Michael Bay, Sydney Sweeney Team for 'OutRun' Film

In a surprising move, Sega's classic arcade racer OutRun is getting a film adaptation, with Michael Bay and Sydney Sweeney on board.

The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Universal Pictures has secured Transformers director Michael Bay to both direct and produce the OutRun film, with Sydney Sweeney also joining as a producer. Jayson Rothwell is penning the screenplay, though specific plot details and a release date remain under wraps.

Representing Sega, Toru Nakahara, a veteran of the Sonic movie productions, is attached as a producer, while Sega America and Europe CEO Shuji Utsumi will oversee the project.

OutRun first hit arcades in 1986, praised for its cutting-edge graphics and designed by Sega legend Yu Suzuki. The game received numerous ports and versions over the years, including a full sequel in 2003, but has been relatively quiet recently. The last major release was Sumo Digital's OutRun Online Arcade in 2009.

Nevertheless, Sega is actively revisiting its classic franchises for new projects, with fresh Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Virtua Fighter, and Shinobi games currently in development.

Sega has also been proactive in adapting its valuable IP. The Sonic film series has been a massive success, and an adaptation of Like a Dragon: Yakuza launched on Amazon last year. Hollywood continues its push for video game movies, with The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the recently released Minecraft film setting box office records.

As for the tone of the OutRun movie, it's possible Bay and Sweeney envision a high-octane driving and action film in the style of the Fast & Furious franchise.