Actor Glen Powell has recently secured the approval of renowned horror author Stephen King for his role in the upcoming remake of The Running Man. This accomplishment was shared by Powell during the New York Comic Con, revealing some of the anxiety he faced leading up to King’s decision.
Glen Powell’s Journey to Winning King’s Approval
When director Edgar Wright offered Powell the lead role, he eagerly accepted. However, he soon learned that he needed King’s endorsement, as the author would be watching Powell’s previous film, Hit Man, that night. The pressure was intense, and Powell described the experience as “agonizing.”
Fortunately, the next morning brought good news: King approved Powell for the role of Ben Richards, the protagonist from the original 1982 novel. According to Powell, King had “loved” Hit Man, contributing to the positive outcome.
The Plot of The Running Man
The Running Man, initially published in 1982 under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, features a dystopian narrative. The main character, Ben Richards, participates in a brutal game show where contestants are hunted across the nation. The last survivor wins a staggering prize of $1 billion, raising stakes that reflect the challenges of survival in a future society.
Details of the Upcoming Film
This new adaptation of The Running Man marks the second cinematic interpretation of the novel, following the 1987 film that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. Edgar Wright directed the current project, with a screenplay he cowrote alongside Michael Bacall.
- Release Date: November 14, 2025
- Cast:
- Glen Powell as Ben Richards
- Colman Domingo
- William H. Macy
- Lee Pace
- Emilia Jones
- Michael Cera
- Josh Brolin
- Daniel Ezra
- Jayme Lawson
As fans eagerly anticipate this new rendition, opinions on adaptations of King’s works continue to evolve. King recently shared his own list of favorite movies, notably excluding adaptations of his novels from the rankings.
With a talented cast and a visionary director, The Running Man aims to bring the thrill of King’s narrative to a contemporary audience. As the release date approaches, expectations are high for this new interpretation of a classic story.