The Character from The Running Man Exhibits Bizarre Behavior, Echoing Classic Quirks of Director Edgar Wright
Edgar Wright's long-awaited adaptation of Stephen King's "The Running Man" is set to hit theatres on November 14, 2025, following a one-week delay to maximise IMAX theatre availability[1][3][4][5].
In this dystopian thriller, Glen Powell stars as Ben Richards, a desperate man who enters a deadly televised game show where contestants, known as "Runners", must survive being hunted by assassins for 30 days while the public watches. Ben is motivated by the need to save his sick daughter and becomes an unexpected fan favourite, threatening the show's corrupt system[1][5].
Joining Powell in the main cast are Josh Brolin as the ruthless producer of the game show, Dan Killian, Colman Domingo as the game show host, Bobby Thompson, Katy O’Brian as a contestant, Lee Pace as hunter Evan McCone, and Michael Cera as Bradley, a rebel who assists Ben[2][5].
The film retains the violent survival game core from King's 1982 novel, focusing on a falsely accused man forced to participate in a deadly game show to earn his freedom—a concept loosely adapted in the 1987 Schwarzenegger film but reportedly closer to the original novel in Wright's version[2].
Unique elements of the adaptation include Edgar Wright’s direction and co-writing role alongside Michael Bacall and Stephen King himself, suggesting fidelity to the source material with Wright’s signature dynamic and stylish filmmaking. The film aims to leverage IMAX technology for a high-impact immersive dystopian thriller experience[1][3][5].
The movie features a series of action-packed scenes, including Ben sliding into an elevator shaft and throwing a grenade back, which is returned and explodes in the elevator[1]. The camera follows Ben in a long take through a hallway filled with explosions and gunshots, and Ben swings from a rope into a building and crashes through a window[1].
Other notable scenes include a fight in a plane's cockpit, resulting in the pilots' deaths, and an arrow smashing someone's head into a tree[1]. Jayme Lawson plays Ben Richards' wife in the adaptation, and Michael Cera's character electrocutes the floor in a booby-trapped house[1].
In one memorable moment, Ben falls into a sewer and lands safely in gross water, only to scream into the camera and give the middle finger[1]. The first footage of the adaptation has been released, showcasing the film's high-octane action and Wright's signature visual style[1].
With its release date fast approaching, fans of Edgar Wright and Stephen King alike are eagerly anticipating the release of this exciting adaptation.
| Aspect | Details | |-----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Release Date| November 14, 2025 (IMAX-focused delay) | | Director | Edgar Wright | | Lead Cast | Glen Powell (Ben Richards), Josh Brolin (Dan Killian), Colman Domingo (Bobby Thompson), Katy O’Brian, Lee Pace, Michael Cera | | Plot | Dystopian survival game show; Ben Richards must survive hunters for 30 days to save his daughter and win freedom | | Unique Elements | Closer to King’s novel than 1987 adaptation; Wright’s stylish direction; IMAX utilization |
This information consolidates details from multiple sources reporting on the film's production, release, casting, and plot synopsis as of August 2025[1][2][3][4][5].
[1] Collider, "Edgar Wright's The Running Man Gets a November 2025 Release Date", link
[2] Deadline, "Edgar Wright's The Running Man: First Footage Revealed At CinemaCon", link
[3] Variety, "Edgar Wright's The Running Man Moves to November 14 Release Date", link
[4] The Hollywood Reporter, "Edgar Wright's The Running Man Moves to November 14 Release Date", link
[5] IGN, "Edgar Wright's The Running Man: Everything You Need to Know", link
- Gizmodo is anticipated to release an article about the upcoming movie adaptation of Stephen King's "The Running Man," with a focus on the film's unique elements and innovative use of IMAX technology.
- After considering various release dates, the makers of "The Running Man" have decided to postpone the film by a week to enhance the IMAX theatre experience, raising hopes that the movie's futuristic technology in conjunction with movies-and-tv entertainment will provide viewers with an immersive experience.
- Apart from the original source material and Edgar Wright's directing prowess, io9 might delve into the roles of the main cast members, such as Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, and Michael Cera, as well as the talents behind the screen, like co-writer Michael Bacall and Stephen King himself, in their upcoming coverage of the movie.
