Gran Turismo

***Gran Turismo*** (also known as ***Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story*** in some countries) is a 2023 American biographical sports drama film directed by Neill Blomkamp from a screenplay by Jason Hall and Zach Baylin. Produced by Columbia Pictures, PlayStation Productions, and 2.0 Entertainment, it is based on the racing simulation video game series of the same name developed by Polyphony Digital. It tells the true story of Jann Mardenborough, a teenage *Gran Turismo* player who became a professional race car driver. The film stars Archie Madekwe as Mardenborough alongside David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Darren Barnet, Emelia Hartford, Geri Halliwell Horner, and Djimon Hounsou.

Development of a film based on *Gran Turismo* was revealed in July 2013, with Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti producing and a script by Alex Tse. Joseph Kosinski was set to direct the film in June 2015 from a new screenplay by Jon and Erich Hoeber. However, the Kosinski version was no longer moving forward as of February 2018. In May 2022, it was announced the film was again in development, with Blomkamp attached to direct it in June. The main cast were announced in September 2022, while other cast additions signed in November. Filming began in Hungary in the same month and wrapped in December. In post-production, the score, initially by Stephen Barton, was composed by Lorne Balfe and Andrew Kawczynski.

*Gran Turismo* premiered at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on July 30, 2023, and was released in limited theatrical release on August 11, followed by a wide release on August 25 in the United States, by Sony Pictures Releasing. The film received mixed reviews from critics and generated controversy for its usage of Mardenborough's crash at the Nürburgring Nordschleife as a narrative element.

## Plot

Following a pitch by marketing executive Danny Moore, the motorsport division of Nissan establishes the GT Academy to recruit skilled players of the racing simulator "Gran Turismo" and turn them into real racing drivers. Moore recruits former driver-turned-mechanic Jack Salter to train the players. Salter is initially hesitant but accepts after tiring of the arrogance of his team's driver, Nicholas Capa. Meanwhile, Jann Mardenborough, a teenage retail employee and gamer from Cardiff, Wales, is an avid player of the simulator and wants to become a racing driver, despite the disapproval of his former footballer father.

One day, Jann learns he is eligible for a qualification race to join the GT Academy after setting a time record for a particular track. The night before his race, Jann is invited by his brother Coby to a party, and the brothers take their father's car. Jann flirts with a young woman called Audrey. The gathering is disbanded after police arrive, and Jann initiates a pursuit after driving away when their friends are pulled over. The brothers escape but are caught returning by their father. Jann is taken to his father's place of employment the next morning in an attempt to be taught a life lesson, but leaves early to partake in the qualifying race, which he wins, earning a place in GT Academy.

At the academy camp, Salter puts the competitors through their paces in various tests, through which ten competitors are narrowed down to five. During one of which, Jann crashes with Salter in the car and claims the brakes were glazed, later proven correct by analysts, to Salter's surprise. The remaining five compete in a final race to determine who will represent Nissan. Jann narrowly wins the race against American competitor Matty Davis, but Moore insists Matty should be chosen as the representative due to his better commercial viability. However, Jann is chosen at Salter's insistence.

Jann is told that if he finishes at least fourth in any one of a series of qualifying races, he will earn a professional licence and contract with Nissan. He finishes last in his first professional race after Nicholas taps him into a spin, and despite gradually improving over the next few races, he does not finish the penultimate race. He travels to Dubai for his last qualifying race, during which Nicholas takes a corner too fast and crashes. Despite the debris from this crash cracking his windshield, Jann achieves a fourth-place finish and earns his license. He then travels to Tokyo with Moore and Salter to sign his contract, and uses his signing bonus to fly his crush Audrey to Tokyo. During this time, they initiate a relationship.

Jann's first race after signing is at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. He starts the race well and maintains a high position until the front of his car lifts into the air at the Flugplatz corner, hitting a barrier and launching into a crowded spectator area. Jann is hospitalized and informed that a spectator was killed, much to his horror. Reluctant to return to racing after the crash, Salter takes him back to the Nürburgring, during which he reveals he was involved in a fatal accident at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which led to his retirement from driving. An inquiry clears Jann of any wrongdoing, but professional sentiment begins to turn against sim drivers. In response, Moore decides a sim driver team should compete at Le Mans and finish on the podium to prove their viability.

Moore enlists Matty and fellow GT Academy participant Antonio Cruz to make up the three-driver team alongside Jann. On race day, Jann's father apologises for not initially being supportive of his passions. Early in the race, Jann is left shaken after another competitor's car crashes and catches fire, but is encouraged through his first shift by Salter playing "Songbird" and "Orinoco Flow" through the car's communication system, which Jann had previously used as motivational music during training. Matty and Antonio complete their first shifts without issue, but the latter is brought in from his last session early due to experiencing cramps. A wheel nut breaks loose in the pit area, causing Jann to lose several positions. He deviates from advised racing lines to regain his positions, breaking the competition lap record in the process. The final lap sees Jann pitted against Nicholas, with Jann once again narrowly in front on the final straight to earn third place and a podium finish for Nissan.

In the epilogue, the real Jann Mardenborough is shown having competed in over 200 races and served as his own stunt double in the film.