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Bringing their A-game to this past weekend’s NYCC, director Edgar Wright and stars Glen Powell and Lee Pace brought some exclusive footage to their panel as they broke down the latest big screen Stephen King adaptation. Set to stay more truthful to King’s writings, this version of The Running Man looks like a delirious good time and should catapult Glen Powell into official action star status. If you ask me, I think this looks like full-throttle action gold.
I’m pretty sure this was what fans got to see in the form of a new trailer that highlights even more adrenaline pumping action and drama as Powell becomes a somewhat willing participate in a month-long game where survival is pretty much the only award. Plus, its set to the glorious “Don’t Bring Me Down” from Electric Light Orchestra or as they’re more affectionately called ELO. Chef’s kiss boys on that one. Scroll below for more insanity as the latest trailer for Wright’s insane new vision officially runs online! As Glen so perfectly exclaims, “Welcome to The Running Man!”
In a near-future society, The Running Man is the top-rated show on television—a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort. But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.
Starring along with Powell and Pace is a stellar and stacked cast including Josh Brolin (The Goonies, Sicario), Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Colman Domingo (Fear the Walking Dead), Katy O’Brian (Twisters), and William H. Macy (Fargo).
While Arnie’s version was straight up 80’s action excess with all the action taking place in one location, Wright’s movie follows King’s story a little more faithfully as Powell is chased throughout the world with a one-month marathon to stay alive. This will certainly broaden the scope and scale of the story while hopefully delivering some killer action set pieces at the same time. Powell really looks to be having fun here and channels a lot of swagger and broad bravado in his performance and I think this film will finally deliver Powell as a full-fledged leading man in action cinema.
I’m a massive fan of the decadent 80’s slugfest that Arnie put out but I’m looking forward to seeing Powell grab the action mantle by the horns and deliver something different. Wright is one of today’s top directors so this should be one hell of a ride come November.
The Running Man runs into theaters on November 14!!!!
