It’s still kind of a head-scratcher that director Neill Blomkamp’s Gran Turismo adaptation is less of a traditional “video game movie,” and more of a biopic. Telling the true story of gamer-turned-racer Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), it’s more of an inspirational tale than a hard-driving fantasy. Though having said that, one of the writers for this entry on the 2023 movie release schedule actually explained how this very real story still drew inspiration from some of the most iconic films of all time. And the two beloved cinematic stalwarts in question are none other than Rocky and Top Gun.
Co-writer Zach Baylin spoke with Empire as part of the early press rounds for this latest Playstation game adaptation. While discussing his approach to the racing movie, Baylin revealed that he was able to mind some very relatable elements from the aforementioned ‘80s action and sports flicks. When speaking on the matter, the screenwriter specifically said the following:
We talked about how this story could have elements of Rocky, in being about a character on the outside of an industry, who has a real desire to not just get into a particular sport, but to prove something to himself and his family. We [spoke] a lot about the original Top Gun and that idea of a character surrounded by the best of the best, coming in to learn what it means to sit in these extremely fast vehicles. What it means to have to be part of a team. What it means to have to overcome your own insecurities and ego in order to pilot something that can kill you and kill other people.
If this pitch isn’t the perfect combination to describe Sony’s new film, I don’t know what is. As if what we know about Gran Turismo wasn’t enough to get me hyped, the fact that it’s been influenced by Rocky Balboa and Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is even more of a bonus. Sports underdog stories are already a draw for me as a moviegoer, and the promise a story that works in those levels of heart and danger firmly puts this movie right in my zone of interest.
It should also be mentioned that Zach Baylin’s — who was a 2022 Academy Award nominee — was certainly a fantastic fit for this sort of pitch, too. He earned that awards nod for famously tackling King Richard’s inspiring story, which depicted the Williams sisters’ rise through the tennis world. And that tale definitely mirrors what this video game adaptation is trying to go for. If Baylin puts those skills to work again with co-writer Jason Hall, their account of Jann Mardenborough’s high-velocity Cinderella story will only be better for it. Such efforts could also go a long way should the studio consider an awards-season push.
For the moment, Sony’s certainly hoping that this Top Gun and Rocky-infused formula will draw crowds to this film, which is co-headlined by David Harbour and Orlando Bloom. While Gran Turismo’s wide theatrical release has been shifted to August 25th, the studio is now running two preview weekends before that engagement. So you may not have to wait as long as you’d think to see this potential box office underdog story for yourself.