At New York Comic Con, director Edgar Wright revealed that the upcoming Stephen King The Running Man adaptation includes a subtle tribute to Arnold Schwarzenegger. The new film, set to premiere next month, contains an Easter egg referencing Schwarzenegger’s iconic role as Ben Richards in the 1987 version, which is being acknowledged through creative visuals within the movie.
During the film’s panel at New York Comic Con, Wright shared that Schwarzenegger’s face appears on every $100 bill depicted in the movie, creating a nod to the actor’s starring role in the original adaptation directed by Paul Michael Glasser. The production team reached out to Schwarzenegger for approval, and he responded positively, expressing approval of the idea and the choice of the $100 bill as a fitting tribute.
The 1987 adaptation of Stephen King The Running Man was released when Schwarzenegger was at the peak of his Hollywood career, with major hits like The Terminator, Commando, and Predator enhancing his status. Although the earlier film did not achieve blockbuster success, it has since gained a lasting cult following.
In the new film directed by Edgar Wright, Glen Powell takes on the role of Ben Richards while the cast also features Josh Brolin as Dan Killian, Colman Domingo, Lee Pace as Evan McCone, Emilia Jones, Michael Cera, and William H. Macy. While fans had suggested a Schwarzenegger cameo, Wright indicated during the panel that the actor’s presence would be limited to the Easter egg on the currency.
This subtle reference ties the new adaptation back to the original while honoring Schwarzenegger’s contribution to the franchise. As anticipation builds for the film’s release, viewers can expect to spot this unique detail among other story elements. More updates about the movie and its cast are expected to follow.
