It’s clear with Transformers 4 filming and Fast & Furious 6 in pre-production that, barring Armageddon, both will release their due sequels. And adding to the tidal wave of automotive-themed movies coming out over the next year, you can expect to see another video game series get its spot in the marquee.

The forthcoming Mustang-centered thriller Getaway and Formula One drama Rush indicate that audiences appreciate the thrills and chills cars can offer. So it comes as no surprise that with the greenlight for a Need for Speed (a racing game published by Electronic Arts) movie, one of its rivals, Gran Turismo, is now in the running as well.

Tweeted on the 23rd by one of its producers, Dana Brunetti, the film will be a Universal venture. Nothing else of note is available to the public.

Yet what’s interesting about this film is that the Gran Turismo franchise has never utilized a story like its rival Need for Speed, which has done so in some its iterations like Underground in the form of campaigns. Rather, the games have always focused on delivering the most genuine racing experience possible and, as of the fourth installment, very long development times between releases.

Photos: DeviantArt.com

This comes from focusing less on flash and crowd appeal, and more on closely replicating a car’s traits and the feelings one gets from driving the real thing, whether it be a McLaren F1 or a Mazda Miata. There are no weapons or pickups, there are no “nitrous boost” rewards for endangering yourself or other drivers to get ahead; it is a game for purists, by purists. The series is debuting its sixth chapter later this year to a great deal of anticipation.

So it is with a little taste of salt that we accept the idea of Hollywood, the longtime enemy of source material, turning such a high-brow franchise into a movie. It’s a good sign that Brunetti has fought to get this movie approved, as evidenced by his tweet; hopefully he’ll have enough pull to keep the studio from turning it into the next Resident Evil-like experience.

Do you think this film will do justice to the Gran Turismo name? Or will it get chalked up as another piece of Tinseltown trash? Feel free to comment below.