MOVIE NEWS – Filming of the live-action feature film Gran Turismo based on the popular video game has begun. Sony Pictures announced on Saturday that the shooting of the film has officially begun, with Neill Blomkamp in the director’s chair.

The company shared a picture from the shoot showing our chalkboard with the film’s official logo. Looking at the background, although very blurred, we can get a first glimpse of the film.

“Gran Turismo has begun filming – the film is based on the inspiring true story of Gran Turismo player Jann Mardenborough, who won a series of gaming competitions that led to his becoming a true professional racing driver,” Sony announced on Twitter.

Filming is now underway on #GranTurismoMovie – based on the inspiring true story of a Gran Turismo player, Jann Mardenborough, who won a series of gaming competitions leading him to become an actual professional racecar driver. 🎬🏎 pic.twitter.com/gV13gEg2G5

— Sony Pictures (@SonyPictures) November 12, 2022

Blomkamp (District 9) is in the director’s chair, the film was written by Jason Hall (Thank You for Your Service). Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan produce for PlayStation Productions alongside Doug Belgrad and Dana Brunetti. According to reports, the film will star Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean), Archie Madekwe (Midsommar, Voyagers) and David Harbor (Hellboy, Stranger Things).

The Gran Turismo video game franchise started in 1997 and has sold more than 85 million video games since then. The game is still going strong, with the latest installment, Gran Turismo 7, released this year. Since the video game series has been popular for a long time, there have already been efforts to get a film adaptation into the ground. At one point, Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) was the director at Sony before that version went through development hell.

It may have helped that other video game adaptations have been successful in recent years. This led to PlayStation Productions embarking on a series of adaptations, Gran Turismo being just one of many. Among them is the Ghost of Tsushima movie, which is being produced by John Wick helmer Chad Stahelski. A TV series based on The Last of Us is also coming to HBO, while a separate series based on Twisted Metal is also being developed at Peacock.

Gran Turismo hits theaters on August 11, 2023.