As 2025 unfolds, Stephen King enthusiasts have much anticipation with four movies and two TV shows based on his work expected this year. Among these, Glen Powell‘s involvement in the upcoming film adaptation of King’s story has generated significant excitement, positioning the actor as a key figure who could elevate the appeal of King’s cinematic projects.
The initial three films released this year—The Monkey, The Life of Chuck, and The Long Walk—have been well-received by critics and viewers but have struggled to translate that goodwill into major box office success. While The Monkey earned $68 million globally on a modest $10 million budget, others like The Life of Chuck underperformed, bringing in only $19 million worldwide. The Long Walk’s $54 million gross just about covered its $20 million production costs.
Strong Expectations for Glen Powell’s Role in The Running Man
The final Stephen King film scheduled for this year, The Running Man, stars Glen Powell as Ben Richards, a role famously portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987. Directed by Edgar Wright, known for Baby Driver, the film has attracted considerable attention, in part due to Paramount’s effective marketing campaign that has showcased compelling trailers.
In addition to his promotional efforts while touring for Chad Powers season 1, Powell is increasing the profile of The Running Man, keeping projections favorable amidst a competitive film landscape. Early forecasts suggest the film could open to around $23 million domestically, with estimates ranging between $19 million and $28 million, potentially marking the strongest opening weekend for a Stephen King movie since 2019’s Pet Sematary.
While critical reviews have yet to form a consensus, a positive reception could push these estimates even higher. Box Office Pro offered more optimistic predictions earlier this month, mentioning that The Running Man could achieve between $40 million and $50 million during its initial weekend, a level historically challenging to reach, especially with direct competition like Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.
Such a strong debut would surpass the original film’s total theatrical gross of $38 million, placing The Running Man among Stephen King’s most financially successful adaptations to date—a feat that many attribute directly to Glen Powell’s rising star power.
Why Glen Powell Is Poised to Drive The Running Man’s Success
At 36 years old, Glen Powell has experienced a notable rise in his Hollywood profile, achieving breakout status in 2022 with Top Gun: Maverick. Playing Hangman alongside Tom Cruise and Miles Teller, Powell was widely praised, and the film’s $1.4 billion box office haul introduced him as a charismatic leading man capable of drawing massive audiences.
Following this, Powell expanded his range by starring with Sydney Sweeney in the rom-com Anyone But You, which exceeded expectations with strong box office legs and a $220 million global gross. His appeal now spans genres, bridging romantic comedy and high-octane action.
In 2024, Powell continued this successful streak with Twisters, a franchise revival that stunned with an $81 million opening weekend and a final tally of $372 million—exceeding projections by a large margin. Alongside the favorable response to Hit Man, these achievements have made Powell a sought-after actor.
Powell’s busy involvement this year—including The Running Man—reflects industry confidence that his name and screen presence can attract audiences. While the marketing push for The Running Man has not yet reached the viral level seen in his earlier films, the ongoing box office track record surrounding Powell has generated noteworthy optimism.
He is arguably the central reason some moviegoers will prioritize The Running Man. Should the film achieve turnout similar to Anyone But You or Twisters, it would cement Glen Powell’s status as a modern A-list star and establish this Stephen King adaptation as a major hit.
Principal Cast of The Running Man
- Glen Powell as Ben Richards
- Josh Brolin as Dan Killian
- Jayme Lawson as Sheila Richards
- Lee Pace as Evan McCone
