Glen Powell Shares Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Shocking Reaction to ‘The Running Man’ Remake

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1987 saw the debut of “The Running Man,” a film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger that was initially met with criticism by critics but has since gained a dedicated fanbase due to its memorable one-liners and excessive violence, which is loosely adapted from a novel by Stephen King. This year, the movie will experience a revamp, with Glen Powell stepping into the shoes of Ben Richards, a role originally played by Schwarzenegger. In a recent interview, Powell shared his take on Schwarzenegger’s thoughts and director Edgar Wright’s remake of this cherished classic from Schwarzenegger’s filmography.

In a conversation about his latest condiment line, Smash Kitchen, the topic of “The Running Man” film remake was brought up. Scheduled for release on November 7, this new adaptation is said to stick closer to the original story than the 1987 movie did and modernize Stephen King’s narrative for contemporary audiences. Taking on such an iconic role was a challenge even for Powell, who has previously acted in popular films like Twisters, Top Gun: Maverick, and Hit Man. To prepare for this role, he contacted Schwarzenegger’s son to connect with the action star himself.

My good friend Patrick Schwarzenegger and I have a close bond, and I recently reached out to him to see if it was possible for me to connect with his father, Arnold Schwarzenegger. It’s been quite some time since we last worked together on the set of Expendables in Bulgaria.

2014 marked the time when that event occurred. Since then, quite a bit of time has elapsed. One might wonder if Schwarzenegger would be open to Powell and Wright remaking “The Running Man” today. They didn’t legally require his approval, but it was thoughtful of them to reach out to the star over FaceTime for a chat about the project. According to Powell, their efforts proved fruitful.

Arnold has warmly endorsed our venture, and in a few weeks, we’ll be able to present him with an exciting, movie-related token. I’m really looking forward to our meeting!

Edgar Wright Calls ‘The Running Man’ a “Road Movie”

To emphasize the contrast between the 1987 film and Wright’s adaptation, simply compare their backdrops. The Schwarzenegger movie was limited to a desolate section of Los Angeles, partitioned into four zones, whereas Wright’s production will echo King’s original concept, allowing Richards freedom to travel anywhere in the world to avoid hunters seeking to eliminate him. As Wright mentioned to Empire this month, “One aspect of the book that I found captivating was how Ben Richards was out in the world on his own, making it like the deadliest game of hide-and-seek.

The experience seems quite similar to creating a thrilling, perilous road trip film: Ben is navigating distinct landscapes and encountering various individuals as he strives to endure thirty days in the untamed wilderness.

Filming for the movie titled “The Running Man” concluded recently. Now, it will move into post-production where special effects and other enhancements will be added prior to its release in November. Joining Powell in this film are actors Josh Brolin, Michael Cera, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, and Katy O’Brian who make up the main cast. If you fancy watching Arnold Schwarzenegger’s original beforehand, it can be streamed on Paramount+ at present.

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2025-04-04 22:02