Edgar Wright’s The Running Man (2025) reimagines Stephen King’s dystopian thriller with Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, and Colman Domingo. A gripping, high-energy survival story hitting theaters November 7, 2025.
Release & Production
Directed and co-written by Edgar Wright, The Running Man drops into theaters on November 7, 2025, earlier dates like November 14 were revised to avoid clashing with similarly themed releases WikipediaWhat to WatchPolygon.
Principal photography wrapped in March 2025 in the UK WikipediaReddit. The production kicked off in November 2024, with location shoot sequences including London’s iconic Wembley Stadium Wikipedia.
Cast & Characters
The film features a powerhouse ensemble:
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Glen Powell stars as Ben Richards, a desperate man joining the deadly show to save his ailing daughter PolygonWhat to WatchWikipedia.
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Josh Brolin plays Dan Killian, the ruthless producer.
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Colman Domingo brings charisma to the role of the show’s on-air host PolygonWikipediaDecider.
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Other key cast members include Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, William H. Macy, Jayme Lawson, Daniel Ezra, and Katy O’Brian What to WatchWikipediaWikipedia.
Plot & Tone
This iteration hews much closer to King’s 1982 novel (written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman) than the loose 1987 Schwarzenegger version. The narrative unfolds in a dystopian near-future where economic collapse fuels a violent TV show—contestants, or “Runners,” must survive 30 days while being hunted live for a grand prize of $1 billion PolygonDeciderWikipedia.
Edgar Wright describes the film as a “dangerous road movie”—belted with danger, cinematic dynamism, and frequent location shifts, all threaded together with his trademark high-energy action and wit IMDbPolygon.
Promotion & Premiere
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The official trailer dropped on July 1, 2025, offering a darkly stylish, socially charged glimpse into the film’s dystopia YouTubePolygonWhat to Watch.
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First teaser footage premiered at CinemaCon on April 3, 2025, with appearances by Wright, Powell, and Domingo Wikipedia.
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Notably, Arnold Schwarzenegger—star of the original film—has publicly given his blessing to this adaptation People.com.
Cultural Resonance
Recent criticism highlights how this remake ties into modern society’s fascination with dystopian, gamified narratives of survival—comparing it to cultural phenomena like The Hunger Games and Squid Game El País.
Fans and pundits alike express excitement:
“I wasn’t at all excited until I learned Edgar Wright was attached. At a bare minimum, it’ll be immensely entertaining…” Reddit
“Wright’s version will be 70–75 percent faithful to the book… It is gonna be a great film. No doubt about it.” Reddit
Why This Version Matters
| Feature | What Makes It Stand Out |
|---|---|
| Faithful Adaptation | Addresses long-standing fan frustration with the 1987 film’s loose liberties, delivering the novel’s bleak political undertones and moral complexity. |
| Directorial Voice | Edgar Wright brings kinetic storytelling, humor, and emotional depth—adding freshness to a familiar premise. |
| Top-Tier Cast | Glen Powell’s rising star power, paired with standout talents like Brolin, Domingo, and Cera, adds impressive range. |
| Thematic Relevance | Its portrayal of televised violence, systemic decay, and exploitation resonates with current media critique and social commentary. |