‘Gran Turismo’: Sony Developing A New Movie With Neill Blomkamp To Direct

It took a long time to get onscreen thanks to COVID-19, but Sony‘s “Uncharted” raked in more than $400 million at the global box office after its February release. Not bad for a poorly reviewed, kind of insipid videogame adaptation. But that film’s success has Sony looking ahead to more games to adapt for the big screen, and now they have a new movie to announce.

READ MORE: ‘Uncharted’ Review: Tom Holland’s Charms Can’t Keep This Adventure On Course

Deadline reports that Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions‘s next project is a movie version of the hit driving simulator “Gran Turismo.” Since its release in 1997, the game built a devoted fanbase, and the most recent edition, “Gran Turismo 7,” just hit shelves in March.

The project is still early in development, with no plot or casting choices yet, but Sony has a director in mind for the project: Neill Blomkamp. Blomkamp’s last film, the 2021 horror film “Demonic,” was already a departure for him after the sci-fi action of “District 9,” “Elysium,” and “Chappie,” so his involvement raises some eyebrows.

It’s also a little strange that Sony wants to make “Gran Turismo” when Hollywood already has a mega racing franchise with the “Fast & Furious” movies. “Gran Turismo” is a game that emphasizes realism, though, so the film may be a much different take on sports car culture (AKA: no trips to space).

“Gran Turismo” is the latest in several game adaptation projects between Sony and PlayStation Productions.  HBO‘s “The Last Of Us” series with Pedro Pascal, Diego Luna, and Bella Ramsay likely premieres early next year.  Peacock has a “Twisted Metal” show on the way starring Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, Neve Campbell, and Thomas Haden Church. And after “Ghost Of Tsushima” sold over 8 million copies after its July 2020 release, Sony tapped “Only” director Takashi Doscher to pen a film based on the action-adventure game.

So, Sony Pictures has a lot on the way with its videogame adaptations. Expect their “Gran Turismo” movie out in 2024 at the earliest.