An action-packed flick featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger was actually penned by renowned author Stephen King, and a new edition of the movie is now due to be released.
The Running Man, which hit the big screen in 1987, is a loose adaptation of King’s 1982 novel of the same name.
Interestingly, King published the book under the alias Richard Bachman, leaving many fans oblivious to the fact that it was his creation.
Upon its release, the film raked in impressive box office numbers, although it received mixed reviews from critics.
The star-studded lineup of The Running Man boasted names like Schwarzenegger, María Conchita Alonso, Yaphet Kotto, Jesse Ventura, and Erland Van Lidth, reports the Express.
Fast forward to now, a new rendition of The Running Man is slated for release later this year, following director Edgar Wright’s 2017 announcement of his plans to reimagine the blockbuster.
Edgar not only helms the dystopian action thriller but also co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Bacall, drawing inspiration from King’s original novel.
The upcoming adaptation will feature a host of stars including Glen Powell, Katy O’Brian, Daniel Ezra, Karl Glusman, Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Sean Hayes, and David Zayas.
The Running Man spins the tale of Ben Richards, a man who signs up for a deadly game show where contestants are hunted down by hired killers. The participants can go anywhere globally, but they’re relentlessly pursued.
The 2025 film promises a fresh take on the beloved book and isn’t a remake of the 1987 classic.
Chatting with Empire, Edgar shared insights into his take on The Running Man, calling it an “intense” and “dangerous” flick.
He enthused over the source material, saying: “One of the things about the book that I loved was the fact that Ben Richards is out in the world on his own, so it’s like the deadliest game of hide and seek. It does feel like making a road movie in a lot of ways: a very intense, dangerous road movie.”
The Running Man will be released in cinemas on 7 November 2025
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