Stephen King has already had a great year for adaptations in 2025, and things are about to get even bigger. His adaptation year kicked off with Osgood Perkins’ version of The Monkey in February. The Life of Chuck came a few months later and got great reviews.
Following the release of The Long Walk movie in September of this year comes Edgar Wright’s version of The Running Man. First published under King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman, the 1982 dystopian novel tells the story of a man named Ben Richards who enters into a game show wherein he must survive 30 days or be killed.
The Running Man was previously adapted in 1987. This version of the story starred Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead role. Now, Glen Powell will star in Wright’s version, with a supporting cast that includes Josh Brolin, Michael Cera, Colman Domingo, Lee Pace, and Katy O’Brian. This movie has a number of great aspects, but it is an especially great companion to a 2017 action movie.
The Running Man Trailer Looks Like A Fun Action Comedy
It’s Already Looking Better Than The Arnold Schwarzenegger Version
The Running Man trailer has just been released, and it’s looking promising. The film is action-packed and will seemingly cover a much larger geographical area than the 1987 version. The action choreography is modernized, and overall looks more compelling than Schwarzenegger’s version.
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In addition to its more high-octane moments, The Running Man features comedy. While the film has intense circumstances, even the trailer alone makes Ben’s wittiness shine through. Overall, this will make for a fun action comedy.
The Running Man Is Giving Baby Driver Vibes In The Best Way
Both Were Directed By Edgar Wright
The Running Man really exudes Baby Driver energy. Baby Driver is a 2017 movie, also directed by Wright, that stars Ansel Elgort as a getaway driver who faces a particularly challenging heist.
Like the King adaptation, Baby Driver combined action with moments of comedy. Neither are constantly full of laugh-out-loud type gaffs, but the characters have sarcasm to them that adds a humorous edge to the projects.
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Both films also feature a heroic main protagonist that audiences will root for. Baby Driver was extremely well-received, with a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score, so any overlap The Running Man has with it will be welcome.
The Running Man Going Back To Edgar Wright’s Roots Is Great
We Haven’t Had Anything Like Baby Driver In A While
Wright has made a couple of movies since Baby Driver, including the documentary The Sparks Brothers and Last Night in Soho. However, none of these films have had the same energy as Baby Driver.
Baby Driver had the kind of momentum, wit, and grit of a classic Wright movie like Hot Fuzz. With The Running Man having some similar elements to Baby Driver, it seems the filmmaker will have a return to form. This is a welcome return, and coupled with strong source material from King, this lays a strong framework for The Running Man.
