12 August 2023 , 05:38
467
0
Film fans turning up to cinemas to watch computer game biopic movie Gran Turismo have been left confused and distracted upon realising Spice Girls legend Geri Horner stars in the movie.
The 51-year-old chart-topping star has a brief, but significant, role in the film - which tells the true story of computer game enthusiast Jann Mardenborough who went from playing racing games on his console to becoming a top professional race car driver. Geri pops up in the star-studded film playing Jann’s mother - with the artist formerly known as Ginger Spice playing Lesley Mardenborough opposite Archie Madekwe as Jann and Djimon Hounsou as her on-screen husband Steve.
Geri - whose acting skills were mauled in the noughties when she gave a flat performance as a character named Phoebe Herrison in an episode of Sex & The City - has been described as a distraction in the film by some fans.
While her actual screen time is reduced to a mere matter of seconds as she features in front of the camera for less than three minutes. The singer - who is married to 49-year-old Christian Horner who is Team Principal of the Red Bull Formula One team - hasn’t won the most glowing reviews from fans as yet, however.
Geri Horner has a starring role in a new Hollywood film (Getty Images)
The former Spice Girl stars alongside Orlando Bloom in Gran Turismo (Getty Images)Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, fans have expressed their surprise at seeing Geri on screen. One laughed at her acting skills, writing: “it's quite funny in places – certainly when Geri Halliwell has to deliver a line.” And another asked: “Gran Turismo - Is actually a pretty good film despite the terrible marketing and it’s faults. One question though, why the hell did they cast Geri Halliwell?”
Patsy Palmer stuns in Spice Girl tribute to star who almost took EastEnders role
Many were shocked to discover the singer had a part in the film, with one tweeting: “Just watched Gran Turismo, I didn't know Geri Halliwell was in it!” And another concurring: “why did no one tell me Ginger Spice (geri halliwell-horner) is in gran turismo??”
Geri plays Jann Mardenborough's mother in the sport biopic (Sony Pictures)While another fan suggested Geri’s own astronomical fame serves as a detriment to her acting, as they commented: “Casting Geri Halliwell in a film is such a bold choice because I just spent each of her scenes in #GranTurismo thinking, 'That's Geri Halliwell.' She was never her character to me, not even once.”
Geri has been flagging the fact that she has a part in the film herself. Taking to X earlier this summer, she wrote: "Excited to share a sneak peek of @GranTurismo - based on the inspiring true story of an impossible dream. In movie theaters this summer!”
Gran Turismo, which also stars Stranger Things actor David Harbour and Lord of the Rings star Orlando Bloom, is out now.