Josh Brolin’s Panic Attack on The Running Man Set Will Leave You Speechless!

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Over the past week, it’s been a thrilling experience for Stephen King fans worldwide, as we’ve been treated to a wealth of exciting adaptations. Last February saw the release of Osgood Perkins’ gripping and gory take on “The Monkey”. Now, three more King movies are set to hit theaters before 2025 comes to an end – Mike Flanagan’s “The Life Of Chuck”, Francis Lawrence’s “The Long Walk” and Edgar Wright’s “The Running Man“. During my coverage of CinemaCon 2025, I was granted exclusive access to these films, leaving me spellbound by the footage and behind-the-scenes stories I encountered. Each of these movies promises a unique and captivating take on King’s works.

This week’s The King Beat features a fascinating tale – one narrated by Josh Brolin – as its main highlight, but it’s just one of three captivating stories uncovered in this week’s column, delving into the freshest updates from the realm of Stephen King. There’s plenty to explore, so let’s dive right in!

The Running Man Production Devised A Super Cool Way To Make Josh Brolin More Comfortable Performing While Looking Right At The Camera

As a cinema enthusiast, I can relate to the challenge actors face during filming: their goal is to act as if there’s no camera around. A genuine performance often demands forgetting the contrived aspects of movie-making, which can be tough when you’re constantly aware of the lens that’s capturing your every action. It’s no surprise then, that Josh Brolin might have experienced some apprehension while working on The Running Man, given a particular scene demanded him to act directly toward the camera – a unique predicament indeed!

During a lively gathering at CinemaCon last week, I found myself sharing tales from the set of my upcoming film during a panel with writer-director Edgar Wright and fellow cast members Glen Powell and Colman Domingo. Among other topics, I discussed my chilling transformation into the villainous Killian in the forthcoming Stephen King adaptation. A particular memory that still sends a shiver down my spine was an on-set moment where I had to deliver lines directly into the camera – quite an unsettling experience, I must say!

As a movie reviewer, when Edgar Wright instructed me to lock eyes with the camera, a wave of unease washed over me. After all, sharing the screen with Glen Powell had been more like a friendly game up until then, and now, with these extended monologues looming, I found myself in uncharted territory.

In “The Running Man,” Josh Brolin portrays the main adversary: the primary producer of the Games Network, a state-operated media outlet that airs the title’s reality show. Pivotal scenes involving the character, particularly his encounters with Ben Richards (such as the initial scene where the hero is invited to participate in “The Running Man”), are characterized by tense one-on-one exchanges. Edgar Wright’s interpretation of at least one of these confrontations reportedly immerses us into Ben’s perspective.

Performing in front of a camera can be challenging as it requires actors to acknowledge the presence of the lens and there’s no one to interact with emotionally. However, director Wright is exceptionally skilled and works with a talented team, and Brolin shared that they found an ingenious solution to this problem, which made him feel more at ease on set. He went on to say…

It turned out that he placed an object on the camera that hadn’t occurred to us earlier, creating a mirroring effect that made Glen’s face appear within the camera itself. As a result, I found myself performing as if interacting with a hologram of Mr. Powell, and we managed to establish some connection between us.

Cool, right?

My fascination with the hidden intricacies of the unique invention depicted in The Running Man has only grown, and I’m eagerly awaiting Edgar Wright’s vision for the film. However, it wasn’t just the anticipation for the 2025 movie that piqued my curiosity about the film; there are other aspects as well that have me intrigued.

After Getting An Early First Look At The Running Man, I’m Curious If/How The Stephen King Movie Will Adapt The Book’s Super Dark Ending

Heed this caution, fellow cinephiles: If you’re yet to delve into ‘The Running Man’ novel and wish to avoid spoilers about its climactic twist – a revelation that might one day grace our silver screens – I strongly advise you to scroll past this paragraph.

If you haven’t read ‘The Running Man’ and don’t want to know the ending, move on to the next part below!

Initially, when news broke in early 2021 about Edgar Wright’s reimagining of “The Running Man,” I penned an article expressing my belief that two key elements from the original source might benefit from adjustments – even though the aim of the project was to produce a more accurate adaptation compared to the 1987 film featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger. My primary suggestion was that Ben Richards, the protagonist, should be portrayed by an African American actor, thereby shedding light on racial injustice within our contemporary legal system… however, this idea became moot once it was revealed that Glen Powell had been chosen to play the main character.

My second thought was that a less grim and possibly contentious conclusion, unlike the one in Stephen King’s book, might offer the best approach for the remake… However, based on the trailers displayed at CinemaCon 2025 last week, it appears they are disregarding this recommendation as well.

Let me clarify my thoughts: In essence, I believe the conclusion of the upcoming film should be modified because the hero’s actions bear an unsettling resemblance to the tragic events that transpired on September 11, 2001. In Stephen King’s original novel (first published in 1982), the main character is shocked to learn that the malevolent Games Network has no intention of giving his winnings to his family following his participation in The Running Man. Overwhelmed by grief, Ben decides to hijack an airplane and crash it into the headquarters of the state-run media.

As a movie buff, I must admit that I was initially skeptical about Edgar Wright’s upcoming film, given its premise. However, during the exclusive preview at CinemaCon, I was taken aback by some intriguing sequences that hinted at a potentially darker direction than expected. Alas, these captivating moments, including a thrilling mid-air brawl and an ominous pilot’s demise, have yet to be officially released online. However, their appearance in the footage sparked my imagination, reminding me of the bleak ending of the original novel.

Initially, The Running Man movie by Edgar Wright seems poised to deliver a lot more entertainment than the original story, with scenes like Glen Powell playfully slapping his own clad-tighty whities bottom and Michael Cera using a super soaker and an electrified floor to eliminate numerous soldiers. I was taken aback at the thought of this blockbuster maintaining the source material’s ending faithfully, but recent developments have me doubting that. Regardless, these intriguing changes have only heightened my eagerness to watch the film when it hits theaters later in 2023 – set for release on November 7.

I’m Super Curious How One Plot Description Detail For Mike Flanagan’s Upcoming Carrie Will Impact And Change The Story From Stephen King’s Book

Frankly, I’m not entirely certain what to anticipate from the Carrie series being developed by writer/director Mike Flanagan at Amazon MGM. On one side, Flanagan has an unblemished reputation for adapting Stephen King’s works – films like Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep, and The Life Of Chuck are often ranked among the best King adaptations ever made. However, this is a story that has been adapted for screen three times before. It leaves me wondering what fresh perspectives or contributions the show could possibly bring to such an established legacy?

According to recent information disclosed online this week, there might be some insights into the character of Carrie White’s father.

(The official logline for the project reads:)
“In a small town, a shy teenager with telekinetic powers is tormented by her peers at school and her overbearing, religious mother, eventually leading to a horrifying confrontation.”)

A fresh, relevant retelling of the tale featuring outcast teenager Carrie White (Howell), who’s been sheltered all her life under her mother’s controlling grip. Following an unexpected and untimely demise of her father, Carrie embarks on navigating the unfamiliar territory of high school, encounters a cruel social upheaval that rocks her environment, and discovers she possesses hidden telekinetic abilities that manifest themselves over time.

In the context of Carrie, the majority of details – such as the domineering mother, bullying, and telekinetic powers – are common knowledge for anyone who’s even vaguely acquainted with the story. However, what’s novel and intriguing is the “unexpected and untimely demise of the father.” This aspect of Carrie’s lineage has never been a focal point in previous adaptations of Stephen King’s novel. I’m curious to see how this twist will factor into Mike Flanagan’s interpretation.

In the book, Carrie’s father is named Ralph White, a devout Christian and construction worker who dies before Carrie’s birth. However, in the show, it appears that Carrie’s dad will be alive during her teenage years, potentially homeschooling her before his unexpected demise. If this change occurs, I have three main questions:

1) Will the mystery surrounding his death become a significant plot element in the series?
2) How might Ralph’s presence affect Margaret’s character development?
3) Could having Carrie’s father around provide insights into the origins of her psychic powers?

Mike Flanagan assures us there’s a reason behind remaking “Carrie” once more, and I’m curious if this detail could offer some valuable insights into the project’s progression. At the moment, the series hasn’t secured an official green light, but it’s anticipated to happen soon. When that announcement arrives, we might uncover more details about Flanagan’s adaptation plans for the story.

This wraps up our weekly installment of The King Beat! As customary, I’ll reappear next Thursday right here on TopMob, delving deeper into the newest updates about Stephen King’s realm.

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2025-04-10 19:09