Sega arcade classic OutRun is becoming a movie, directed by Michael Bay

In a nutshell: Universal Pictures is hard at work on its next video game movie adaptation. After striking gold with Five Nights at Freddy's and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the studio is said to be developing a film based on the iconic OutRun arcade driving game.

Sega's OutRun debuted in arcades way back in 1986 and was lauded for its impressive graphics, selectable soundtrack, and nonlinear gameplay. It was the highest-grossing arcade game of 1987 and proved to be Sega's top-earning cabinet of the decade.

OutRun spawned several sequels and remakes, the most recent being Sega Ages OutRun for the Nintendo Switch. That game is currently on sale for 70 percent off for the next few days.

Sources familiar with the matter tell Deadline that the movie adaptation will be directed by Michael Bay alongside Brad Fuller via their Platinum Dunes production company. Actress Sydney Sweeney is also reportedly attached as a producer alongside Bay. Jayson Rothwell will write the script, and Toru Nakahara will produce on behalf of Sega. Sweeney, best known for the HBO series Euphoria and The White Lotus, is not attached to an on-screen role in OutRun (not yet, anyway).

As for the plot, there is not much to report at this hour. I don't remember the original game having a storyline outside of having to reach the next checkpoint before time runs out. This leaves the script virtually wide open, and we can only hope that the iconic Ferrari Testarossa convertible is featured prominently.

Film adaptations of racing games haven't exactly lit up the box office. Need for Speed from 2014 has a tomatometer score of just 23 percent on Rotten Tomatoes; 2023's Gran Turismo fared a bit better with a score of 65 percent. While not a movie, Peacock's Twisted Metal television series got picked up for a second season that's due out on July 31. If you're a fan of the game series, season one is worth a watch as Sweet Tooth absolutely steals the show.