When Need for Speed was released back in 2014, it didn't make much of an impact with critics or at the box office. As a result, there's definitely been some confusion surrounding Sony's decision to move forward with a Gran Turismo movie. The games have never really featured much of a story, and the franchise doesn't lend itself to Fast & Furious-style action scenes!
Regardless, we now have a first look at this big screen adaptation (via GameFragger.com), and it's clear the focus will primarily be on stunning sports cars racing for supremacy. When it comes to the actors getting behind the wheel, this sneak peek includes a few brief words from stars Archie Madekwe, Orlando Bloom, and David Harbour.
Interestingly, the movie looks set to mix real-life racing with gaming, though that does make sense based on what little we know about this big screen adaptation of the best-selling series.
"Based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough," reads the synopsis, "the film is the ultimate wish fulfillment tale of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional racecar driver."
Neill Blomkamp (District 9) directs Gran Turismo from a screenplay by Jason Hall and Zach Baylin. Joining Madekwe, Harbour, and Bloom in the movie are Darren Barnet, Djimon Hounsou, and Geri Halliwell Horner.
The latter will be best known to many of you as Spice Girls' Ginger Spice, though she's actually married to Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner. She knows her way around a Formula 1 track, so we're definitely intrigued to see what role the singer and actress will play in this story.
Gran Turismo is one of many video game adaptations in various stages of development from Sony, with The Last of Us, God of War, Horizon, Ghost of Tsushima, Days Gone, and Twisted Metal among those on the way.
Gran Turismo is set to be released in theaters on August 11.