Glen Powell Runs for His Life in Edgar Wright’s Gritty Take on ‘The Running Man’

Edgar Wright is back behind the camera with the first trailer for The Running Man landing today, showcasing Glen Powell in the lead role of a desperate father thrust into a deadly game show where survival is the only path to salvation.

Powell plays Ben Richards, a man trying to save his sick daughter by volunteering as a contestant in a brutal televised contest. The rules? Stay alive for 30 days while being hunted by a rotating cast of assassins, all under the gaze of a bloodthirsty public. The stakes are simple: endure the mayhem, win the money, and hope it’s enough to change your life.

This isn’t the first time Stephen King’s 1982 novel has been adapted. The 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger veered into camp action-heavy spectacle that took liberties with the source material. Wright’s version, co-written with Michael Bacall, promises something closer to the original book, a bleak yet biting commentary on media, violence, and the cost of fame.

Speaking at CinemaCon in April, Powell revealed just how demanding the shoot was. “I have never worked harder on a movie in my life,” he said, debuting the film’s first footage. He also shared that Schwarzenegger had given his stamp of approval. “Arnold gave us his full blessing and we get to give Arnold a very specific, fun gift from the movie,” Powell said, having connected with the original star through his son, Patrick Schwarzenegger.

Alongside Powell, the film features a stacked cast: Colman Domingo as the show’s charismatic host, Josh Brolin as a looming threat behind the scenes, and Michael Cera appearing in an unexpected turn. The ensemble also includes Katy O’Brian, Emilia Jones, William H. Macy and Jayme Lawson.

Wright, known for his kinetic style and genre-savvy direction, teams up again with cinematographer Chung Chung-hoon, reuniting for the first time since Last Night in Soho. With a release date set for 7 November, The Running Man looks set to deliver slick action, biting satire, and one of Powell’s most intense performances yet.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Instagram Twitter(X) YouTube TikTok