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Gran Turismo (film)

Gran Turismo is a 2023 biographical sports drama film based on the Gran Turismo video game series and the life of British racing driver Jann Mardenborough.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Gran Turismo is a 2023 biographical sports drama film based on the Gran Turismo video game series and the life of British racing driver Jann Mardenborough. Directed by Neill Blomkamp, it stars Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, and Orlando Bloom. The film presents a dramatized account of Mardenborough’s rise from gamer to professional racer.

Premise

Gran Turismo follows Jann Mardenborough, a teenage player of the Gran Turismo games who becomes a professional racing driver. The story is a dramatized version of his rise through the GT Academy competition.

Production

The film was produced by Columbia Pictures, PlayStation Productions, and 2.0 Entertainment. Neill Blomkamp directed it from a screenplay by Jason Hall and Zach Baylin.

Cast

Archie Madekwe stars as Jann Mardenborough. The supporting cast includes David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Darren Barnet, Geri Halliwell Horner, and Djimon Hounsou.

Release and reception

Gran Turismo premiered in Belgium in July 2023 and opened in the United States in August 2023. Critics gave it mixed reviews, praising the racing sequences and direction while criticizing aspects of the writing. The film grossed about $122 million worldwide against a reported $60 million budget.

Key facts

  • Based on the Gran Turismo video game series and the career of Jann Mardenborough.
  • Directed by Neill Blomkamp, starring Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, and Orlando Bloom.
  • Premiered in Belgium on 30 July 2023 and released in U.S. cinemas on 25 August 2023.
  • Received mixed reviews and grossed $122 million worldwide on a $60 million budget.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing in North America and is part of a major Sony/PlayStation film adaptation, which is relevant to Canadian audiences through theatrical release and home-viewing availability.

Frequently asked questions

What is Gran Turismo (film) about?
It is a dramatized true-story film about Jann Mardenborough, a Gran Turismo player who became a professional racing driver.
Who directed Gran Turismo?
Neill Blomkamp directed the film.
Who plays Jann Mardenborough?
Archie Madekwe plays Jann Mardenborough.
Is Gran Turismo based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on the real-life career of Jann Mardenborough, though the film is a dramatized account.
When was the film released?
It premiered in July 2023 and was released in U.S. cinemas on 25 August 2023.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gran_Turismo_(film)
    Supports: Release year, genre, director, cast, premise, premiere, U.S. release, worldwide gross, and critical reception.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gran_turismo_based_on_a_true_story
    Supports: Title variant, director, screenwriters, distributor, genre, release date, runtime, and synopsis.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4495098/
    Supports: Release year, rating, runtime, and basic identification.
  4. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/gran-turismo-based-on-a-true-story/umc.cmc.y4i1wacgdtsy9cxw2x15f9k3
    Supports: Director, principal cast, runtime, and release-year identification.
  5. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81672085
    Supports: Alternate title, genre categorization, and principal cast.