“The Running Man” reboot, arriving this fall, is directed and co-written by Edgar Wright. Most might know Wright for his comedy films. His ‘Three Flavors Cornetto’ trilogy of 2004’s “Shaun of the Dead,” 2007’s “Hot Fuzz,” and 2013’s “The World’s End” all had a similarly humorous bent, perhaps with some dark elements. There was also the 2010s action rom-com “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” which was a slight departure for the filmmaker, if only for the romance involved. Then, after a controversial split with Marvel over the creative direction of 2015’s “Ant-Man,” Wright rebounded by penning and directing the action heist flick “Baby Driver.” “Driver” marked a turning point tonally for the director, being less a comedy and more a straight-up action movie. While 2021’s psychological horror “Last Night in Soho” came and went with little fanfare, it proved to audiences that Wright was capable of delivering on heavier, dramatic material.
With “The Running Man,” there is an opportunity for Wright to further prove to fans that few are better at balancing humor and action-thriller elements while also delivering on suspense. With a stellar cast that includes Glen Powell, Colman Domingo, and Michael Cera, and the blessings of its original star, this remake is a must-see.
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“The Running Man” stars Glen Powell, Katy O’Brian, Daniel Ezra, Karl Glusman, Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, Jayme Lawson, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, William H. Macy, David Zayas, Sean Hayes, and Colman Domingo. Edgar Wright serves as writer/director/producer. Michael Bacall is co-writer. “The Running Man” is based on the novel by Stephen King. Wright, Simon Kinberg, and Nira Park are producers. Executive producers are James Biddle, Audrey Chon, George Linder, and Rachael Prior.
Ben Richards, a regular man, in hopes of earning some money to support his family, competes in a popular TV game show called The Running Man, where murderous Hunters pursue him across the world to win a monetary prize.
Here’s the official synopsis:
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.
Paramount Pictures will release “The Running Man” in theaters on November 7.
