Get ready for a thrilling ride as Sega's iconic arcade racing game, OutRun, is set to hit the big screen, with none other than Michael Bay at the helm. The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Universal Pictures has enlisted the Transformers director to direct and produce the upcoming OutRun movie, with Sydney Sweeney also joining as a producer. The screenplay will be crafted by Jayson Rothwell, though plot details remain under wraps, and a release date is yet to be announced.
On the Sega front, Toru Nakahara, known for his work on the Sonic movies, will serve as a producer, while Sega America and Europe CEO Shuji Utsumi will oversee the project. OutRun, which first raced into arcades in 1986, was a groundbreaking title designed by the legendary Yu Suzuki. Over the years, it has seen numerous versions and ports, with the last major release being OutRun Online Arcade by Sumo Digital in 2009.
Sega has been actively tapping into its rich catalog of games for new projects, with upcoming titles like Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Virtua Fighter, and Shinobi in development. The company has also been successful with adaptations of its intellectual properties, notably the Sonic movies, which have enjoyed significant popularity, and the recent Like a Dragon: Yakuza series on Amazon. The video game movie genre is currently on a roll, with blockbusters like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the upcoming A Minecraft Movie setting new benchmarks.
As for the OutRun film, fans might be anticipating a high-octane, action-packed adventure reminiscent of the Fast & Furious franchise, given Michael Bay's directorial style and the game's driving-centric theme. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project!
