Though pop culture is witnessing a comeback for video game films, the Gran Turismo movie will stand out from the others due to its being based on a true story. Neill Blomkamp is bringing Mardenborough’s narrative to the big screen. David Harbour, who starred in Stranger Things, and Orlando Bloom, who previously starred in The Lord of the Rings, will star in the next movie. Additionally, newcomer Archie Madekwe will play Mardenborough.
Teenage player Jann Mardenborough was inspired by the PlayStation racing car simulator. He leveraged his gaming skills to become a professional race car driver in 2011 after winning a spot at Nissan’s PlayStation GT Academy.
The movie’s US and Canada release is scheduled for August 25th, providing audiences in these regions with the opportunity to witness Jann Mardenborough’s inspiring journey from a gamer to a professional racing driver.
Is Gran Turismo Movie True Story?
Yes, the movie “Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story” is indeed based on a true story. The film follows the remarkable and almost unbelievable journey of British Racing Driver Jann Mardenborough. 1991 saw the birth of Jann Mardenborough in Darlington, County Durham, England. His father, Steve Mardenborough, was a former professional football player who played over 300 Football League games in his career. Mardenborough’s father in the Gran Turismo film is portrayed by Djimon Hounsou. Djimon Hounsou is most recognized for his parts as Shazam’s wizard and Juba in Gladiator! wrath of the deities.
Geri Halliwell, of the Spice Girls, better known as “Ginger Spice,” plays his mother, Lesley Mardenborough. The majority of Mardenborough’s early years were spent in Cardiff. Mardenborough grew up playing the Gran Turismo racing video games on the PlayStation.
Jann Mardenborough at GT Academy
When Jann advanced to the GT Academy, his skill as a Gran Turismo player ultimately led to a career as a professional race car driver. The Gran Turismo racing simulation games allowed Mardenborough to “drive cars I’d probably never, ever get to drive,” which is why he liked them, he said in a 2014 interview with The Guardian. He continued, saying that after years of gaming, he was finally able to accomplish his “childhood dream,” which he found to be “very fulfilling.”
Apart from the Gran Turismo video games, Mardenborough had no genuine racing experience. Further, he had no real interest in racing vehicles until he enrolled at the GT Academy at the age of 19. Because of this, his tale is unusual in the motorsports industry and provides a special foundation for a sports biopic.
The goal of the GT Academy was to provide the top Gran Turismo gamers with the chance to advance their virtual racing abilities to a real racecourse to pursue a career in professional racing. From 2008 through 2016, Nissan and Sony Interactive Entertainment provided funding for the academy.
Further, demonstrating their mettle in a series of gaming events, Gran Turismo gamers were accepted into the academy. In GT Academy gamers could learn how to drive a real race vehicle and maybe earn a seat on the Nissan racing squad.
With his Gran Turismo gaming prowess, Jann Mardenborough won several tournaments and was admitted to the GT Academy. Mardenborough became the third and youngest winner of the GT Academy competition in 2011. After defeating 90,000 other competitors. He was given the chance to drive for Nissan at the Dubai 24-Hour event as a result of his victory.
Jann Mardenborough Racing Career
Mardenborough’s ascent is remarkable considering, at the age of 19. He had never taken motorsport competition seriously before 2011. Mardenborough competed in the GT Academy in 2011 and won the competition. His reward was a drive with Nissan during the Dubai 24 Hours.
Mardenborough participated in the British GT Championship in 2012. He finished the season in sixth place in the GT3 championship with a race win shared with Alex Buncombe. In addition, he competed in four Blancpain Endurance Series events.
Jann Mardenborough Formula Racing
Mardenborough made the conversion to Formula Racing in 2013. Mardenborough began the 2013 Toyota Racing Series season in New Zealand at the beginning of the year. He concluded the season in tenth place in the championship, making him the best-placed rookie. Following that, he made his way back to Europe. In Europe, he was able to sign a contract with Carlin Motorsport for the 2013 British Formula 3 Championship and FIA European Formula Three Championship.
Following a single F3 season, Mardenborough secured a contract with Arden International to participate in the 2014 GP3 Series. He was also recruited by the Red Bull Junior Team, which is responsible for developing drivers. After starting from the back of the field in the sprint race and turning the fastest lap, he won his first Formula Three race in Germany.
Additionally, he competed in the Spa 24 Hours in a Nissan GT-R GT3 alongside Peter Pyzera, Wolfgang Reip, and Lucas Ordonez during the summer. The GT Academy team as a whole finished third in the ProAm Category and seventh overall.
Mardenborough At Goodwood Festival
Using the optional “Time Attack” package on the Nismo Nissan GT-R, Mardenborough established a record for the fastest Supercar time up the renowned “Goodwood Hill” at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
In addition, his GT3-class Nissan GT-R Nismo caught air at the Nürburgring Nordschleife’s Flugplatz on March 28, 2015. Thanks to his accomplishments and increasing international recognition, Mardenborough was ranked 50th on Sports Pro Media’s 2015 list of the world’s 50 most marketable athletes.
Mardenborough began competing for Toyota in the Super Formula Series in Japan in 2017. Later, Mardenborough participated in Super GT competitions for Team Impul from 2017 to 2018. He competed with Kondō Racing in 2019.
Horrific Mishap in 2015
At a race in 2015, Jann’s GT3-class Nissan GT-R Nismo encountered air at the Nürburgring Nordschleife’s Flugplatz. The vehicle spun around and went over the fence to the area where onlookers were seated. In this particular accident, one person lost their life, while the racer escaped major injury.
Gran Turismo’s 2015 horror crash was incorporated into the storyline because Jann wanted to incorporate the genuine tale of this occurrence into the film. Also, he considered it a disservice to the viewers if that had not been included.
The film’s aesthetic is expertly put together, superbly capturing the adrenaline rush of racing. Moreover, with stunningly rendered driving networks, terrifying motors, along squealing tyres, each shot transports the spectator to the immersive sensation of fast-paced action.
Gran Turismo Movie FAQs
A- Yes, it is based on the life of Mardenborough, who grew up enjoying the PlayStation racing game Gran Turismo.
A- Talented Gran Turismo gamers have the chance to pursue a real-world racing career with Nissan through GT Academy.
A- The founder of Gran Turismo is Kazunori Yamauchi.
A- Grand tourer, sometimes known as a gran tourer, is a car type intended for fast speeds and long-distance driving.
A- The price of GT cars in India is starting from around Rs 4 Crore.
A- A valid driver’s license, being older than 18, a minimum of a class license, and never having a racing license comparable to the Motor Sports Association UK were requirements set by GT Academy.
