Edgar Wright’s The Running Man Remake: Release Date, Cast, Plot Details & All We Know About This Stephen King Adaptation

Renowned director Edgar Wright is set to bring a fresh vision to Stephen King’s The Running Man in a highly anticipated remake. This iconic novel, penned under King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman, explores a dystopian world where a man risks his life on a brutal game show to earn money for his family. Although often overshadowed by King’s more famous works, the novel is credited with influencing later sensations like Battle Royale and The Hunger Games.

The original film adaptation, released in 1987 and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the protagonist Ben Richards, had a lukewarm reception both critically and commercially. King himself expressed his dissatisfaction with the movie’s interpretation. Nonetheless, as perceptions have shifted over time, Wright explicitly identified The Running Man as a project he was eager to tackle, and now, after a period of development, this remake is advancing rapidly.

Latest Updates on The Running Man Remake

Release Date Has Been Rescheduled

Glen Powell looking at Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man — Custom Image by Grant Hermanns

The release date for The Running Man remake has been officially altered. Initially slated for November 2025, the film’s premiere has been moved up to November 7, 2025. This strategic change aims to sidestep the fierce competition from the following week’s release of Wicked: For Good.

Release Date for The Running Man Remake

The Running Man Returns November 2025

Arnold Schwarzenegger on the Running Man poster with chainsaw-wielding motorcyclist

After much anticipation, a definitive release date has finally been set for this remake, which will now debut on November 7, 2025. This scheduling ensures a more favorable box office environment, allowing it to avoid direct competition with major releases. As filming is expected to begin soon, it appears that the project is on schedule for its debut.

The original film premiered on November 13, 1987, and it will be interesting to see how this remake resonates with audiences.

Cast of The Running Man Remake

Glen Powell Takes the Lead

Currently, the definitive cast list is still evolving, but it has been confirmed that Glen Powell will portray lead character Ben Richards. His casting was announced during CinemaCon in April 2024. In addition to Powell, Daniel Ezra from All American has joined the project, alongside Karl Glusman.

Recently, Josh Brolin was added to the cast as the villain Dan Killian, the ruthless producer behind the deadly game show. Notably, Lee Pace will assume the role of one of the hunters, while Michael Cera reunites with Wright, playing a rebel character named Bradley Throckmorton. Other notable cast members include:

Actor	Character
Glen Powell	Ben Richards
Josh Brolin	And Killian
Lee Pace	Evan McCone
Katy O’Brian	Unknown
Daniel Ezra	Unknown
Karl Glusman	Unknown
Jayme Lawson	Sheila Richards
Michael Cera	Bradley Throckmorton
Emilia Jones	Amelia Williams
William H. Macy	Unknown
David Zayas	Unknown
Sean Hayes	Unknown

The Running Man Remake Story

A Frantic Descent into a Deadly Game Show

Arnold Schwarzenegger holding a weapon in The Running Man ready to shoot

In contemporary storytelling, the premise of Stephen King’s The Running Man remains intriguingly relevant. If the film closely follows the source material, viewers will witness the harrowing journey of Ben Richards—an everyman thrust into a lethal competition to earn money in a society that thrives on entertainment derived from violence. The original narrative is rich with social commentary on the consumer culture of the 1980s, and under Wright’s direction, it promises to resonate with today’s audiences as well.