Gran Turismo Star Recalls Filming in his “Iron Maiden Torture” Car Just After Passing His Driving Test

When it comes to video game adaptions, Gran Turismo was probably not one that many people would have thought could be a potential summer blockbuster. The Neill Blomkamp-directed movie is looking to change that this August, with a cast led by Orlando Bloom and David Harbour, as well as Midsommar star Archie Madekwe in the driving seat. However, as the racing supremo at the cente of the movie, Madekwe did not necessarily enjoy the filming of the movie, as he discovered that the life of a race car driver was not for him.

Gran Turismo’s big screen story is based on real-life events that surrounded gamer-turned-racing driver Jann Mardenborough, who was one of 90,000 Gran Turismo game players to take part in the spin off TV series GT Academy, became the youngest winner of the long-running show and turned himself from a racing game lover into an actual race car driver. However, to claim the role, Madekwe had to speed through his driving test, and went on to discover that his experience behind the wheel is one that has left a lasting impression. He told /Film:

“You quickly realize whether you’re built correctly for being a race car driver or not, and I’m not. [I called the car the] Iron Maiden because it really was like a torture device. [Between takes I had to] open the door of the car and just throw up everywhere. I had to pass my test in two and a half weeks to secure my part in the film.”

Admitting that he hasn’t driven since filming the movie, the actor added that he was “scarred” by the experience, proving the lengths Gran Turismo went to in order to keep its realism.

Related: Gran Turismo Trailer Teases Neill Blomkamp’s Video Game Adaptation

Gran Turismo Could Be a Surprise Late Summer Hit.

While it has been hard to predict which big box office releases will actually do well in the last few years, Gran Turismo could be a surprise hit after a summer of middling results from some of the movies that should have been crushing it in theaters. Video game movies have certainly been popular, and while Gran Turismo is not quite the same kind of adaptation as say The Super Mario Bros. Movie, its premise is one that could attract a reasonable crowd.

However, coming in August there are no guarantees that the film will be able to pick up a late run for box office glory coming in the wake of July’s triple hit of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Barbie and Oppenheimer. One thing that is certain is that the change of pace for Blomkamp is one that looks to be a potential winner. The director has certainly come in for praise from the movie’s star David Harbour, who previously discussed working with Blomkamp. He said:

“Neill is so cool and such a good director that it’s really been a joy to work on this movie, and this movie’s going to be… Talk about not what you expect, with him at the helm there’s a visceralness to this movie, to this video game world that is so cool. I can’t wait for you to see this movie.”

Gran Turismo arrives in theaters on August 11, 2023.