Home / Arts and Entertainment / Stephen King Gives Blessing to Glen Powell for "The Running Man" Remake
Stephen King Gives Blessing to Glen Powell for "The Running Man" Remake
20 Oct
Summary
- Glen Powell had to get approval from Stephen King to star in Edgar Wright's "The Running Man" adaptation
- King "loved" Powell's recent film "Hit Man" and agreed he could play the lead role
- Wright's version will be more faithful to the original 1982 novel while incorporating 21st-century elements
In October 2025, actor Glen Powell revealed that he had to get the blessing of legendary author Stephen King before officially signing on to star in Edgar Wright's film adaptation of "The Running Man." Wright had offered Powell the lead role of Ben Richards, but on the condition that King approved of the casting.
Powell explained that he had to wait anxiously overnight for King to watch his 2023 romantic crime comedy "Hit Man" and decide if he was the right fit. Fortunately, the author "loved" Powell's performance, and agreed that he could take on the role of Ben, a desperate working-class man who competes on a deadly TV show.
Wright's version of "The Running Man" is set to be more faithful to King's original 1982 novel compared to the 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The director plans to incorporate 21st-century elements, including the ever-present threat of citizens recording and reporting on the Runners. Powell is excited about this added layer of tension that will run throughout the entire movie.
"The Running Man" is slated to hit theaters on November 14th via Paramount Pictures.
