Imagine a world where Hollywood's larger-than-life action heroes are a thing of the past—until someone like Glen Powell steps up to revive that magic in a fresh take on Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic The Running Man. It's the kind of news that gets fans buzzing with excitement, right?
In the glitzy world of Los Angeles entertainment, there's a common lament: true movie stars just aren't being made anymore. That's why casting the square-jawed, charisma-packed Texan Glen Powell in the lead role of the rebooted 1987 dystopian thriller The Running Man has everyone talking. But Powell, who's known for his polite Southern manners and who wisely traded the LA hustle for a quieter life back in Austin as his star rose, isn't buying into the hype.
At 37, this talented American actor humbly brushes off any notions of being a standout. 'I don't see myself as anything extraordinary,' he shares in a candid chat. He points out that stacking his style against the golden age of action icons like Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, or Mel Gibson is like comparing totally different fruits—you know, apples to oranges. Those old-school heroes were often portrayed as unbreakable forces: battle-hardened soldiers, tough-as-nails cops, or elite combatants who dominated the screen with raw power.
Powell's character in this new version, Ben Richards, couldn't be more different—he's your average guy, armed only with a gritty resilience and a temper that flares up quickly. No superhuman abilities here; he's just an ordinary fellow thrust into chaos. The story kicks off when Ben, out of desperation, joins a brutal game show where contestants are hunted down by the whole world for sport. His goal? Endure the onslaught long enough to claim a massive cash prize and afford critical medication for his sick daughter. Joining Powell on screen are heavy hitters like Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, and the hilarious Michael Cera, adding layers of tension and dark humor to the mix.
But here's where it gets controversial: Powell has always seen himself as the classic underdog, and he loves stories about everyday folks facing impossible challenges. 'Ben is as regular as they come,' he explains, drawing parallels to real-life tales of resilience that inspire us all. For beginners dipping into dystopian films, think of it like a high-stakes reality show gone wrong, where survival isn't just entertainment—it's life or death.
In the movie, we watch Powell's Ben get pummeled, tossed off a bridge in an explosive sequence, and even rappel down a skyscraper wearing nothing but a towel to dodge a gang of thugs. It's gritty, physical stuff that demands real commitment from the actor. Just the night before our interview, Powell and the film's director, Edgar Wright—famous for stylish hits like Last Night in Soho (2022) and the adrenaline-fueled Baby Driver (2017)—hosted a private screening for the legend himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The 78-year-old bodybuilding-turned-actor icon reacted with a mix of sympathy and admiration. 'He looked at me and said, "Man, that must've been painful for you,"' Powell recalls with a chuckle. And this is the part most people miss: Schwarzenegger, who's no stranger to the grueling demands of action flicks—from the stunts in Terminator to the chases in Commando—gave his seal of approval. 'Getting that nod from him felt incredibly badass,' Powell adds, highlighting how mentors like Arnie pave the way for newcomers.
This reboot stays truer to Stephen King's chilling 1982 novel, The Running Man (written under his Richard Bachman pseudonym), than the original 1987 adaptation did. For those new to King's work, his stories often blend horror with social commentary, warning about societal breakdowns. Here, Ben is chased across cities by elite assassins, while the show's sleazy producers manipulate every twist for skyrocketing TV viewership—think reality TV on steroids, but with deadly consequences.
King's book, eerily prophetic, unfolds in a fictional 2025 America plagued by authoritarian leaders sowing division, manipulated deepfake media, and a broken healthcare system that pushes normal people to desperate acts. Sound familiar? In today's world, with social media amplifying chaos, it's hard not to draw parallels.
Was it tough for Powell to buy into the idea of modern audiences lapping up staged violence and AI-generated carnage on their phones? 'We're deep in this TikTok era,' he reflects thoughtfully. 'We scroll through scenes of destruction, but it's all so detached—like watching from afar without feeling the human cost.' To clarify for newcomers, deepfakes are those scary AI videos that make it look like anyone said or did something they didn't, blurring the line between truth and fiction in ways that could fool anyone at first glance.
Powell admits he's bombarded with these fake clips from fans or online trolls who don't bother checking if they're real. 'The film dives right into that fun, twisted territory,' he says. 'It makes you question: Where's your news coming from? Who's pulling the strings on what we see?' And here's a subtle counterpoint that might ruffle feathers—while the movie critiques this media madness, could it ironically glamorize it for entertainment? Food for thought.
Despite years in the industry, Powell's big break came playing the arrogant pilot Hangman in the blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick (2022), which reignited his career like a rocket launch. Since then, he's been on a hot streak: romancing Sydney Sweeney in the cheeky rom-com Anyone But You (2023), battling massive tornadoes in the thrilling disaster movie Twisters (2024), and even co-writing and leading the clever crime-comedy Hit Man (2023), where he plays a fake hitman who gets too real.
Looking ahead, Powell's gearing up to headline a magical new fantasy project from J.J. Abrams, the mind behind the mysterious TV series Lost (2004-2010). On top of acting, his own production company has inked a deal with Universal Pictures, letting him shape stories from behind the camera too. This do-it-yourself approach echoes Sylvester Stallone's legendary path—writing and starring in Rocky (1976) when no one else would give him a shot, turning it into an Oscar-winning underdog story.
'I never wanted to sit around waiting for opportunities to knock,' Powell says with that easygoing Texas drawl. 'I learned early that the best gigs don't just call you—you have to chase them.' He describes navigating Hollywood as taming the Wild West: unpredictable, full of risks, but ripe for bold moves. 'I'm all about pushing forward, not dwelling on what's behind.'
So, what do you think—can Glen Powell fill Schwarzenegger's massive shoes, or is this reboot diluting the action-hero formula we loved? Does the film's take on fake news and deadly games hit too close to home in 2025? Drop your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you're team underdog or craving more indestructible Arnie vibes! AFP
