Though it’s not out yet, Glen Powell’s upcoming The Running Man is already looking good. The early reactions have been extremely positive. There is no Rotten Tomatoes score or Letterboxd rating because it’s still over a week away and under embargo, but the early signs are good. That includes a certain former star who played Ben Richards in the original adaptation of the Stephen King novel.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Loves Glen Powell’s The Running Man
When audiences see Glen Powell transform into Ben Richards on November 14, it will not be the first time someone’s taken on the character. The early Stephen King novel, written under the pseudonym Richard Bachmann, was adapted in 1987 with Arnold Schwarzenegger taking on the role of Richards.
Comparisons will be inevitable, but for what it’s worth, the longtime actor is thrilled with what Edgar Wright and Powell have done. Powell said via Collider, “He was so excited that the Stephen King book we put on screen. It’s really the first time Stephen’s vision has been properly adapted. He just kept saying, ‘It’s incredible.’”
Movies have so many more things available to them now than in 1987 when the original was made, but that’s why Schwarzenegger is hopeful that the remake will do things the original just couldn’t. When the film was first announced, Schwarzenegger said, “I think they have a good chance now with the new Running Man to make it better. And I hope, for their sake and for my sake, that they will be successful.”
Powell added, “He loved it — freaked out, was so excited. But the first thing he told me was, ‘This was a very painful movie for you.’…He’s like, ‘One of the hardest action movies – those are just not easy things to get right.’” It’s been a while since the original, and it didn’t really become a beloved classic, but nevertheless, following up Schwarzenegger in taking on a King novel is no easy feat. Though we can’t say for sure, it looks like Powell accomplished it, though.
Tom Cruise Approves of The Running Man as Well
Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the most iconic action stars in Hollywood history, so getting his seal of approval is really phenomenal and bodes well for The Running Man. But Schwarzenegger isn’t the action star. That title goes to Tom Cruise. He worked with Glen Powell on Top Gun: Maverick, and the two developed a relationship.
Cruise also loved what he saw from Powell’s new film, one that requires him to channel Cruise’s action work. “Watching that teaser with Tom Cruise is a memory I’ll never forget,” Powell said in a prior interview. “He was so stoked after watching it. What’s been amazing about my relationship with Tom is that he’s a guy who doesn’t hide his excitement. He loves the theatrical experience, working hard, and putting your body on the line to entertain audiences.”
So far, most who’ve seen the film have loved it. Stephen King himself loved it, sharing on social media that he enjoyed the movie. He noted that it was different enough to keep him on his toes throughout the runtime, but it was still a very faithful adaptation of his original work. It is said to be a little more true to the book than the original film.
Conclusion
Glen Powell and Edgar Wright’s The Running Man hits theaters on November 14, and it is shaping up to be a big hit this holiday season. So far, the early reactions are great, and many of them are coming from people, like Tom Cruise and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who very much know what they’re talking about.
