Home News > "OutRun: Michael Bay and Sydney Sweeney's Surprise Movie Adaptation"

"OutRun: Michael Bay and Sydney Sweeney's Surprise Movie Adaptation"

by Sadie May 01,2025

Sega's iconic arcade racing game, OutRun, is set to hit the big screen in an unexpected movie adaptation, with acclaimed director Michael Bay at the helm and actress Sydney Sweeney attached as a producer. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal Pictures has enlisted Bay, known for his work on the Transformers series, to direct and produce this thrilling project. Screenwriter Jayson Rothwell is on board to craft the screenplay, though plot details remain under wraps and no release date has been announced yet.

On the Sega front, Toru Nakahara, a key figure in the successful Sonic movie franchise, will serve as a producer. Additionally, Sega America and Europe CEO Shuji Utsumi will oversee the film, ensuring that the essence of the beloved game is preserved.

Originally launched in 1986, OutRun was a groundbreaking arcade driving game created by the legendary Sega developer Yu Suzuki. Over the years, it has seen various versions and ports, with a notable sequel released in 2003. Although the franchise has been relatively quiet in recent times, the last major release was OutRun Online Arcade by Sumo Digital in 2009.

Sega has been actively revisiting its rich catalog, with new titles in the works such as Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Virtua Fighter, and Shinobi. The company has also been successful with adaptations of its intellectual property, most notably the Sonic movies, which have garnered a massive following. Last year, an adaptation of Like a Dragon: Yakuza was released on Amazon, further showcasing Sega's commitment to bringing its games to new audiences. Hollywood's appetite for video game adaptations continues to grow, evidenced by the success of films like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the recent A Minecraft Movie.

As for the OutRun film, fans might speculate that Michael Bay and Sydney Sweeney envision a high-octane, action-packed driving movie akin to the Fast & Furious series, given Bay's signature style and the game's racing theme.