Michael Bay, Sydney Sweeney Team for 'OutRun' Film

Sega's beloved arcade racing game, OutRun, is unexpectedly getting a film adaptation, with Michael Bay and Sydney Sweeney confirmed to be involved.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal Pictures has tapped Transformers director Michael Bay to direct and produce the OutRun movie, with Sweeney also joining as a producer. The screenplay will be written by Jayson Rothwell, though specific plot details and a release date have yet to be announced.

On the Sega side, Toru Nakahara, known for his work on the Sonic film series, is serving as a producer, while Sega America and Europe CEO Shuji Utsumi will oversee the project.

OutRun first debuted in 1986 as a visually stunning arcade driving game created by Sega's legendary developer Yu Suzuki. Over the years, it has seen numerous versions and ports, including a proper sequel in 2003, but has remained relatively quiet recently. The most recent release was 2009's OutRun Online Arcade from Sumo Digital.

Sega has recently been revisiting its classic catalog for new projects, with fresh installments of Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Virtua Fighter, and Shinobi all in development.

The company has also focused on adapting its valuable intellectual properties. The Sonic films have seen massive success, and last year Amazon released an adaptation of Like a Dragon: Yakuza. Hollywood continues to show strong interest in video game adaptations, with The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the recently released Minecraft movie setting box office records.

As for the tone of the OutRun film, it's possible Bay and Sweeney are envisioning a Fast & Furious-style mix of driving action and thrills.