During Sony’s press event at CES 2023, it has been revealed the first footage from the live-action film adaptation of its popular video game franchise ‘Grand Tour’. Directed by Neill Blomkamp, in his return to the cinema after the failed ‘Demonic’, the film stars Orlando Bloom and David Harbor and is based “on the inspiring true story of an impossible dream.”
Summoning ‘Days of Thunder’
The racing simulation video game debuted in 1997, has eight installments and its adaptation was announced in May 2022. Despite its big stars, the protagonist is Archie Madekwe, who will play Jann Mardenborough, a British professional racing driver who was the youngest winner of the Nissan GT Academy competition, and the adaptation will tell his story that began playing car video games.
Sci-fi director Neill Blomkamp discussed the advantages of shooting the film with Sony Venice 2 cameras with the Rialto extension system, which allowed them to fit IMAX-resolution cameras into very small spaces. One example cited was the Le Mans prototype car, which has very small cabin areas. The system also allowed Blomkamp to recreate popular angles from the video game.such as the third-person view from behind the vehicle and the famous grille shots.
That’s a wrap on 7 weeks filming around the world on the fastest film ever made. The GranTurismo movie. From +35 degrees to -5 my incredible @Nissan GTR camera car performed faultlessly. We broke new grounds on how to film race cars actually racing. Incredible journey. pic.twitter.com/8K3mtBVcO9
— Mauro Calo (@Thecarmagdriver) December 16, 2022
The trailer shows some of those shots, along with messages from Bloom, Harbor and Madekwe for those waiting for the movie, which is just one of at least 10 Sony games currently in production for film adaptation at PlayStation Productions. Titles mentioned include ‘Twisted Metal’ and ‘God of War’, both confirmed for the big screen. ‘Gran Turismo’ will be in theaters on August 11, 2023.