Director Edgar Wright is taking on one of Stephen King’s most politically charged stories — The Running Man. The film, slated for U.S. release on November 14, 2025, promises to deliver a darker, more faithful take on King’s dystopian novel. For fans of the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger adaptation, this version is expected to look and feel very different.
A New Vision for a Classic Story
Wright’s film stars Glen Powell as Ben Richards, a desperate man forced to compete in a televised death game for survival. Supporting cast members include Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, and Emilia Jones — a lineup that positions the project closer to prestige territory than pure action spectacle. Rick Lyman, Film and TV Industry Consultant, points out that Wright’s choice to stay true to King’s original tone could make this one of 2025’s most talked-about releases.
The 1987 version leaned into campy, high-octane action and 80s excess. Wright’s adaptation appears aimed at exploring the story’s deeper ideas — the exploitation of human suffering for entertainment, and the blurred line between media and morality. In a time where reality TV, influencer culture, and surveillance dominate everyday life, those themes might hit harder than ever.
Stephen King’s Approval — and a Twist
According to People, Glen Powell personally sought King’s blessing before taking on the role. The author reportedly gave his approval after watching Powell’s breakout performance in Hit Man. Meanwhile, Wright confirmed that his version will not include the novel’s controversial ending, calling it one of the toughest creative decisions of his career.
Rick Lyman notes that Wright’s film could mark a turning point in how Hollywood revives older franchises. Rather than simply rebooting a brand, this is a chance to reinterpret a familiar story through the lens of today’s anxieties — and maybe even remind audiences that dystopia doesn’t always belong to the past.
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