Why The Running Man Remake Might Actually Outrun The Original (And Iā€™m Surprised Too)

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In my opinion, Edgar Wright is an exceptional director and Glen Powell is among the top actors of today’s era. However, when I learned they would collaborate on the 2025 film “The Running Man,” it didn’t instantly seem like a surefire hit to me. After all, while there are certainly enthusiasts for the 1987 adaptation featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger and based on Stephen King’s novel (written under his pseudonym “Richard Bachman”), I personally am not among them.

While I must admit that I haven’t delved into the source material myself, the trailer for this remake piques my interest. It seems to be a truer representation of the original story, and from what I can see, it addresses many of the concerns I had with the initial adaptation. To clarify further…

The Remake Gives The Hero A Tragic Backstory

In the movie “The Running Man” from 1987, Arnold Schwarzenegger portrays Ben Richards, who is falsely accused of murder (it’s worth noting that this accusation seems rather implausible) and is subsequently imprisoned. After managing to break free after 18 months, he is apprehended again and compelled to join the titular reality TV show competition. In this game-like setting, he must engage in life-or-death combat to survive.

In Powell’s adaptation of Richard’s character, whom the actor transformed into a bulletproof physique for portraying, is not a convict but an ordinary man struggling with unemployment. His desperation to support his sick child and wife drives him to join a lethal competition. I’m drawn to tales about individuals under immense family pressure, and this version of The Running Man is no different. Schwarzenegger’s Richard may experience severe injustice, but stripping away the higher purpose behind his survival makes me feel less connected to his narrative.

The Movie Expands The Hero’s Journey Beyond An Arena

It turns out that I hadn’t read Stephen King’s “The Running Man” before, and I didn’t fully grasp how different the film adaptation with Arnold Schwarzenegger was from the book, especially in its portrayal of the main TV program. In the movie, Richard is thrust into an arena-style setting where he must defeat a series of costumed opponents called “stalkers” one by one throughout an evening. If I were a fan of the novel and watched the film in 1987, I believe I would have been quite disappointed by these changes.

In the book, Richard finds himself in a challenging situation where he must endure thirty harrowing days of being pursued by expert killers, constantly changing his location to stay undetected. It wasn’t until I read this adaptation that I discovered this aspect was originally part of the plot. To be honest, if it had been included in ’87’s The Running Man, I believe I would have enjoyed the story more. Given that this element is now a part of Edgar Wright’s adaptation, I am genuinely thrilled about it.

The Humorous Tone Is More Akin To My Taste

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to see Edgar Wright tackling this new project, given his remarkable contributions to horror-comedy (with the iconic “Shaun of the Dead”) and action-comedy genres (“Hot Fuzz” and “Baby Driver”). His unique humor style is something I deeply appreciate. The trailer for “Running Man” hints at Powell delivering Bruce Willis-esque one-liners with a comical twist, suggesting that he’s infusing this adaptation with the same wit that made his previous works so enjoyable. I’m hopeful that this fresh take will make the story more palatable for me compared to the original film.

In essence, although some people consider 1987’s “The Running Man” to be so cheesy it’s entertaining, I find that it leans too heavily on the cheese. To elaborate, Richard Dawson’s exaggerated portrayal of the show’s host (now played by Colman Domingo), while fitting his character, is tolerable for me. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s repetitive use of childish puns after each kill becomes rather grating. The trailer indicates that the new movie might have a better grasp on its humor, which I welcome wholeheartedly.

To tell you the truth, what truly convinced me about the trailer for The Running Man was when Michael Cera, working again with his director from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, demonstrates an astonishing ability to outmaneuver a group of SWAT team members using intricate, self-made traps. It’s as if he transformed into an adult version of Kevin McCallister on steroids! Although I’m excited about Glen Powell’s lead character, I’m particularly eager to witness Michael Cera’s supporting role in every scene, especially when his character makes a surprise appearance.

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2025-07-07 15:08