Before Glen Powell could officially star in The Running Man, Edgar Wright’s film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, he had to get approval from the legendary author himself.
Powell revealed at New York Comic Con (via People) that Wright offered him the lead role of Ben Richards, provided that Dr. King gave him his blessing. “Edgar offered me this movie and I was like, ‘Yeah.’ I was like, ‘Let’s go…’ and later that night[Edgar says]’By the way, we need Stephen King’s approval.’ He’s going to watch ‘Hitman’ tonight,” Powell recalled.
“So I had to wait one night for Stephen King to see ‘Hitman,’ hoping the role was still there in the morning. That’s awful,” he continued. Fortunately, King “loved” Powell’s 2023 romantic crime comedy Hitman, directed by Richard Linklater, and agreed to take on the role.
In “Running Man,” Powell plays Ben, a working-class man who desperately wants to help his sick daughter. According to the movie’s synopsis, “Contestants, known as Runners, must survive for 30 days while being chased by professional assassins. Their every move is broadcast to a bloodthirsty public, and each day brings a huge prize.” King’s 1982 novel was first made into a film in 1987 starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Wright told New York CC that his film was “more faithful to the original” while incorporating 21st century elements.
“The best thing about this (movie), and I’m really excited about it, is that Edgar decided to take this (story) and bring it into the real world, true to the book,” Powell added. “Citizens can record you (and) report you. They can also take you out. So there’s a kind of tension that’s always present throughout the movie. It’s relentless.”
“Running Man” will be released in theaters by Paramount Pictures on November 14th.
