Sega's iconic arcade racing game, OutRun, is set to hit the big screen in a surprising movie adaptation, with renowned director Michael Bay and actress Sydney Sweeney attached to the project. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal Pictures has enlisted Bay, known for his work on the Transformers series, to direct and produce the film. Sweeney, who has also signed on as a producer, will be joined by screenwriter Jayson Rothwell. While plot details remain under wraps and no release date has been announced, the project is generating significant buzz.
On the Sega side, Toru Nakahara, a key figure in the Sonic movie franchise, will serve as a producer. Additionally, Sega America and Europe CEO Shuji Utsumi will oversee the film, ensuring that the essence of the beloved game is captured on screen. OutRun, originally launched in 1986, was a groundbreaking arcade driving game designed by the legendary Yu Suzuki. Over the years, it has seen various versions and ports, with the last major release being OutRun Online Arcade by Sumo Digital in 2009.
Sega has been actively revisiting its extensive back catalog, with new titles in development for Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Virtua Fighter, and Shinobi. The company has also been successful in adapting its intellectual properties for other media, with the Sonic movies achieving significant popularity and the recent Like a Dragon: Yakuza series launching on Amazon. The success of other video game adaptations, such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie and A Minecraft Movie, underscores Hollywood's growing interest in this genre.
As for the OutRun movie, fans might speculate that Michael Bay and Sydney Sweeney are envisioning a high-octane, action-packed film reminiscent of the Fast & Furious franchise, given Bay's signature style and the game's racing theme.
