Michael Bay To Direct Movie Adaptation Of Popular '80s Video Game, Sydney Sweeney To Produce

Michael Bay is attached to direct a movie adaptation of a popular 1980s video game, with Sydney Sweeney to produce. One of the most commercially successful directors of all time, Bay is best known for his bombastic, big-budget action movies, including the first two Bad Boys movies, The Rock, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, and the first five Transformers movies. Sweeney, on the other hand, is one of the biggest rising stars in Hollywood who, after earning Emmy nods for HBO’s Euphoria and The White Lotus season 1, has starred in several successful movies, including Anyone But You and Immaculate.

Now, the two are teaming up for a film adaptation of a popular 1980s video game. According to ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Bay is attached to direct Universal’s movie adaptation of Sega’s iconic arcade game OutRun, with Sweeney on board to produce. Jayson Rothwell is writing the screenplay, though plot details are under wraps for now.

What The OutRun Movie Means For Video Game Adaptations

Another One Is In Development

While a major trend for the past few years, video game adaptations are especially having a moment right now, with A Minecraft Movie dominating the box office and The Last of Us season 2 making a powerful return in recent weeks. Universal is also no newcomer to the trend, having been behind the mᴀssive success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Five Nights at Freddy’s, which earned $1.4 billion and $290 million, respectively. Sega’s own Sonic the Hedgehog games have also been adapted into three successful movies, which have grossed over $1 billion collectively.

OutRun is a beloved Sega franchise that rose to fame as one of the most popular arcade games of the 1980s. The game, with its distinct blend of fast-paced gameplay and synth-heavy music, helped pioneer a new type of driving game and even inspired a music genre that shares its name. The game has become a global phenomenon and, over the years, has seen multiple releases across arcades and home consoles, securing its place as one of Sega’s most iconic тιтles.

Sweeney is currently one of the busiest stars in Hollywood, but she’s also been making strides behind the camera. In the past few years, she’s taken on a more active role as a producer on Anyone But You, Immaculate, an upcoming Christy Martin biopic, and The Housemaid. Since, so far, she has only produced projects in which she also stars, it’s possible that Sweeney will also be starring in the OutRun movie.

Our Take On The Outrun Movie

Michael Bay Seems Like The Best Choice

Michael Bay seems like the best choice to bring OutRun to the big screen. He famously turned toys and cartoons into the blockbuster Transformers film franchise, so he should be able to do the same with the arcade driving game. OutRun doesn’t come with much built-in story, which shouldn’t be a major problem for Michael Bay, whose focus will be on the bombastic driving action.

Source: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline