The New York Comic Con stage offered a first real glimpse at Edgar Wright’s take on The Running Man, a project fans have tracked for years. With Glen Powell as Ben Richards and Lee Pace aboard as the masked hunter Evan McCone, the panel whetted appetite with clips and a full trailer. The buzz centers on Wright’s vision and how the film reimagines the dystopian game show.
Wright helped bring the project to life
Wright has long pushed to bring this story to the screen, and a social post he once shared became the spark that drew producers to the project. At NYCC, he recalled a chance backstage conversation with producer Simon Kinberg that nudged the project forward. He explained his connection to Stephen King’s source material and his intent to stay closer to the book than the 1987 film.
A more faithful adaptation of the book
The team emphasizes that the remake should feel closer to Stephen King’s novel, even as it pays homage to the original film. King himself was shown the screenplay before shooting and approved it, which Wright framed as a key milestone. The aim is a modern take that remains faithful to the source while offering something new.
Powell brings a distinctive pre-shot habit
Powell draws on a quirky on-set ritual he picked up from his career, using a pre-take pump-up that echoes the adrenaline of the role. Trailers teased a moment where Richards escapes an apartment in a towel, signaling the film’s blend of intensity and humor.
Scale, scope, and two big deviations from earlier versions
Unlike the claustrophobic underground arena of the 1987 movie, Wright’s remake opens the world up to wider action and larger-scale set pieces. The film deliberately avoids pinning a single year on its future, opting for a Tomorrow that feels distinct. Wright also notes that the expanded production helped him appreciate the craft behind earlier, more contained shoots.
A Scott Pilgrim reunion behind the scenes
The cast includes Michael Cera in a key early-supporting role, delivering a lively energy alongside Powell. The reunion echoes Wright’s collaboration with Cera from Scott Pilgrim, while co-writer Michael Bacall’s presence connects this project to their Jump Street lineage.
The Running Man hits theaters on November 14, 2025.
Source: Original article
