"OutRun" live-action film adaptation by Michael Bay and Sydney Sweeney

Following the overwhelming success of video game adaptations such as "A Minecraft Movie" and the HBO series "The Last of Us", Universal now wants to step on the gas itself – in the truest sense of the word. The studio is planning a live-action film adaptation of Sega's legendary arcade racing game "OutRun". The film will be directed by none other than action specialist Michael Bay, while Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney is involved as a producer.

According to exclusive information from Deadline, the film will be written by Jayson Rothwell, known for "Polar" and "Silent Night". Michael Bay, who has already directed blockbusters such as "Transformers" and "Bad Boys", will not only direct, but also act as producer. Toru Nakahara, producer behind successful Sega adaptations such as the "Sonic" films and the "Knuckles" series, is also on board. Shuji Utsumi, currently President and COO of Sega Corporation, will be responsible for creative supervision from Sega.

"OutRun" is one of the most influential arcade games of the 1980s. It redefined the racing game genre by combining high-speed gameplay with a sense of freedom and coolness – underpinned by an iconic synthwave soundtrack that even inspired its own music genre: "OutRun". Since its first release in 1986, Sega has brought out numerous sequels and ports to home consoles. To this day, "OutRun" is considered a milestone and cult classic.

Although specific details about the film's plot are still being kept under wraps, with a director like Michael Bay we can hope for a visual rollercoaster ride with fast-paced action, fast cars and explosive moments. A release date has not yet been set.

Explosions, action and adrenaline: Michael Bay's best-known films

Michael Bay is one of Hollywood's best-known and at the same time most controversial directors. His films are bombastic, loud, visually overwhelming – and often polarizing. Critics accuse him of superficiality and an obsession with explosions, while fans love him for precisely these trademarks. Regardless of which side you are on: Bay has shaped modern action cinema like few others. Below we take a look at his most famous works.

Bad Boys (1995) & Bad Boys 2 (2003)

Michael Bay's career began with "Bad Boys". In this cop-buddy film, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence shine as a contrasting duo in a fast-paced mixture of comedy, car chases and stylish action. "Bad Boys" was a commercial success and established Bay as a director who could combine great action with humor.

"Bad Boys 2" went one better in 2003 – with a bigger budget, longer running time and more explosions. Critics were divided, but audiences loved the unrestrained action. The film was a hit and is still considered a prime example of Bay's excessive style.

The Rock (1996)

Many consider "The Rock" to be Bay's best film. The action thriller starring Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris is a classic of 90s action cinema. The story: A group of renegade soldiers occupy Alcatraz and threaten to fire a chemical weapon at San Francisco. Only an FBI chemical weapons expert and an old inmate can prevent the catastrophe. "The Rock" combines strong characters, a clever script and breathtaking action – for many critics a positive exception in Bay's filmography.

Armageddon (1998)

Few films divide opinion as much as "Armageddon". The story about a group of oil drillers sent into space to destroy an asteroid is dramatic, kitschy and pathetic – but also emotionally stirring and full of iconic moments. The cast – with Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler and Steve Buscemi – and the Aerosmith song "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" made the film a pop-cultural phenomenon. "Armageddon" was a worldwide blockbuster in 1998 and remains one of Bay's best-known works.

Pearl Harbor (2001)

"Pearl Harbor" is Bay's attempt to combine action with historical drama. The epic love story set against the backdrop of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor impresses with its elaborate staging and visually stunning depiction of the battle. Despite its powerful images, the film was criticized for its historical inaccuracies and clichéd love story. Nevertheless, "Pearl Harbor" was a commercial success and received four Oscar nominations.

Transformers series (2007-2017)

With the "Transformers" series, Michael Bay reached his commercial peak – and perhaps also the peak of his signature style: hyperactive camera movements, visual overpowering, a mix of pathos and humor and, of course, slow-motion explosions.

The first "Transformers" film (2007) was a worldwide mega-hit and turned Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox into stars. Bay directed a total of five films in the series. Critically, the quality declined with each sequel, while the spectacle continued to increase. Nevertheless, the series grossed several billion dollars and had a significant impact on blockbuster cinema in the 21st century.

Pain & Gain (2013)

With "Pain & Gain", Bay showed that he could do things differently. The black comedy is based on a true story about three bodybuilders (played by Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne Johnson, among others) who become entangled in criminal machinations. The film is unusual for Bay: smaller budget, satirical tone, almost social criticism. Although not entirely free of Bay's typical excesses, "Pain & Gain" was praised for its variety and perceived as an interesting excursion into a different genre.

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)

This war film about the attack on a US consulate in Libya is one of Bay's more serious works. "13 Hours" shows the dramatic events from the perspective of a small group of security forces. Even though the film is staged in the usual Bay manner, it is appreciated for its intensity and more realistic tone.

Conclusion

Michael Bay is a director who loves blockbuster cinema – and is hated or celebrated by many for it. His films are not subtle, but they deliver what they promise: spectacle, action and entertainment. Even though he rarely wins critics' awards, he has thrilled generations of viewers with films such as "The Rock", "Armageddon" and "Transformers". Whether you see him as a master of explosions or as a representative of "over-the-top" cinema, Michael Bay has secured himself a permanent place in film history.