Netflix gives countdown to fans before removing 98% Orlando Bloom movie based on true story
Topics: Netflix, Hulu, Streaming, Entertainment, Film and TV, Orlando Bloom
Ellie Kemp
Featured Image Credit: Sony Pictures
Topics: Netflix, Hulu, Streaming, Entertainment, Film and TV, Orlando Bloom
Netflix subscribers don't have long left to stream an Orlando Bloom movie based on a wild true story.
The platform is constantly updating its catalogue and just when you settle in to rewatch something, it's yanked away.
But to be fair, Netflix doesn't just take; it gives us dozens of new titles each month too, which we either devour... or completely ignore.
Anyway, a popular movie based on a stunning true-life story is set to be pulled from the platform in a matter of days.
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It re-tells the rise of Jann Mardenborough, a talented sim racer whose virtual driving skills catapulted him into a real-life career on the track.
As a kid, Mardenborough - played by See's Archie Madekwe - dreamed of becoming a racing driver, but it was simply too expensive to pursue.
Instead, he discovers a gift for racing simulators, eventually competing in a groundbreaking tournament that transforms gamers into professional drivers.
He beats 90,000 other players to secure a spot on the team, kickstarting a career he once never dared to dream was possible.
The movie is called Gran Turismo - after the video game of the same name.
Madekwe stars alongside Carnival Row's Orlando Bloom, Stranger Things' David Harbour, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner and A Quiet Place's Djimon Hounsou.
Sadly, it's being pulled from Netflix on Wednesday June 11, mostly likely due to its license expiring. See which other titles are leaving the streamer this month.
First released to theaters in August 2023, the film joined Netflix four months later. From June 11, it will be finding a new home over on Hulu.
Mardenborough himself served as consultant, co-producer and stunt driver on the movie, even giving permission for filmmakers to include his shocking 2015 crash at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which killed one spectator and injured others.
While Mardenborough described the crash as the ‘darkest moment’ of his professional and personal life, he felt it 'would have been a disservice for the audience for that not to be in there.'
Critics took issue with the way the crash was portrayed in Gran Turismo, though.
The chronological order of the crash was moved around, and rather than showing it take place as it did in 2015, it was made to predate a successful 24 hours at Le Mans race in 2013 instead.
This move was slammed as a ‘tasteless reframing’ by Polygon’s critic Oli Welsh, while ScreenRant dubbed the decision ‘disingenuous and emotionally manipulative.'
Despite the controversy, Gran Turismo proved popular with viewers on Rotten Tomatoes, who scored it a stunning 98 percent.
Critics were less favorable, awarding it 65 percent instead.
Nowadays, Mardenborough is a Ford Factory driver, currently competing in the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup for HRT Ford Performance.
He previously raced for several high-profile teams, including Nissan, Red Bull Racing and Carlin in GP3.
He’s also competed in Super GT and Super Formula in Japan, driving for teams like Team Impul and Kondo Racing.
Gran Turismo is streaming on Netflix until June 11, before moving over to Hulu.