Sega’s iconic arcade racing game, OutRun, is set to hit the big screen in a surprising movie adaptation, with blockbuster 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 direct and produce the upcoming film. Sweeney, a rising star in Hollywood, will also serve as a producer. The screenplay is being penned by Jayson Rothwell, though plot details remain under wraps, and no release date has been announced.
On the Sega front, Toru Nakahara, a key figure in the successful Sonic movies, is on board as a producer. Additionally, Sega America and Europe CEO Shuji Utsumi will oversee the film, ensuring a faithful representation of the beloved franchise.
Originally launched in 1986, OutRun was developed by the legendary Sega designer Yu Suzuki and quickly became renowned for its stunning graphics and engaging gameplay. Over the years, the game has seen numerous versions and ports, with a notable sequel released in 2003. While the series has been relatively quiet in recent times, the last significant release was OutRun Online Arcade by Sumo Digital in 2009.
Sega has been actively revisiting its classic titles, with new games in the works for Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Virtua Fighter, and Shinobi. Moreover, the company has successfully ventured into film and television adaptations of its intellectual properties. The Sonic movies have been a massive hit, and the recent Amazon series Like a Dragon: Yakuza has further showcased Sega's commitment to expanding its IPs into different media. The success of other video game adaptations like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the upcoming A Minecraft Movie highlights Hollywood's growing interest in this genre.
As for the potential direction of the OutRun movie, fans speculate that Michael Bay and Sydney Sweeney might be envisioning a thrilling, action-packed film in the vein of the Fast & Furious series, given Bay's penchant for high-octane action and Sweeney's rising profile in action-oriented roles.
