Sega’s beloved 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 tapped 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 buzz among fans and industry insiders alike.
On the Sega side, the film will be produced by Toru Nakahara, who previously worked on the successful Sonic movies. Sega America and Europe CEO Shuji Utsumi will oversee the project, ensuring the film stays true to the spirit of the original game. OutRun, which first debuted in 1986 as a visually stunning arcade driving game designed by Sega legend Yu Suzuki, has seen various iterations and ports over the years. Despite a sequel in 2003 and the most recent release, OutRun Online Arcade by Sumo Digital in 2009, the franchise has been relatively quiet in recent times.
Sega has been actively revisiting its extensive back catalogue for new projects, with upcoming games in the Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Virtua Fighter, and Shinobi series. Additionally, Sega has been successful in adapting its intellectual properties for the screen. The Sonic movies have been a massive hit, and the Like a Dragon: Yakuza series found a new audience with its Amazon adaptation last year. With the success of recent video game adaptations like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the upcoming A Minecraft Movie, Hollywood's appetite for video game films is stronger than ever.
As for the potential direction of the OutRun movie, fans speculate that Michael Bay and Sydney Sweeney might be envisioning a high-octane driving and action film, reminiscent of the Fast & Furious franchise. This exciting project promises to bring the thrill of OutRun's iconic gameplay to life on the silver screen, captivating both longtime fans and new audiences alike.
