First Trailer For Running Man Races Out – Popgeeks

I said last fall I was dreading the release of Edgar Wright’s remake of The Running Man because I liked the Arnold Schwarzenegger original so much, and based on past remakes of Arnie films (like Total Recall) it probably wouldn’t be nearly as fun. With the release of the first trailer I guess I have to take that back.

While Wright’s Running Man has a more grim backstory (in line with the Stephen King book), it has NOT lost the goofy sensibility, thank heavens. In a dystopian future (2025 in the book, but probably later now) the country is a wasteland ruled by a dictator. Ben Richards, our main character, is unemployed and looking for a way to get his sick daughter treatment…but the only way is to volunteer for The Running Man, America’s favorite gladiator game show.

In the Arnie movie, this show took place in an arena. In this version, the ENTIRE WORLD is an arena! Once picked to play the game, Richards has one week to survive while everyone hunts him down. If he makes it, he wins a ton of cash. Despite the circumstances he’s under, this guy’s quite a showboater, mocking the hosts on the hidden cameras every chance he gets. What’s the point of running for your life if you can’t make it a party?

Running Man stars Glen Powell, who appeared in Twisters last year, alongside Katy O’Brien (Love Lies Bleeding, The Mandalorian), Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, Michael Cera (yes, Michael Cera…Wright directed Scott Pilgrim, you know), Jayme Lawson, and William H. Macy. The script was written by Wright and Michael Bacall, who was also involved with Scott Pilgrim vs. The World as well as 21 Jump Street. It begins running November 7.