Edgar Wright's 'The Running Man': All You Need to Know Before Release

Get ready for a thrilling ride! Edgar Wright and Glen Powell are bringing Stephen King's dystopian classic The Running Man back to the big screen, and the early buzz is absolutely electric.

TL;DR

• Edgar Wright's highly anticipated adaptation of Stephen King's The Running Man, starring Glen Powell, hits theaters November 14, 2025.
• This new film promises to be a much more faithful take on King's 1982 novel, moving away from the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger film.
• Early reactions are overwhelmingly positive, with Stephen King himself calling it "fantastic" and "Die Hard for our time," praised for its action, insanity, and "Hollywood Hitchcock mode."

Get Ready: Edgar Wright's 'The Running Man' is Almost Here!

The wait is nearly over for one of the most talked-about adaptations of the year! Director Edgar Wright, known for his unique blend of action, comedy, and clever storytelling in films like Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver, is set to unleash his vision of Stephen King's dystopian thriller, The Running Man, on November 14, 2025. And seriously, folks, if the early word is anything to go by, we're in for an absolute treat.

We've just gotten a fresh "Inside the World" featurette that takes us behind the scenes, offering a deeper dive into the high-stakes, deadly game at the heart of the story. Star Glen Powell, who's been on an incredible run lately with hits like Top Gun: Maverick and Hit Man, leads an impressive ensemble cast in what's shaping up to be a true cinematic event. And if you're a fan of the big screen experience, you're in luck: tickets are officially on sale, with the film ready to explode into IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and D-BOX formats.

A King-Sized Vision: Wright's Deep Dive into the Dystopia

For those who've loved Stephen King's original 1982 novel (penned under his Richard Bachman pseudonym), this adaptation is especially exciting. While the 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger delivered plenty of action-hero fun, it diverged quite a bit from King's darker, more satirical source material. Edgar Wright, a self-professed fan of the book, has been clear from the start: his goal was never to remake the Schwarzenegger film, but to deliver a faithful and impactful adaptation of King's novel.

Wright once shared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, "I like the film but I like the book more, and they didn't really adapt the book. Even as a teenager when I saw the Schwarzenegger film I was like, 'Oh, this isn't like the book at all!' And I think, 'Nobody's [done] that book.' So when that came up, I was thinking, and Simon Kinberg says, 'Do you have any interest in The Running Man?' I said, 'You know what? I've often thought that that book is something crying out to be adapted.' Now, that doesn't mean that it's easy! [Laughs] But it's something that we are working on, yes." This dedication to the source material is a huge reason for the widespread excitement.

Wright co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Bacall, who also collaborated with him on the fan-favorite Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Together, they've crafted a story set in a near-future society where "The Running Man" is the ultimate, top-rated television show. This isn't just reality TV; it's a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive for 30 days while being relentlessly hunted by professional assassins. Every single move is broadcast live to a bloodthirsty public, with each passing day bringing a greater cash reward for the Runner – if they can stay alive.

Meet the Cast: From Hunted Heroes to Ruthless Producers

Leading the charge as Ben Richards, the working-class man desperate to save his sick daughter, is Glen Powell. Powell's career has skyrocketed in recent years, making him the perfect choice to portray a character who transforms from a desperate participant into an unexpected fan favorite and a legitimate threat to the entire system. His charm and charisma, coupled with his ability to handle intense action, suggest he'll bring a fresh, compelling take to the role.

The supporting cast is nothing short of stellar, packed with talent that promises to bring King's vivid characters to life:

• Glen Powell as Ben Richards
• Josh Brolin as Dan Killian, the charming but ruthless producer of "The Running Man" who convinces Ben to join.
• William H. Macy as Molie Jernigan
• Lee Pace as Evan McCone, a ruthless hunter
• Emilia Jones as Amelia Williams, a privileged woman initially blind to the government's oppression
• Michael Cera as Elton Parrakis, a naive rebel who tries to help Ben
• Daniel Ezra as Bradley Throckmorton
• Jayme Lawson as Sheila Richards, Ben's daughter
• Colman Domingo as Bobby Thompson, the charismatic host of the deadly game show
• Katy O'Brian as a fellow contestant
• David Zayas as Richard Manuel
• Additional cast includes Karl Glusman, Sean Hayes, Chi Lewis-Parry (as another runner), Simon Haines, Sandra Dickerson, George Carroll, Martin Herlihy, and Sophie Simnett.

This powerhouse lineup ensures that the complex dynamics of a society obsessed with televised death will be portrayed with depth and intensity. The synopsis hints at a high-octane chase where Ben must not only outwit the professional Hunters but also a nation addicted to watching him fall.

"I've seen it and it's fantastic. 'Die Hard' for our time. A bipartisan thrill ride."

— Stephen King

Early Reactions Are Absolutely Raving – Even Stephen King Approves!

The first social media reactions are in, and they're glowing! Even Stephen King himself has weighed in, tweeting that he's "seen it and it's fantastic. Die Hard for our time. A bipartisan thrill ride." That's high praise from the master of horror and suspense, and it speaks volumes about the film's quality and its alignment with his original vision.

Other notable filmmakers and critics are also piling on the praise. Mick Garris, director of several King adaptations, exclaimed, "Talk about an upgrade... Edgar Wright absolutely kills Stephen King's THE RUNNING MAN with his ferocious reboot!" Christopher Miller of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse fame called it "delightful" with "lots of fun action and insanity." Perhaps the most epic comparison came from music video director Joseph Kahn, who likened it to Alfred Hitchcock's iconic thriller, stating, "Got to watch RUNNING MAN and this is [Edgar Wright]'s NORTH BY NORTHWEST. If you think you've seen what he can do with action with Baby Driver, you've got something special coming your way. He's got all the toys and he is in full Hollywood Hitchcock mode. It's a total blast."

These reactions suggest that Wright has successfully blended his signature kinetic style with King's intense narrative, creating a film that's both action-packed and deeply resonant. With post-production wrapped since March 2025 and VFX handled by Lucasfilm's Industrial Light & Magic, you can expect top-tier visual spectacle to complement the gripping story.

A Winning Streak for Stephen King Adaptations

It’s been a fantastic year for Stephen King fans! The Running Man arrives on the heels of several other critically acclaimed adaptations in 2025, including Oz Perkins' The Monkey and the massively acclaimed The Long Walk. On the TV front, The Institute garnered major streaming numbers, and the prequel series IT: Welcome to Derry has also received strong reviews. This year has truly showcased the enduring power and versatility of King's storytelling, making Wright's The Running Man a fitting climax to a year of fantastic King content.

So mark your calendars for November 14, 2025. With Edgar Wright at the helm, Glen Powell leading the charge, and the blessing of Stephen King himself, The Running Man is shaping up to be one of the must-see Movies of the year. Get ready to run!

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About 'The Running Man' Answered When does Edgar Wright's The Running Man release? The film is set to hit theaters on November 14, 2025. Is this a remake of the Arnold Schwarzenegger film? No, director Edgar Wright has stated that his film is a new, more faithful adaptation of Stephen King's original 1982 novel, rather than a remake of the 1987 movie. Who stars in The Running Man? The film stars Glen Powell as Ben Richards, alongside a talented cast including Josh Brolin, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, Michael Cera, Colman Domingo, and many others. What special formats will The Running Man be available in? You can experience the movie in premium large formats like IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and D-BOX. Tickets are already on sale! Will The Running Man be available on streaming services on release? Currently, The Running Man is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release. There has been no official announcement regarding its streaming availability at launch. Sources

• "Inside The World Of The Running Man Behind-The-Scenes Featurette" (Bleeding Cool)
• "Another Glen Powell Featurette for Wright's 'The Running Man' Movie" (First Showing)
• "Edgar Wright's 'The Running Man' First Reactions Are In: Is Glen Powell a Worthy Successor to Arnold Schwarzenegger?" (MovieWeb)
• "'The Running Man' Is Racing Into IMAX Theaters" (HorrorFuel.com)
• "'The Running Man' Gets A Bloody New Teaser And Posters As Tickets Go On Sale" (ComicBookMovie.com)
• "Everything We Know About Edgar Wright’s The Running Man" (CUAtower)
• "Featurette takes us inside the world of The Running Man remake" (JoBlo.com)
• "Glen Powell is in a fight for his life in an exclusive poster for The Running Man" (ScreenRant)
• "'The Running Man' Trailer & Cast: Everything to Know" (Movie Vine)