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 franchise, to both direct and produce the film. Sweeney, who is also producing, adds her star power to the venture. The screenplay will be penned by Jayson Rothwell, though plot details remain under wraps, and no release date has been announced yet.
On the Sega side, Toru Nakahara, who played a key role in the Sonic movies, will serve as a producer. Additionally, Sega America and Europe CEO Shuji Utsumi will oversee the film, ensuring the project stays true to the game's legacy.
OutRun, which first captivated audiences in 1986, was a groundbreaking arcade driving game designed by Sega's legendary developer Yu Suzuki. Over the years, it has seen numerous versions and ports, with a notable sequel released in 2003. Although the game has been relatively quiet in recent times, the most recent release was OutRun Online Arcade by Sumo Digital in 2009.
Sega has been actively tapping into its rich back catalogue for new projects, with upcoming titles including Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Virtua Fighter, and Shinobi. The company has also embraced adaptations of its intellectual properties, with the Sonic movies achieving significant success and the recent Like a Dragon: Yakuza series launched on Amazon last year. The appetite for video game films in Hollywood remains strong, evidenced by the record-breaking successes of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the recently released A Minecraft Movie.
As for the OutRun film, fans and industry watchers alike are speculating whether Michael Bay and Sydney Sweeney envision a high-octane, Fast & Furious-style driving and action movie. With such a dynamic team behind it, the OutRun movie promises to be an exhilarating addition to the growing list of video game adaptations.
