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If you’ve ever found yourself knee-deep in a conversation about dystopian thrillers, there’s a good chanceThe Running Manhas popped up at least once. Remember that 1987 classic starring Arnold Schwarzenegger? The man who practically defines ‘action hero’ took on crazy villains like Fireball, Dynamo, and Subzero in a blood-pumping race for survival.
Well, the original was a blast, no doubt, but let’s be real—it was more about the spectacle than the substance. That said, the new adaptation is going to be a whole different beast. Starring Glen Powell, The Running Manis getting the overhaul it deserves, ready to elevate the story to an entirely new level.
Behind the camera, we’ve got Edgar Wright—the director whose name is practically synonymous with slick, stylish thrillers; a master storyteller responsible for hits likeShaun of the Dead,Hot Fuzz, andScott Pilgrim vs. The World.
Most recently, he took us on a dizzying ride through time withLast Night in Soho, which earned two BAFTA Film Award nominations, including Outstanding British Film and Best Sound.
This proves that Wright knows how to keep an audience hooked, like a fish on a line. Ergo here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming flick, including the cast, plot, and when you’re able to catch it in theaters!
When willThe Running Manreboot release?
The Running Manis shaping up to be one of the hottest tickets of 2025, and fans are in for a little extra treat—this thriller is hitting theaters sooner than expected. Originally slated for a November 21 release, it looks like the film’s taking a shortcut to the big screen.
Paramount has pushed the date up by two weeks, now landing on July 22, 2025, according toCollider. Why the rush? Well, it’s no secret thatWicked: For Good, withAriana Grandeat the helm, is set to storm theaters, and Paramount isn’t keen on getting caught in the crossfire.
A smart move, given how much theabsolutely musicalWickedis likely to dominate the box office, leavingThe Running Manto blaze its own trail without stepping on any toes.
Jon M. Chu’sWickedwas one of the surprise juggernauts of 2024,earning$643.8 million on a budget of $150 million, and now it’s eyeing a few shiny Oscar nominations to boot. With the sequel already in the works, it’s set to continue the momentum and dominate the box office.
In light of all that, Paramount made a smart move by shifting the release date forThe Running Man—no need to take on a monster likeWickedhead-on. Let’s not forget, the originalRunning Manfilm, starringArnold Schwarzenegger, was no box-office titan, pulling in a modest $38.1 million against a budget of $27 million (viaBox Office Mojo).
While Glen Powell’s recent track record has proven that he’s a chameleon, capable of breathing life into even low-earning genres, like rom-coms (Anyone But You), taking on a box-office behemoth likeWickedwould be like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Let’s have a look at who else will be joining him in the race for survival.
Who is in the cast ofThe Running Man?
Acclaimed auteurEdgar Wrighthas cherry-picked some of the most talented actors from the film industry for his adaptation ofThe Running Man.Glen Powellwill step into the shoes of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character from the 1987 movie, Ben Richards. Powell was also the first actor to be announced as part of the cast, following his breakout role inTom Cruise’sTop Gun: Maverick.
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Powell will be reuniting with hisTwistersco-starKaty O’Brianin this upcoming sci-fi thrill ride. While details about the latter’s role are still under wraps, she’s set to play a ‘Contestant’—likely an ally to Powell’s Ben Richards in his fight for survival.
The BatmanstarJayme Lawsonwill be seen as Sheila, Ben’s wife from Stephen King’s novel.Josh Brolinwill play the big bad pulling the strings behind the scenes as the Ruthless Producer Dan Killian, much like his Mad Titan Thanos from the MCU movies.
The HobbitstarLee Pacewill bring the heat as Chief Hunter Evan McCone, leading a pack of merciless hunters hot on Ben Richards’ trail across a dangerous, unforgiving landscape.Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’s ownMichael Cerais also along for the ride, playing Bradley Throckmorton, a rebel who throws in his lot with Ben to shake up the game.
Adding further depth to this intense, high-stakes world is Emilia Jones (CODA) as Amelia Williams, an unsuspecting civilian whom Ben takes hostage to aid his daring escape. But that’s not all—joining the cast in supporting roles areKarl Glusman(The Bikeriders), Daniel Ezra (All American), David Zayas (Dexter), Sean Hayes (Will & Grace), and William H. Macy (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), creating a star-studded ensemble that promises to bring the action, tension, and twists in spades.
What isThe Running Manabout?
We learned fromDeadlinethat the new adaptation ofThe Running Manpromises to be a “much more faithful”adaptation of the 1982 novel by Stephen King, written under his pen name Richard Bachman. It was first adapted in live-action format in 1987 by Paul Michael Glaser with body-building and action legend Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead.
The upcoming 2025 flick is powered by a screenplay co-penned by Edgar Wright himself and Michael Bacall. Set in a grim and dark dystopian American society, where there is a stark contrast between the rich and poor, the public has grown increasingly numb to violent games involving human life. To provide for his family, Ben Richards enters “The Running Man”, a brutal and deadly game show where contestants are hunted to death by trained hunters and even the citizens themselves.
The goal is to survive for 30 days while being pursued across the country. The longer Ben stays alive, the more money he earns for his family.
As Ben navigates through the perilous landscape strewn with traps and killers, he encounters both friends and foes. He uses his wit and resourcefulness to outsmart the hunters and gain public support. Throughout the game, Ben exposes the corruption and cruelty of the government and the media, revealing the harsh realities of the society he lives in.
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While the 1987 film took plenty of creative liberties with Stephen King’s original novel, the 2025 version promises to stick much closer to the source material. So we can expect more blood, more action, and more gore compared to the original film, as characteristic of King’s narratives, which often explore darker aspects of the human psyche.
Here’s hopingThe Running Mannot only meets but exceeds expectations, leaving its mark as a box-office contender and a standout adaptation in its own right.
The Running Manis set to release in theaters on June 20, 2025.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’sThe Running Manis currently streaming on Paramount+ With Showtime.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
