Never Have I Everstar Darren Barnet has been announced as the latest cast member working on the upcoming film adaptation of the best-selling racing video gameGran Turismo. The casting is the latest in a series of high-profile additions to the Sony project.
RELATED:David Harbour To Star In Gran Turismo Movie From Neill Blomkamp
According to a report fromThe Hollywood Reporter, which has provided coverage of the star-studded lineup as it develops, Barnet will play the role of the GT academy’s top racer before the protagonist’s arrival. Upset by the sudden rise of this upstart, Barnett’s character will be at odds with Archie Madekwe, who has been cast in the lead role. The two young stars will be working alongside industry veterans and top stars likeDavid Harbour and Orlando Bloom, whose casting was recently announced in the role of a hungry marketing exec.
Production is set to begin in Hungary this week, with the script prepared by Zach Baylin, who worked on the award-winningKing Richard,andAmerican Sniperwriter Jason Hall, who is also set to executive produce. Joining him as a fellow executive producer is a gaming industry icon and original creator of theGran Turismofranchise Kazunori Yamauchi, with Dana Brunetti and Doug Belgrad set to produce. Also involved with the project are PlayStation Productions' own Carter Swan and Asad Qizilbash, who will work with the producers. Neill Blomkamp is at the helm, having been attached asdirector in place ofTron: Legacy’s Joseph Kosinski, who was initially in talks to direct in 2015.
Given the success of PlayStation and Sony’s video game film adaptation withUncharted, the addition of several new projects likeGran Turismodid not come as much surprise. Barnet, much like Madekwe, has proven himself in recent projects, such as his portrayal of the emotionally complex Paxton Hall-Yoshida. Fans who might have been skeptical about the young talent at the helm can now rest easy with the addition of Bloom and Harbour, who recently showed that he has enough talent and range tomake Santa Claus look intimidating.
Gran Turismois scheduled to premiere in theaters on July 08, 2025.
