on August 25, 2023.
Contents
The Story of Gran Turismo
The film begins with Danny Moore, a marketing executive at Nissan. He has a big idea: to create the GT Academy. This academy would find the best Gran Turismo video game players. Then, it would train them to become real race car drivers.
Danny hires Jack Salter, a former race car driver. Jack is now a mechanic. He is asked to train these new players. At first, Jack doesn't want the job. But he changes his mind because he is tired of his current team's arrogant driver.
Meanwhile, we meet Jann Mardenborough. He is a teenager from Cardiff, Wales. Jann loves playing Gran Turismo. He dreams of becoming a professional racer. His father, a former footballer, doesn't approve of this dream.
Jann's Big Chance
One day, Jann learns he can join a special race. If he wins, he can enter the GT Academy. This is because he set a record time on a track in the game. The night before the race, Jann goes to a party with his brother. They borrow their father's car without permission. Jann meets a girl named Audrey at the party.
When the police arrive, Jann drives away to avoid trouble. He and his brother escape, but their father catches them when they return home. The next morning, Jann's father tries to teach him a lesson. But Jann leaves early to go to the qualifying race. He wins the race and earns a spot in the GT Academy.
Training at GT Academy
At the academy, Jack Salter puts the players through tough tests. Ten competitors are narrowed down to five. During one test, Jann crashes with Jack in the car. Jann says the brakes were faulty. Later, experts prove he was right. This surprises Jack.
The final five players compete in a race. The winner will represent Nissan. Jann barely wins against an American competitor named Matty Davis. Danny Moore wants Matty because he thinks Matty is better for marketing. But Jack insists that Jann should be chosen. So, Jann gets the spot.
Becoming a Pro Racer
Jann is told he needs to finish at least fourth in one of his first races. If he does, he will get a professional racing license and a contract with Nissan. In his first professional race, he finishes last. Another driver, Nicholas Capa, causes him to spin out. Jann slowly gets better in the next few races. But he doesn't finish the second-to-last race.
For his last chance, Jann goes to Dubai. During this race, Capa crashes. Jann's windshield cracks from the debris. Despite this, Jann finishes fourth! He earns his license. He then travels to Tokyo to sign his contract. He uses some of his bonus money to fly Audrey to Tokyo, and they start a relationship.
The Nürburgring Accident
Jann's first race after signing his contract is at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. He starts well and is in a good position. But his car lifts into the air at a corner. It hits a barrier and crashes into a spectator area. Jann is taken to the hospital. Sadly, a serious accident occurred, and someone was hurt.
Jann doesn't want to race again after the crash. Jack takes him back to the Nürburgring. There, Jack tells Jann about his own past. Jack was in a fatal accident at 24 Hours of Le Mans, which made him stop racing. An investigation clears Jann of any blame for the Nürburgring crash. But some people start to doubt if sim drivers are safe. To prove them wrong, Danny Moore decides a team of sim drivers should race at Le Mans. They need to finish on the podium (top three) to show they are good enough.
The Le Mans Race
Moore chooses Jann, Matty Davis, and Antonio Cruz for the three-driver team at Le Mans. On race day, Jann's father apologizes for not supporting his racing dream earlier. Early in the race, Jann is shaken when another car crashes and catches fire. But Jack encourages him. He plays motivational music through Jann's car radio, just like Jann used during training.
Matty and Cruz complete their turns without problems. But Cruz has to come in early because of cramps. In the pit stop, a wheel nut comes loose. This makes Jann lose several positions. He drives differently from the usual racing lines to catch up. He even breaks the lap record! In the final lap, Jann is racing against Capa. Jann narrowly wins, finishing third. This earns Nissan a spot on the podium.
In the end, we learn that the real Jann Mardenborough has competed in over 200 races. He even served as his own stunt double in the film!
Meet the Cast
- Archie Madekwe as Jann Mardenborough, the young gamer who becomes a professional racer.
- David Harbour as Jack Salter, Jann's tough but supportive trainer.
- Orlando Bloom as Danny Moore, the Nissan marketing executive with the big idea.
- Darren Barnet as Matty Davis, a top GT Academy driver and Jann's friendly rival.
- Geri Halliwell as Lesley Mardenborough, Jann's mother.
- Djimon Hounsou as Steve Mardenborough, Jann's father.
- Takehiro Hira as Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator of Gran Turismo.
- Josha Stradowski as Nicholas Capa, a rival driver who causes trouble for Jann.
- Daniel Puig as Coby Mardenborough, Jann's brother.
- Maeve Courtier-Lilley as Audrey, Jann's love interest.
- Thomas Kretschmann as Patrice Capa, Nicholas' father.
- Emelia Hartford as Leah Vega.
- Pepe Barroso as Antonio Cruz.
How the Film Was Made
Getting Started
Talk about a long journey! A film based on Gran Turismo was first thought about in 2013. Then, in 2015, a director named Joseph Kosinski was set to make it. But that version didn't happen.
Finally, in May 2022, the film was announced again! Neill Blomkamp was chosen to direct it. The main actors were cast in September 2022. It was confirmed that the movie would tell the true story of Jann Mardenborough.
Filming the Races
Filming for Gran Turismo started in Hungary in November 2022. It finished in December of the same year. The cinematographer, Jacques Jouffret, used special cameras. These cameras could fit into tight spots inside the race cars. This helped make the racing scenes look very real.
Guess what? The real Jann Mardenborough was a co-producer on the film. He also worked as the racing stunt double for Archie Madekwe, who played him! How cool is that?
The Music
The music for the film was composed by Lorne Balfe and Andrew Kawczynski. The soundtrack album was released on August 11, 2023.
Release Information
Gran Turismo had its first showing at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on July 30, 2023. It was released in the United States on August 25, 2023.
A special update was added to the video game Gran Turismo 7. It included a car design inspired by the movie. Players who watched the movie trailer in the game got this design for free!
