The Running Man, Starring Glen Powell, Is Out In Theatres Now
Actor Glen Powell has starred in a string of big films over the past few years, including Anyone But You, Hit Man and Twisters, and has become one of Hollywood’s most reliable leading men.
He’s set to continue that streak with The Running Man, a thriller film releasing today, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Edgar Wright.
What is The Running Man about?
The Running Man is based on the novel by the best-selling author Stephen King, though unlike most of his famous works, it’s not horror. It’s set in a dystopian future (the novel, written in the 80s, is set in 2025) where the world is in complete turmoil and the American economy is in ruins. The protagonist, Ben Richards (Powell in this version), participates in a twisted reality show in this dystopia, which sees him chased by figures known as “Hunters”, bent on killing him and prepared to follow the contestants to the ends of the Earth, as each participant battles to win money. A previous adaptation of the film, released in 1987, featured Arnold Schwarzenegger as Ben, though it looks like Glen Powell’s version might be a bit less muscular action hero than Arnie’s.
Meanwhile, Powell is joined by a cast that includes Katy O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding) and Daniel Ezra (All American) as rival contestants, all of whom are desperate to get their hands on the prize money and evade the Hunters as the world watches on. Director Edgar Wright, behind films like Shaun of the Dead and Last Night in Soho, has indicated he’s steering the film to follow the original book closely, and how it follows people with little money or prospects risking their lives to win money.
Is there a release date?
The dizzying-sounding film’s cast includes Josh Brolin (Dune), Lee Pace (Foundation), Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim), Emilia Jones (CODA) and William H Macy (Shameless). It’s out in cinemas today [12th November].
