As the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike continue, Sony has made a number of changes to its release schedule. This includes Gran Turismo, which will have to wait a little longer to cross the finish line.
The new Gran Turismo movie release date has been set for August 25, 2023. This means the release has been pushed back two weeks from its original date of August 11. Now, the film will have sneak previews of the movie on August 11-13 and August 18-20, before opening in theaters nationwide on its new release date.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, this delay is an experiment of sorts by Sony. The move is a calculated attempt to see if word of mouth can help spread positive praise about the movie. This is due to a marketing freeze due to the strikes, which limits the ways Sony can promote the film.
“The stars can’t promote the film but the audience can,” says a Sony spokesperson on the move.
What do we know about Gran Turismo?
“Based on the unbelievable true story of a team of unlikely underdogs, the film follows a struggling working-class gamer, a failed former racecar driver, and an idealistic motorsport executive,” reads the synopsis. “Together, they risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world. Gran Turismo is an inspiring, thrilling, and action-packed story that proves that nothing is impossible when you’re fueled from within.”
Gran Turismo is directed by Neill Blomkamp from a screenplay written by Jason Hall and Zach Baylin. Joining Madekwe are David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Darren Barnet, Djimon Hounsou, Geri Halliwell-Horner, Daniel Puig, Josha Stradowski, Sang Heon Lee, and German actor Thomas Kretschmann.
The film is produced by Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, Doug Belgrad, and Dana Brunetti, with game creator Kazunori Yamauchi, Hall and Baylin executive producing. Originally released in 1997, the Gran Turismo franchise has gone on to become one of the most popular racing video game properties ever, known for its meticulous level of detail and realism.
