Paramount Pictures has unveiled the first trailer for The Running Man, a dystopian action film inspired by Stephen King’s 1982 novel. Starring Glen Powell, this adaptation promises to present a version of Ben Richards that may surpass Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal.
“Stop filming me!” Powell’s character yells just before an explosion sends him tumbling off a bridge and into the water. Set in a near-future world, Ben is in a financial bind and desperately needs medical help for his sick daughter. In a bid for survival, he enters The Running Man, a lethal competition where participants, known as “Runners,” must endure 30 days while being pursued by professional assassins dubbed “Hunters.” The stakes are high: survive to claim the grand prize or perish without a chance.
As this deadly game unfolds, the entire nation is glued to their screens, eagerly anticipating Ben’s downfall.
The cast of The Running Man features Josh Brolin as Dan Killian, the merciless creator of the competition; Jayme Lawson as Sheila Richards, Ben’s wife; and Colman Domingo as the show host, Bobby Thompson.
Additional stars include Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Katy O’Brian, David Zayas, Daniel Ezra, Karl Glusman, Sean Hayes, and William H. Macy.
Directed by Edgar Wright, this marks his first feature since 2021’s Last Night in Soho. Wright collaborated with Michael Bacall on the screenplay, drawing from King’s novel, initially published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman.
This adaptation is the second big-screen iteration of The Running Man; Schwarzenegger starred in the original 1987 film, which, despite mixed critical reception, became a cult classic. While the 1987 version leaned heavily on action and spectacle, often overshadowing themes of social inequality and media manipulation present in King’s work, Powell’s rendition seems more faithful to the source material, particularly regarding his motivation—saving his ailing daughter.
Although Schwarzenegger is often credited for his comedic timing, Powell appears well-positioned to deliver the quick-witted dialogue and frenetic pacing typical of Wright’s films. The duo seems to be embracing an action-comedy vibe that contrasts with Schwarzenegger’s more serious interpretation, suggesting this version could offer a richer adaptation of King’s narrative.
The Running Man stands as a crucial opportunity for Powell. If he can achieve success both with critics and at the box office as the lead, his career could skyrocket from this point onward.
The film is set to hit theaters on November 7, 2025.
