Stephen King’s Long-Awaited Dystopian Action Remake Gets “Timely” Tease From Director & Star

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With the upcoming release of the new film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Running Man, director Edgar Wright and actor Glen Powell have been discussing the story and its relevance to today’s world. The novel, The Running Man, is set in a future where reality TV dominates, and the most popular show is a brutal competition where contestants fight to survive. Ben Richards, one of the competitors, is forced to participate due to financial difficulties. He has to endure 30 days of challenges and danger for a chance to win a billion dollars.

The creators of *The Running Man* recently discussed with *Den of Geek* how Stephen King’s original story surprisingly predicted today’s television environment. Published in 1982, the novel is set in a 2025 dystopian America ruled by a controlling government that keeps people occupied with excessively violent shows. Powell, one of the creators, noted how both the book and the recent adaptation feel surprisingly relevant to current events.

Since we finished filming, the movie has become increasingly relevant. It’s amazing how accurately Stephen King predicted the future, specifically 2025 – the year we’re currently in. It’s unsettling to see how closely our current reality mirrors the events depicted in his book.

This movie is pure entertainment – a fun, exciting experience that audiences will love. But it’s also interesting because it features a fictionalized version of Stephen King with psychic abilities, and that element allows the film to subtly comment on current events.

Wright agreed with Powell, noting the book feels like a disturbingly accurate prediction of the current state of things. He found this particularly unsettling, as the story presents its ideas very directly. Wright was pleased with how this translated to the film, making it feel grounded and realistic, which adds to its disturbing effect. He also drew a connection between the book’s depiction of entertainment and the sensationalism found in real-life tabloid television.

Even when this book was originally written, similar kinds of reality television existed. However, there’s now so much more of it on TV. Plus, viewers are much more aware of how reality shows are made – how they manipulate people and the damage they can do. Shows like Jerry Springer, Sally Jesse Raphael, American Idol, and X Factor often disregard the well-being and mental health of their contestants. Numerous stories about the negative consequences of these shows highlight the book’s relevance and its unsettling accuracy.

When Will Stephen King’s ‘The Running Man’ Be Released?


Paramount Pictures

The cast of The Running Man features Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, Michael Cera, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin. Read the official plot synopsis:

Set in the not-so-distant future, “The Running Man” is the most popular show on TV—a brutal contest where participants, called Runners, try to survive for 30 days while being hunted by skilled killers. Every second of the chase is broadcast live to a huge, eager audience, and the reward increases with each passing day. Ben Richards, a working-class man desperate to get help for his ailing daughter, is persuaded by the show’s smooth but heartless producer, Dan Killian, to join as a final hope. But Ben’s courage, natural skill, and determination unexpectedly make him a favorite among viewers—and a problem for the show’s creators. As the show’s ratings climb, the danger intensifies, and Ben must not only evade the Hunters, but also a country obsessed with watching his potential downfall.

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2025-10-13 22:33