Before Gran Turismo, the incredible true story of Jann Mardenborough and his GT Academy origins

The live action adaptation of the iconic racing videogame series draws its inspiration from the true story of Jann Mardenborough - a British teenager whose passion for racing simulation video games led him to a remarkable career as a professional race car driver. 

Directed by Neill Blomkamp and written by Jason Hall and Zach Baylin, the film is a biographical sports drama that delves into Mardenborough's journey from a virtual racer to a real-world racing champion.

At the heart of the narrative is Jann Mardenborough's victory in the GT Academy competition in 2011. Facing competition from a staggering 90,000 participants, Mardenborough emerged as the victor, showcasing his exceptional virtual racing skills honed through the Gran Turismo video game series. 

The groundbreaking initiative of the GT Academy was the brainchild of Nissan and Sony Interactive Entertainment, and served as the playground where Gran Turismo gamers like Mardenborough battled it out for a shot at a real racing career. Who knew that video game controllers could be stepping stones to steering wheels?

The film captures the essence of GT Academy, which was not only a platform for identifying exceptional gamers but also an experiment in blurring the lines between gaming and motorsports. It provided a select group of talented Gran Turismo players with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to prove their mettle on actual racetracks. Jann Mardenborough's success story became a beacon of hope for gamers worldwide, underscoring the potential for video game expertise to translate into real-world accomplishments.

Having predominantly experienced racing through simulations, Mardenborough's entry into the Dubai 24 Hour race for Nissan marked his baptism by fire. With little prior experience in traditional motorsports, his journey was a true testament to the power of passion, determination, and adapting skills acquired in virtual racing to the real track.

Archie Madekwe portrays Jann Mardenborough in the film, with Mardenborough himself serving as a co-producer, stunt driver, and consultant, lending an unparalleled authenticity to the project. 

The movie doesn't gloss over his challenges either; it's like a pit stop that delves into his 2015 Nürburgring Nordschleife horror crash, which, sadly, claimed a life. But Mardenborough's take? It's a must-include because life's a track with its fair share of bumps.

Real crash involving gamer turned driver Jann Mardenborough kills spectator at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.#GT_Academy #GTAcademy #GT #GT7 #Nurburgring #Gran_Turismo #GranTurismo #GranTurismoMovie #crash #Nissan #GT3 #Nismo #NissanGTR #GTR #GranTurismoFilm#Nordschleife #gamer pic.twitter.com/RPJbM0EFvJ

— Clau Kpax (@ClauKpax) August 16, 2023

Back in May 2022, the world got wind of Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions' plan to give Polyphony Digital's iconic Gran Turismo game series the Hollywood treatment. Neill Blomkamp hopped into the driver's seat as the director, setting the pace for excitement and David Harbour then slipped on his racing gloves to play a veteran driver who mentors Madekwe's character – the teenage whiz-kid taking his virtual prowess to reality.

In a nutshell, Gran Turismo isn't just your everyday videogame adaptation; it's a tire-squealing, heart-pounding ode to Jann Mardenborough's remarkable story and a must-watch for anyone who's ever chased a dream, gripped a controller, or felt the need for speed.

Gran Turismo hits theatres tomorrow.