Running

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Summary

  • Glen Powell will play Ben Richards in The Running Man remake, and he sought advice on running from Tom Cruise.
  • The remake, directed by Edgar Wright, will be more faithful to the source material, with themes relevant to today’s social media age.
  • Powell said the original The Running Man star Arnold Schwarzenegger had given his full blessing to the remake.

In no time, “The Running Man” is set to make a comeback on the silver screen, starring Glen Powell as the main protagonist, Ben Richards. Lately, Powell has disclosed some words of wisdom from Tom Cruise concerning this film.

The initial movie “The Running Man” was adapted from Stephen King’s 1982 novel of the same title and hit screens in 1987. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Ben Richards, this film saw him being compelled to take part in a lethal television game show known as “The Running Man.” In this game, competitors are pursued by professional assassins for public entertainment. The upcoming remake is helmed by director Edgar Wright (known for films like “Baby Driver,” “Shaun of the Dead,” and “Last Night in Soho”), who has stated that it will be truer to the original story compared to the first film. Recently, Powell revealed his preparation process for playing the role.

In his own words at CinemaCon, Powell shared that when he landed the role in the remake of The Running Man, he immediately reached out to Tom Cruise – a fellow collaborator from the action-adventure blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick. Impressed by Cruise’s openness about his “theatrical experience” and seeking guidance for his new role, Powell asked for advice on how to convincingly portray running. According to him, Cruise suggested that he should film himself running as soon as possible, emphasizing that he didn’t come across as cool as he thought. Additionally, Powell mentioned that he consulted with “running coaches” who acknowledged that there was only one actor who knew how to run convincingly on screen, and that was none other than Cruise.

Glen Powell Picked The Right Guy To Call For Advice

Tom Cruise Knows How To Be An Action Star

In the action-packed dystopian America thriller, Powell is expected to be seen doing a lot of running. He humorously mentioned he doesn’t have Tom Cruise’s action plan, isn’t aiming to replace the star of Jack Reacher, and learned quite a bit from Cruise about executing an action movie effectively. Apart from acknowledging Cruise, Powell also disclosed that they obtained Schwarzenegger’s approval for the remake. Powell revealed that Patrick Schwarzenegger, who stars in White Lotus, is a close friend of his, so he reached out to him to discuss with Arnold. Previously, they had worked together on The Expendables and The Expendables 3. According to Powell, Arnold gave them his complete approval, as reported by People magazine.

Enthusiasts are already buzzing with anticipation over the upcoming remake of The Running Man, as they believe this venture is tailor-made for Wright and Powell. They eagerly await the blend of gripping action sequences and poignant emotional depth, elements that were notably absent in the initial film. However, fans are not envisioning a shot-for-shot remake; instead, they’re hoping for a thoughtful adaptation that stays true to the essence of the source material. They yearn for a rendition that respects the original narrative’s essence and transcends the typical sci-fi thriller experience.

The themes of manipulation, government control, and violence as a form of entertainment presented in “The Running Man” remain just as pertinent today as they were in the ’80s. With the rise of social media and dystopian narratives, this film’s narrative could strike a chord with contemporary audiences. It shares similarities with popular franchises such as “The Hunger Games” and “Squid Game,” which have garnered global acclaim. The director is anticipated to combine stylish visuals and biting satire to create another critically-acclaimed film that explores the disturbing notion of violence being consumed for entertainment, a topic particularly relevant in today’s social media landscape.

The Running Man is set for a theatrical release on November 7, 2025.

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2025-04-05 21:44