Wright, known for his unique storytelling style, teamed up with Michael Bacall to co-write the screenplay. The duo previously collaborated on “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” Wright’s interest in adapting “The Running Man” dates back to his teenage years when he first read the book, which Stephen King published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. During a session at New York Comic Con, Wright expressed his early awareness that the Schwarzenegger film deviated significantly from the book, noting, “I always felt that there was a whole part of the story that hadn’t been adapted.”

While Wright’s reservations about the 1987 film are known, it remains a cherished piece of cinema for many. Its placement on Looper’s list of top cyberpunk films highlights its enduring appeal. Directed by Paul Michael Glaser, the movie achieved moderate success both critically and commercially and has since become a cult classic. Wright will indeed face a challenge to surpass its legacy.

In Wright’s interpretation, Ben Richards is reimagined as a desperate father struggling to care for his ailing daughter, contrasting with Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of an unjustly convicted officer. The stakes are also different: rather than imprisoned criminals seeking freedom, Wright’s contestants are ordinary people competing for a cash prize. Glen Powell, eager to distinguish his portrayal from Schwarzenegger’s iconic performance, sought the action star’s blessing. At New York Comic Con, Powell shared with Den of Geek his gratitude for Schwarzenegger’s support and insights into improving the film while staying true to the book.

In Edgar Wright’s version of “The Running Man,” Ben Richards is a desperate working-class father with a sick daughter rather than an innocent officer convicted for a crime he didn’t commit. In the Arnold Schwarzenegger film, the “runners” are incarcerated criminals who are trying to earn their freedom, while Wright’s film has them playing for a cash prize. Glen Powell’s version of Richards will be distinct from Schwarzenegger’s, but he still felt the need to approach Arnie after he was cast — and he was blown away by how helpful he was. “He made that character iconic, so I wanted to make sure I got his blessing,” Powell told Den of Geek at New York Comic Con. “He was so supportive of our movie. He really talked about the process of how they made that movie, how we can kind of improve, why he loved the book so much.”

Schwarzenegger clearly approves of Powell, and he’s not the only person who is happy with the casting: Stephen King himself signed off on it. Powell explained how that played out during his appearance at NYCC, revealing that Wright offered him the role with the caveat that King agreed. “I had to wait overnight for Stephen King to watch ‘Hit Man’ and hope that I still had the role in the morning,” he said (via People). “It’s terrible.” Fortunately for Powell, King loved the film, and the part was officially his. You can see him in action as Richards when “The Running Man” hits theaters on November 14, 2025. Check out Looper’s rundown video above so you know what’s what when the film drops.