NEW YORK — Sony Pictures announced today that it has cast the lead in its upcoming Gran Turismo film, with actor David Harbour set to portray the car seen on the cover of Gran Tursimo 3 A-Spec, a 2003 Acura CL Type S.
“I read the script and absolutely loved it,” said the star of Stranger Things, about the upcoming video game adaptation of the beloved racing series. “I thought the stuff with the coach and his young protege was really well done, and the race car scenes just flew off the page. I called [director] Neill [Blompkamp] and told him I was in. Which I regret, because I now know that he actually has cast me as some stupid Acura that the main characters drive around in. I wish I would’ve read the contract first. I hate that motion capture shit.”
The puzzling casting decision was defended by the filmmaker.
“Hey, if Brendan Fraser can play a 600-pound man, why can’t Dave play a damn Acura?” asked Blompkamp, director of such films as District 9 and Elysium. “There were some early rumors that we were looking at him for the part of the instructor, but I always pictured someone a little older, a little quieter in that role.”
“Harbour’s way more of an Acura guy,” he added.
Fans of the game had mixed reactions to the casting news.
“It seems pretty strange to me,” said Jason Breckenridge, a longtime fan of the series. “And yet, the more I think about it, I am at a loss as to any modern actors that I think could nail the part of a 2003 Acura CL Type S any better. Maybe a Dafoe or a Buscemi, but I mean, Harbour will probably do as good as any of them. I remember reading that he played Greased Lightning back in his high school production of Grease, so I bet he’ll do a great job.”
The Gran Turismo film is expected to start production very shortly, as soon as the cast and crew obtain all of the necessary licenses.
