Stephen King has shared his enthusiastic approval of the upcoming adaptation of The Running Man, directed by Edgar Wright and starring Glen Powell. This new film, set for release on November 14, revisits King’s 1982 novel originally published under the pen name Richard Bachman, which had previously been adapted into a 1987 movie featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger. King’s positive reaction to the remake brings renewed attention to this fresh take on his work.
Director Edgar Wright Shares King’s Praise During Film Promotion
During a recent interview with Variety, Edgar Wright confirmed that he reached out to Stephen King for feedback on the new film. King responded via email with a simple yet powerful endorsement: “Like it? I love it!” This statement was shared at a promotional panel ahead of the movie’s wide release. King further elaborated that the 2025 adaptation is
faithful enough to the book to keep the fans happy, but different enough to make it exciting for me.
His words suggest the film strikes a balance between honoring the source material and introducing fresh elements.
King’s History With Adaptations Adds Weight to His Opinion
Stephen King’s approval carries particular significance given his well-known critical stance on some past adaptations. Although Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 version of The Shining remains widely acclaimed, King himself was often critical of its departure from his novel’s plot and tone. Conversely, he has praised adaptations that take creative liberties, provided they maintain the right atmosphere. For example, King told Yahoo! Entertainment in 2017 that the 2007 adaptation of The Mist, which featured a much darker ending, was something he supported, saying
it was nihilistic. I liked that. So I said you go ahead and do it.
Faithfulness and Innovation Blend in the 2025 Film
The new Running Man appears to follow this pattern, respecting the essence of King’s original story while offering a unique interpretation. This duality positions the remake as more faithful to the novel than the 1987 Schwarzenegger film, which diverged significantly in plot and tone. King’s endorsement implies the film will satisfy longtime fans by preserving key elements of the book while providing enough novelty to engage a new audience.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Glen Powell Share Positive Remarks
Adding to the positive momentum surrounding the film, Glen Powell recently revealed in an interview with ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan that Arnold Schwarzenegger himself described the new version as incredible. This praise from the star of the original adaptation further raises expectations and highlights the remake’s potential to resonate with both critics and viewers.
Early Reactions Signal Potential Critical and Commercial Success
The film’s initial reviews, gathered on social media following early screenings on November 5, have largely been positive despite the absence of official Tomatometer and Popcornmeter scores on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics’ reactions suggesting that The Running Man lives up to the hype indicate the movie might become a considerable critical success, echoing King’s glowing comments.
Impact on Cast and Future Prospects
If the film attracts the anticipated audience response, it could mark a significant milestone in Glen Powell’s career, who has already experienced success with projects like Anyone But You and Twisters. Additionally, the renewed interest in The Running Man could strengthen Edgar Wright’s reputation as a director capable of delivering compelling adaptations that satisfy fans and new audiences alike.
Principal Cast of the 2025 The Running Man
The new adaptation features Glen Powell as Ben Richards, Josh Brolin in the role of Dan Killian, Jayme Lawson portraying Sheila Richards, and Lee Pace as Evan McCone. Together, this ensemble supports the film’s effort to bring depth and dynamism to King’s story, potentially attracting a broad audience when the movie debuts.
