Glen Powell, who first gained acclaim for his dynamic action performances, is now stepping into the role of Ben Richards in Edgar Wright’s highly anticipated reboot of The Running Man. The film, based on Stephen King‘s classic tale, sees Powell applying the perseverance and work ethic he developed during his time on Top Gun: Maverick, promising fans an intense and authentic cinematic experience. The focus keyword, Glen Powell The Running Man, underscores his transition to yet another demanding action hero role.
From High-Flying Pilots to Dystopian Competitors
Powell’s recent career choices have solidified his reputation as a dedicated actor unafraid to push his physical and mental limits. After facing natural disaster in Twisters and grappling with dangerous criminals in Hit Man, he is now taking on one of his most ambitious roles yet. Stepping into Ben Richards’ shoes in The Running Man, Powell embarks on a journey that will test not just his stamina, but also his ability to balance high stakes with emotional depth.
His preparation for this role, Powell reveals, stems largely from the rigorous training and filming process of Top Gun: Maverick, where he played Lieutenant Jake “Hangman” Seresin. The relentless demands of that project, flying multiple sorties a day, left Powell not only physically drained but also determined to capture the realism and grit required by such roles. His connection to fellow cast member Tom Cruise proved instrumental in this journey, and after countless hours in the cockpit, Powell even went on to earn his own pilot’s license.
“I think I did learn on Top Gun what it takes to deliver something specific for the audience. Like, riding in the back of those planes a couple times a day, you are exhausted, but what you do is you put your head down and you focus for this finite amount of time, because you know it’ll last on film forever.”
– Glen Powell, Actor
A Commitment to Authentic Storytelling
Powell’s experiences have left a lasting impact on his approach to acting, especially when it comes to action-packed narratives that require not only physicality but also emotional investment. He credits Top Gun: Maverick as his training ground for learning how to bring authenticity to intense scenes, ensuring that what the audience sees and feels on screen mirrors the effort and sacrifices made during filming.
“Even though you’re getting these little pieces, what you see is in the greater whole of the movie, what the impact is when an audience feels that the person they’re rooting for is going through a traumatic, intense thing, it translates it.”
– Glen Powell, Actor
This dedication, according to Powell, is vital for drawing in viewers and making them care about the fate of characters—especially those like Ben Richards, who must survive a deadly, televised competition in a dystopian America. As The Running Man’s lead, Powell is committed to embracing the exhaustion, danger, and psychological strain that come with the territory, endeavoring never to take shortcuts on set.
“I kept that in the back of my head, you know, the ‘film is forever’ feeling, which is, ‘do what you have to do’ – don’t take any shortcuts, so you give the audience that full experience.”
– Glen Powell, Actor
“I think I’ve taken these last few years since Top Gun [and] I’ve had the best film education I can even imagine, which is I get to work with some of the top filmmakers in the world and I’m really trying to learn and treating it like my film school.”
– Glen Powell, Actor
Edgar Wright’s Vision and Powell’s Transformation
Director Edgar Wright, known for hits like Baby Driver and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, brings his kinetic style and sharp sense of humor to The Running Man reboot. The story revolves around Ben Richards, a desperate man fighting to save his daughter by agreeing to participate in a brutal reality competition, where he must stay alive while being hunted across a dystopian America. The stakes: if Richards can avoid capture for 30 days, he earns enough to provide life-saving care for his child, but with no previous contestant managing to make it through, survival seems nearly impossible.
With Wright at the helm, the film promises a blend of high-octane action, biting humor, and unapologetic intensity, reminiscent of his previous work. Powell, channeling everything he learned from both his own “film school” with top filmmakers and his Top Gun experience, approaches this role with renewed vigor, committed to delivering an audience experience that feels as raw and real as possible.
What Makes The Running Man One to Watch
The anticipation for The Running Man reboot is building, with fans eager to see how Powell’s method acting and Edgar Wright’s direction come together on screen. The film not only builds upon Stephen King’s iconic narrative but also draws on a legacy of stylish, high-impact action cinema. Combined with a premise that pits a single, determined individual against insurmountable odds, it’s set to deliver entertainment that is both energy-packed and emotionally resonant.
For Glen Powell, The Running Man isn’t just another action role—it’s a culmination of lessons learned from playing a pilot in Top Gun: Maverick, outwitting criminals in Hit Man, and surviving catastrophe in Twisters. Audiences can expect a performance driven by determination, realism, and a deep respect for the craft. As the release draws closer, The Running Man is being positioned as one of the most thrilling action films the next year has to offer, and with Powell in the lead, the bar for authenticity and heart in blockbuster cinema may have just been raised again.
