Michael Bay, Sydney Sweeney Jump-Start ‘OutRun’ Movie Based on Racing Video Game

Michael Bay and Sydney Sweeney are revving up a movie adaptation of the Sega video game franchise OutRun.

Universal Pictures is behind the project that has Bay set to direct and produce, with Sweeney also onboard to produce. Jayson Rothwell is set to pen the screenplay. Plot details have not yet been shared.

Bay and Brad Fuller are producing the feature through Platinum Dunes’ first-look deal with the studio. Toru Nakahara produces for Sega, with Sega Corporation president Shuji Utsumi overseeing the film on behalf of the gaming giant.

The original OutRun game debuted in 1986, with players tasked with avoiding traffic and reaching their destination before the clock runs out. It has remained a signature game franchise for Sega following the release of numerous subsequent installments.

Universal’s executive vp of production development Matt Reilly and senior vp of production development Ryan Jones oversee the project for the studio.

Hollywood has seen the value in video game adaptations following the successes of Universal’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog franchise and this month’s A Minecraft Movie from Warner Bros. and Legendary. Universal is set to release Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 later this year in the follow-up to the Josh Hutcherson-led horror film adaptation of the gaming series.

Sweeney can next be seen opposite Julianne Moore in Echo Valley, which debuts on Apple TV+ in June.

Bay is represented by Rich Cook at Range Media Partners. Sweeney is repped by Paradigm, imPRint and Stewart Brookman at Hansen Jacobson. Rothwell is repped by Cliff Roberts at Syndicate Entertainment and Austin Williams at Sloane Offer.