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Gran Turismo’s real-life subject Jann Mardenborough has reflected on the tragic accident at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 2015 that killed a spectator.
In the new film from Sony, newcomer Archie Madekwe portrays the racing driver at the start of his career when his simulated driving skills were put to the test at the GT Academy.
Having never seriously competed in motorsports before the age of 19, he beat out 90,000 other Gran Turismo players to become the Academy’s youngest winner – but his racing career very nearly came to an end in Germany.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Express US, Mardenborough revealed there were initial discussions about whether to include the crash in the film at all.
“When this was discussed whether to be in the movie or not – it had to be in the movie,” he said.
“Because it’s part of my life. It is my life, I lived through that. It’s a very dark moment in my career and in my life as a person.
“Someone’s life was tragically taken away in an accident.”
Mardenborough’s devastating crash is hinted at in the trailers, but it’s even more visceral and shocking when the moment arrives in the film itself.
Driving a Nissan GT-R Nismo at the time, his car caught air during the notoriously tricky Flugplatz section of the Nürburgring Nordschleife and spun out of control.
Mardenborough sustained no serious injuries but a spectator was tragically killed in the accident.
“It would be doing the people who watch the film a disservice if that was taken out,” Mardenborough said.
“The producers and the writers made sure, and I made sure, that it was meticulously done correctly.
“And the movie does a really good job at representing that. Not only the way it happened but also the aftermath. Because it was like that.”
His crash may come as a shock to fans who were simply expecting a high-octane video game adaptation from Gran Turismo.
However, Mardenborough clearly believes they made the right decision by including the life-changing accident as one of the film’s most climactic moments.
“It shows that progression in one’s life and career isn’t linear,” he explained.
“It’s never a straight line, there’s peaks and troughs. And it’s how you deal with those that determine whether you’re destined for some greatness or not. It’s how you deal with the dark times.
“It’s a professional sport, and there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes. A lot of life to contend with.
“And I’m happy it’s in there, it’s done very well and I hope people can gain positivity from that darkness.”
This interview was conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike came into effect.
Only at cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 9th August, 2023
