Edgar Wright's 'The Running Man' Trailer: Get Ready to Run!

The highly anticipated new trailer for Edgar Wright's take on Stephen King's "The Running Man" just dropped, and it's got everyone buzzing, especially the horror master himself!

TL;DR

• A thrilling new trailer is out for Edgar Wright's "The Running Man," starring Glen Powell and Josh Brolin.
• This isn't a remake of the '87 film, but a faithful, grittier adaptation of Stephen King's original dystopian novel.
• Get ready for action, social commentary, and Glen Powell doing his own wild stunts when it hits theaters on November 14, 2025.

Hit the Ground Running: Your First Look at "The Running Man"

Okay, movie fans, get ready because the latest trailer for Edgar Wright's "The Running Man" just landed, and it looks like we're in for one heck of a ride! Starring the ever-charismatic Glen Powell and powerhouse Josh Brolin, this flick is already generating some serious buzz, and for good reason.

We've all been curious about how Wright, known for his unique blend of action and humor (think "Shaun of the Dead" or "Baby Driver"), would tackle a dystopian classic like Stephen King's "The Running Man." And if the new footage is anything to go by, he's delivering a high-octane, visually stunning experience that promises to keep us on the edge of our seats.

The trailer hit screens on a recent Monday morning, following an initial teaser that came out over the summer, and it definitely delivers. It paints a picture of a world both grim and exhilarating, a perfect blend for a popcorn flick that doesn't shy away from deeper themes.

The Premise: Survival of the Fastest (and Smartest)

Let's talk plot, because this isn't just another action movie. "The Running Man" plunges us into a near-future society marked by economic collapse and an insatiable hunger for reality television. The top-rated show? You guessed it, "The Running Man." It's a deadly game where contestants, known as "Runners," are literally hunted by professional assassins for 30 days, all while their every move is broadcast to a bloodthirsty nation.

Our hero, Ben Richards (played by Glen Powell), is a working-class guy who's desperate. He needs money for his critically ill daughter's medicine, and entering "The Running Man" becomes his last, desperate gamble. He's convinced by the show's charming, yet utterly ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), that this is his only way out. As the trailer shows, what starts as a fight for survival quickly turns into a nationwide phenomenon, with Richards becoming an unexpected fan favorite and, consequently, a massive threat to the system.

The game isn't confined to a single arena; Runners are allowed to go anywhere in the world, making it a global manhunt that intensifies with each passing day and bigger cash reward. The stakes are clear: survive and win fame, fortune, and maybe freedom, or fail and face a public execution. Talk about high-pressure television!

A Deep Dive into the Star-Studded Cast

Beyond Powell and Brolin leading the charge, Edgar Wright has assembled an incredible ensemble for this film, ensuring every character pops off the screen:

• Glen Powell as Ben Richards: The desperate family man turned reluctant folk hero.
• Josh Brolin as Dan Killian: The manipulative and conniving producer of the deadly game show.
• Colman Domingo as Bobby Thompson: The bombastic host of "The Running Man" show.
• William H. Macy: Appears as an underground figure who helps Ben, even if he won't sell him C4.
• Michael Cera: Another underground figure, who offers Ben some insight into why people are rooting for him.
• Lee Pace as Evan McCone: One of the key "Hunters" trying to take Ben down.
• Also featuring: Katy O'Brian, Sean Hayes, Jayme Lawson (potentially Sheila Richards), Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, and Martin Herlihy.

This lineup guarantees not just action, but also compelling performances as Ben navigates a world where everyone is either hunting him or watching his struggle.

Stephen King's Seal of Approval: "DIE HARD for Our Time"

One of the biggest endorsements this film could get comes straight from the source: Stephen King himself! The author of the original 1982 novella (written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman) has seen Wright's adaptation and is absolutely thrilled.

"I've seen it and it's fantastic," King shared on X and Threads. "DIE HARD for our time. A bipartisan thrill ride."

— Stephen King

That's incredibly high praise, especially considering King's well-known history of being critical of adaptations of his work (looking at you, "The Shining"!). His excitement is a clear signal that this new take successfully captures the spirit of his original, darker, and grittier vision.

Not Your Dad's "Running Man": A Faithful Adaptation

If you're thinking, "Didn't Arnold Schwarzenegger do this already?" you're right! But here's the kicker: Edgar Wright's film isn't a remake of the 1987 movie. Instead, it's a fresh, faithful adaptation of King's original novel. The '87 version, while a cult classic, was a notoriously loose adaptation, transforming the story into a vehicle for its star, focusing on a wrongly convicted super-cop battling flamboyant gladiators in a contained arena.

Wright's film, however, aims to bring back the grim premise of King's 1982 novel. In the book, Ben Richards isn't a framed hero but an impoverished, desperate man in a totalitarian future. His motivation is purely survival and earning money for his sick child, not fighting for freedom as much as fighting to stay alive. The game itself is a global manhunt, with the contestant declared an enemy of the state, making it far more expansive and terrifying than the '87 film's televised arena battles.

From the trailers, it looks like Wright has managed to put his own stamp on the material, blending a somewhat lighter, more swaggering protagonist (think Bruce Willis' John McClane, as one reviewer noted) with intense action and violence, all while adhering to the core themes of media manipulation, economic desperation, and class warfare that King originally explored.

Glen Powell's Dedication: Taking Real Punches

Glen Powell isn't just showing up for this role; he's putting his body on the line. He's reportedly performing most of his own stunts for "The Running Man," making it his most demanding role to date. And he wants you to know it!

Powell shared that he had to make an agreement with director Edgar Wright to ensure viewers could tell it was him doing the stunts. "If I'm going to be taking a shot to the face, please, please let them know it's me, that I'm putting my body on the line to entertain them," he recounted. This dedication, inspired by his mentor Tom Cruise (who famously advised him, "if it's called The Running Man, you better show up ready to run"), promises a truly immersive and visceral viewing experience.

We're talking being "thrown over, like off of roofs, and over walls, and taking real punches to the gut." So, when you see Ben Richards dodging explosions and engaging in close combat, know that's probably Glen Powell getting those bruises for your entertainment!

A Timely Tale: Reality, Violence, and Society's Gaze

Beyond the action, "The Running Man" feels incredibly relevant today. The film's themes of exploitation, voyeurism, and public desensitization resonate in a world obsessed with viral moments, social media, and reality TV. It's a sharp social critique wrapped in a thriller, exploring how easily society normalizes cruelty when it's packaged as spectacle.

The updated version leans into the idea of a society so numb to cruelty that it confuses murder with entertainment, using surveillance and mass media to blur the lines between the hunted and the audience. This isn't just sci-fi; it's a cautionary tale about where our entertainment-driven culture could lead, making it a "bipartisan thrill ride" as King put it, that can provoke as much thought as it delivers thrills.

When and Where to Catch the Run

Mark your calendars, because "The Running Man" is sprinting into theaters on November 14, 2025! (While one early report mentioned November 7, most sources and updates confirm the 14th.)

And if you want to truly immerse yourself in Ben Richards' desperate dash for survival, many cinemas will be offering special formats. You can catch the incredible visuals and explosive stunts in IMAX, feel every vibration and chase sequence in 4DX with moving chairs and environmental effects, or experience the massive action scenes on a gigantic screen with booming Dolby Atmos sound in Superscreen. Get ready to feel like you're part of the chase!

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About "The Running Man"

When does Edgar Wright's "The Running Man" release?

The film is set to hit theaters on November 14, 2025.

Who is starring in the new "The Running Man" movie?

Glen Powell leads the cast as Ben Richards, with Josh Brolin as Dan Killian, Colman Domingo as Bobby Thompson, and a stellar supporting cast including William H. Macy, Michael Cera, Lee Pace, and Katy O'Brian.

Is this a remake of the Arnold Schwarzenegger film?

No, this is a new and faithful adaptation of Stephen King's 1982 novel, "The Running Man," not a remake of the 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Director Edgar Wright is aiming for a grittier, more book-accurate portrayal.

What is the expected rating for "The Running Man"?

The official rating is unknown at this time, but based on the themes and action, a PG-13 rating seems likely.

Sources

• Outkick
• Mashable
• Rolling Stone
• ComicBook.com
• MovieWeb
• Cineworld
• IGN Trailers
• FilmDaily