The Story Behind Kazunori Yamauchi in Gran Turismo: From Game Creator to Movie Character

The True Story of Gamer-Turned-Racer Jann Mardenborough

Gran Turismo revolves around the true story of gamer-turned-racer Jann Mardenborough, but the film also features video game creator Kazunori Yamauchi as a character.

Takehiro Hira as Kazunori Yamauchi in Gran Turismo (2023).

Yamauchi, a professional racecar driver and the designer of the film's titular racing simulator, is shown developing the game in the opening scene of the film. His appearance provides context for the rest of the film, explaining how Yamauchi created the game so that anyone could experience a realistic racing simulator.

The drivers at the GT Academy in Gran Turismo

The Pressure to Depict Gran Turismo Sim Driving Accurately

Since Gran Turismo is based on a true story, realistic portrayal was a major concern. Given the racing game's massive, dedicated fanbase, filmmakers faced intense pressure to depict Gran Turismo sim driving accurately.

The real Jann Mardenborough, who also served as a co-producer, even appeared onscreen as the stunt double for his own character. Though Yamauchi appears only briefly as a character in the film, it was vital to find the perfect actor to portray him.

Takehiro Hira's Portrayal of Kazunori Yamauchi

Kazunori Yamauchi is portrayed by Japanese actor Takehiro Hira, who has been appearing on stage and screen since 2001.

His portrayal of shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu in the 2008 historical drama series Atsuhime brought him to widespread attention. Hira is well-known for playing the lead role of detective Kenzo Mori in the British crime drama Giri/Haji; he was also cast as Kenta in Snake Eyes (2021).

Gran Turismo, interestingly, is not Hira's first appearance in a film based on a video game; in 2012, he appeared in Ace Attorney, a Japanese comedy-drama based on the Capcom video game Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. Hira was cast as Gregory Edgeworth, a major figure in the film's central court case.