Sega's iconic arcade racing game, OutRun, is set to hit the big screen in a surprising movie adaptation. The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that Universal Pictures has enlisted the renowned director and producer Michael Bay, known for the Transformers franchise, to helm the project. Actress Sydney Sweeney is also on board as a producer. The screenplay will be penned by Jayson Rothwell, though details about the plot remain under wraps, and no release date has been announced yet.
On the Sega front, Toru Nakahara, a producer who worked on the successful Sonic movies, will be involved in the OutRun film. Additionally, Sega America and Europe CEO Shuji Utsumi will oversee the project, ensuring the adaptation stays true to the game's legacy.
Originally launched in 1986, OutRun was a groundbreaking arcade driving game designed by the legendary Sega developer Yu Suzuki. Over the years, it has seen various versions and ports, with a notable sequel released in 2003. The most recent iteration was OutRun Online Arcade by Sumo Digital in 2009. While the franchise has been relatively quiet in recent times, 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.
Sega has also been successful in adapting its intellectual properties into other media. The Sonic movies have been a massive hit, and last year saw the release of Like a Dragon: Yakuza on Amazon. The demand for video game adaptations in Hollywood is evident, with films like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the upcoming A Minecraft Movie setting new benchmarks at the box office.
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 series, given Bay's signature style and the game's racing theme.