The 1987 adaptation of Stephen King‘s novel, The Running Man, is making its way to Paramount+ on April 1st. Fans can look forward to experiencing the film, originally brought to life by director Paul Michael Glaser, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger in the leading role, alongside María Conchita Alonso, Richard Dawson, Yaphet Kotto, and Jesse Ventura. Although met with mixed reviews, achieving a 67% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film garnered substantial interest, grossing $38.1 million against a $27 million budget.
In a new development, Edgar Wright‘s reboot of The Running Man includes a fresh ensemble cast. Dexter star, along with Glen Powell, Michael Cera, and Josh Brolin, is set to bring a renewed energy to the screen. The novel by Stephen King, published under the pseudonym “Richard Bachman,” projects a dystopian future, highlighting societal flaws in an alternate United States. While the novel is set in 2025, the original film opted for a contemporary setting between 2017 and 2019, emphasizing action over the novel’s intricate plot.
The 1987 movie, though a loose adaptation, focused on the protagonist, Ben Richards. As a scapegoat forced onto the sadistic game show, The Running Man, Richards navigates a deadly game as he battles for survival against relentless assassins. This gripping narrative continues to draw in audiences, evolving with changing times and perspectives.
Glen Powell, poised to take on Schwarzenegger’s role, assures fans that the new adaptation will adhere closely to King’s original vision. Speaking of his collaboration with Edgar Wright, Powell remarked, “And talking to him about Running Man, what’s been really incredible is his take on it. It’s very much not the original [Arnold] Schwarzenegger flick; it’s much more grounded in the Stephen King [novella] version.”
Excitingly, production for the new adaptation has wrapped up. As anticipation builds, The Running Man is slated for a theatrical release on November 7th. This latest project alongside the availability of the 1987 film on Paramount+ offers audiences a fresh way to explore the enduring allure of Stephen King’s creation, igniting debate over societal themes and their evolution in popular media.
