MOVIE NEWS – Back in 1987, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s adaptation of The Running Man didn’t impress critics, yet it has since gained cult status for its punchy quotes and over-the-top violence. Loosely inspired by the Stephen King novel, the movie is now getting a fresh retelling with Glen Powell stepping into the role of Ben Richards. The actor recently opened up about what Schwarzenegger really thinks about him and Edgar Wright rebooting one of his most iconic films.
During a recent interview with People where he was promoting his surprisingly real new condiment brand, Smash Kitchen, Glen Powell spoke at length about the upcoming reboot of The Running Man. The new movie, which is slated to premiere on November 7, aims to be a far more faithful interpretation of Stephen King’s original novel than the 1987 action classic. With an updated setting and contemporary tone, this version seeks to resonate with today’s audiences while honoring its source material. Despite Powell’s experience in big-budget action films like Twisters, Top Gun: Maverick, and Hit Man, taking on the lead role of Ben Richards came with its own set of pressures. To get some perspective—and maybe a blessing—he reached out to Patrick Schwarzenegger, hoping to connect with the action icon himself.
“Patrick Schwarzenegger is a close friend of mine, and I asked him if he could help me get in touch with Arnold. I hadn’t spoken to Arnold since we worked on Expendables together in Bulgaria.”
That encounter dates back to 2014, making it over a decade since they last met. The big question remained: how would Arnold react to someone else reimagining his role in The Running Man? Though they weren’t obligated to get his approval, Powell and Edgar Wright still decided to reach out and give him a respectful heads-up via FaceTime. According to Powell, it turned out to be a great call.
“Arnold gave us his full blessing, and we’re actually planning to give him a special little gift from the new movie in a couple of weeks. I’m really excited to see him again.”
Edgar Wright Describes the Reboot as a High-Stakes Road Thriller
One of the most notable differences between the original 1987 film and Wright’s upcoming version lies in the geographical scope of the story. While Schwarzenegger’s movie was largely set within a dystopian, divided section of Los Angeles, Wright has chosen to return to King’s original concept, where Ben Richards is allowed to roam the world in a desperate attempt to stay alive while being hunted. In an interview with Empire earlier this month, Wright explained how the setting and tone significantly shape this retelling.
“What I really loved about the book is that Ben Richards is completely alone and has to survive out in the world—it’s like the deadliest version of hide-and-seek you can imagine.”
“In many ways, it felt like making a road movie, but one that’s incredibly tense and life-threatening. Ben travels through a variety of locations, encountering new people and challenges, all while trying to make it 30 days on the run.”
The production wrapped principal photography last week and is now entering post-production, where visual effects and final touches will be added ahead of the film’s November release. Alongside Powell, the ensemble cast includes Josh Brolin, Michael Cera, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, and Katy O’Brian. For those wanting to revisit the 1987 original before diving into the reboot, it’s currently available for streaming on Paramount+.
Source: People
