Edgar Wright’s reinterpretation of The Running Man has arrived in theaters, and fans are buzzing about cleverly hidden references to Arnold Schwarzenegger. These Arnold Schwarzenegger Running Man references highlight Wright’s admiration for both the 1987 film adaptation and the original novel by Stephen King, injecting fresh homage into the new film.
Honoring the 1987 Classic and Its Star
Edgar Wright has long championed the idea of adapting The Running Man. As a teenager, he became fascinated with King’s dystopian tale and later, as a filmmaker, with the Paul Michael Glaser-directed 1987 movie. Though Glaser’s version—starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Ben Richards—took significant creative liberties, it became a cult favorite, partly due to Schwarzenegger’s commanding presence and the distinct approach it took compared to the book.
Wright’s vision returns to themes and plotlines truer to Stephen King’s original, but he refuses to disregard the film that came before. Instead, his adaptation includes subtle but meaningful Easter eggs as tributes, each connecting Glen Powell’s new portrayal of Ben Richards back to Schwarzenegger’s legacy and reminding viewers of the seismic mark the original film left on pop culture.
Schwarzenegger’s Image on the Currency of the Future
The most immediately recognizable Easter egg comes in the form of currency within The Running Man’s dystopian setting. In this world, “New Dollars” have replaced the traditional American dollar, symbolizing the corporate regime’s total influence over daily life. Promotional material revealed that Schwarzenegger’s face appears on the New Dollar bills, a detail that sharp-eyed audiences may spot during Richards’ struggles.
When Ben Richards receives an advance from the show’s Network to pay for his daughter’s medical treatment, viewers catch a glimpse of the familiar Terminator actor on the currency. This playful detail generated curiosity when images circulated featuring Wright, Glen Powell, and Schwarzenegger holding an oversized New Dollar bill, but it carries yet another layer of meaning through its connection to cinematic lore.
It’s a shared joke with the Demolition Man universe. In Demolition Man, they mention President Schwarzenegger, so it’s my little shout out to both Arnie and [Demolition Man co-screenwriter] Daniel Waters.
So, while it’s never explicitly mentioned in the film, it’s very well possible that the dystopian America in The Running Man has Schwarzenegger as president. The second Easter egg, another nod to the actor, appears in the form of an intense line delivery by Powell.
A Fierce Echo of Schwarzenegger’s Famous Line
Running Man’s second Easter egg emerges in one of the adaptation’s most high-stakes confrontations. Glen Powell—taking up the role of Ben Richards—faces Dan Killian, a ruthless producer portrayed by Josh Brolin. Killian is relentless in manipulating footage of Richards’ family and manipulating contestants, all to boost the Network’s ratings and his personal standing.
In a tense exchange after Killian orchestrates threats against Richards’ wife and child, Powell’s Richards issues a chilling warning to his adversary: that he’ll be back. This particular phrase is, for film fans, an unmistakable allusion to Schwarzenegger’s iconic catchphrase from The Terminator franchise. In the original movie, Schwarzenegger’s cyborg utters “I’ll be back” before wreaking havoc on a police station, a line that has become legendary in movie history.
But the delivery and context differentiate Powell’s tribute. Where Schwarzenegger’s Terminator was cold and emotionless, Glen Powell’s Ben Richards conveys fierce anger and relentless desperation—a man driven to reckless action by corporate oppression and overwhelming obstacles. Instead of mechanically repeating the past, Powell channels the intensity of King’s original character, reshaping the famous phrase into an outcry filled with rage and determination.
Meticulous Homage, Not Just Nostalgia
Wright’s version of The Running Man stands as a testament to his respect for both source material and its cinematic history. While honoring the work of director Paul Michael Glaser and the genre-defining performance of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wright succeeds in reimagining King’s story with accuracy and heart. Viewers can appreciate two very different adaptations—the dystopian spectacle of the original 1987 film and the more faithful, nuanced vision in Wright’s film—each offering unique perspectives and emotional resonance.
Long-time fans of Edgar Wright are familiar with his penchant for embedding memorable and unexpected details into his movies. From the sly TV montage in Baby Driver to the clever in-jokes of the Cornetto Trilogy, Wright consistently delivers film experiences that reward attentive viewers.
Schwarzenegger’s cameos—whether via currency or catchphrase—are more than mere winks at the camera. They deepen the narrative, serving as clever movie trivia and subtle signifiers of how cultural touchstones are remixed and honored by new generations. The film’s attention to these roots adds energy and emotional texture, making Wright’s Running Man a layered tribute to its legacy while charting new creative ground.
With The Running Man now playing in theaters, audiences have the opportunity to spot these references firsthand and consider the ways modern adaptations balance fidelity and innovation. For fans of Schwarzenegger, King, and Wright alike, the Easter eggs serve as reminders of how stories and legends evolve, with each new iteration offering fresh details and connections to explore.
