Michael Bay, the high-octane director behind the Transformers saga and Ambulance, is taking the wheel for Universal Pictures’ adaptation of SEGA’s legendary arcade racer, OutRun.
Jayson Rothwell (Polar, Arachnid) is penning the screenplay while Brad Fuller produces. Sydney Sweeney (Anyone But You, Immaculate) will also serve as a producer.
Representing SEGA, Toru Nakahara (Sonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles, Golden Axe) joins the production team with Shuji Utsumi, President and Chief Operating Officer of SEGA, who will oversee the project.
OutRun movie adaptation expands SEGA’s growing movie franchise
In recent years, SEGA has seen a resurgence in adapting its classic video game properties for the big screen. The most notable success story is the Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise.
The first movie, Sonic the Hedgehog, was released in 2020 and became a box office hit, paving the way for a sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which premiered in 2022 and also achieved significant commercial success.
A third installment, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, was released in December 2024, continuing the adventures of the speedy blue hedgehog and his friends.
The Sonic cinematic universe expanded with a Paramount+ miniseries, Knuckles, released in 2024, featuring the popular echidna character. Looking ahead, a fourth Sonic the Hedgehog film is in production and slated for a 2027 release.
Beyond the Sonic universe, SEGA has also ventured into adapting other classic titles such as dance game Space Channel 5 and the influential side-scrolling beat ’em up Comix Zone.
Additionally, a live-action movie adaptation of the classic ninja action-platformer Shinobi, with Sam Hargrave, the director of the Extraction films, attached to direct, is also in the works at Universal Pictures.
These projects signal SEGA’s ongoing efforts to bring its rich library of video game franchises to a wider audience through cinematic adaptations.
What is OutRun?
The OutRun series, born from the vibrant arcade scene of the 1980s, is a racing game that ignited a new genre. Instead of solely focusing on competition, OutRun invited players to revel in the thrill of high-speed cruising through picturesque landscapes.
This innovative approach even sparked its own genre of electronic music, fittingly named “OutRun.” This unique formula propelled the original arcade game to global success.
Since its debut, the franchise has expanded with numerous installments for home consoles, solidifying its status as one of SEGA’s most iconic and enduring series.
Who is Michael Bay?
Michael Bay is a prominent American film director and producer known for his signature high-octane action films characterized by explosive special effects, rapid editing, and a distinct visual style.
He rose to prominence directing music videos and commercials before making his feature film debut with the Will Smith-Martin Lawrence action-comedy Bad Boys in 1995. This success was followed by a string of blockbuster hits, including The Rock, Armageddon, and Pearl Harbor, solidifying his reputation as a director capable of delivering large-scale, visually spectacular entertainment.
His involvement in the Transformers franchise, which has spanned multiple films, is perhaps his most commercially successful endeavor.
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