Film news: “HUNT HIM DOWN!” - Edgar Wright and Glen Powell’s ‘The Running Man’ trailer is finally here

Edgar Wright and Glen Powell’s first trailer for the long-awaited remake of Stephen King’s iconic short story The Running Man, which was first brought to the big screen in 1987, is finally out.

With Wright discussing his wishes to take the story back to its roots, as opposed to the approach taken by the Schwarzenegger-led production — fans have been excited for the new version for months now. 

Here to discuss the action-packed trailer released today, is Film News Blitz’s Joe Matthews.

The goal is simple- survive 30 days

Starting with the titular character of Ben Richards screaming down the lens “STOP FILMING ME”, Wright evidently confirmed straight away that this will be an adrenaline fuelled epic.

Powell’s character lives to survive through the 30 days ahead of him.

We are then treated to nearly three minutes of pulsating action sequences, intertwined with Coleman Domingo’s character, Bobby Thompson, presenting the show itself, inspiring onlookers to help capture or kill Richards.

We also get a sneak-peak at some of the stunt-work for the film, with Powell flying off of bridges, sliding through closing doors, and even being engaged in a gun-fight whilst suspended in an aircraft’s downward dive.

Another highlight is the one-take following-shot, where Richards finds himself being recorded by a mobile camera drone before shuffling out of the room, and then sprinting down the corridor as a mysterious villain shoots at him during his escape.

Winning the game-show is a matter of life and death for the gritty-American, and it has also been confirmed his motivation for victory comes from trying to make enough money to support the medical costs for his child.

Edgar Wright has certainly pulled out all the stops on his first film since his 2021 mystery-horror Last Night in Soho.

We, at Film News Blitz, cannot wait for its full release.

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Going back to the book

In an interview with Empire back in March, Wright said: “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.”

Another big change from Paul Michael Glaser’s adaptation will likely be to not have the runners confined to a specific playing area.

It looks like we will see Richards all over the country.

Wright added: “Ben is moving through different environments and meeting different people as he tries to survive 30 days out in the wild.”

Wright also wanted to make it clear he was aware that it would be a not-so-subtle shift in genre for Powell. 

‘Bruce Willis-like’ casting

Powell became somewhat of an icon throughout 2023 and 2024, picking up leading roles in some of the year's most anticipated Hollywood flicks such as Hit Man, Anyone But You and another remake, Twisters.

The director, whose previous works include the infamous Cornetto Trilogy of Hot Fuzz, The World’s End and Shaun of the Dead, as well as Baby Driver.

Wright compared Powell’s casting to that of Bruce Willis in Die Hard, saying: “I felt it was important to see somebody who hadn’t really done something like this before.

“It’s similar to Bruce Willis, when he was still the guy from Moonlighting, before he did Die Hard, where that adds to the suspense. Can they make it?”

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Who else is on the cast list?

Accompanying Powell is a plethora of big names. 

Coming off the back of his much-deserved Best Actor nomination at the Academy Awards for Sing Sing, Coleman Domingo is set to return to the screen as Bobby Thompson, who is the show’s presenter.

He will be working alongside Josh Brolin, who is part of the TV show’s crew, as Damon Killian. 

Other confirmed names include, Jayme Lawson, Lee Pace of the Lord of the Rings, Emilia Jones, William H. Macy and Daniel Ezra.

The trailer has certainly confirmed that The Running Man is one to look out for as Winter rolls around.

With many yet to be convinced of Powell’s credentials, it certainly is intriguing seeing how Wright’s British humour translates into a large American production.

The Running Man will sprint into cinemas on November 7.

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