Why Edgar Wright’s dystopian thriller ‘The Running Man’ could be the perfect post-summer blockbuster for theaters
Action has long been the favorite genre of the region, and summer 2025 has been a banner season for action cinema. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning delivered Tom Cruise’s signature thrills to critical acclaim, earning $576 million worldwide, while F1 raced past $293 million globally in its opening weeks. But as the summer winds down, theaters are already eyeing the next big draw—and Edgar Wright’s The Running Man is generating serious buzz as a potential game-changer.
The Running Man has quite the pedigree. Originally published in 1982 under Stephen King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman, the novel painted a dark vision of 2025 America—a polluted, totalitarian society where desperate citizens compete in deadly game shows for survival. The story’s first Hollywood adaptation came in 1987 with Arnold Schwarzenegger, but it took considerable liberties with King’s source material, transforming a gritty thriller into campy ’80s action entertainment.
Now, nearly four decades later, Wright is bringing the story back to screens with a fresh approach. Rather than remaking the Schwarzenegger film, Wright and co-writer Michael Bacall are returning to King’s original novel for inspiration—and the timing couldn’t be more perfect, given that the book’s fictional 2025 setting is essentially our present day!
Glen Powell leads the cast as Ben Richards, the everyman forced into the deadly competition. Powell’s rising star power—from scene-stealing moments in Top Gun: Maverick to his growing action credentials—makes him an ideal choice for this high-stakes role. Schwarzenegger himself has given his blessing to Powell’s casting, passing the torch to the next generation.
The supporting cast reads like a who’s who of contemporary talent. Colman Domingo takes on the charismatic game show host role, bringing his dramatic gravitas to what promises to be a deliciously villainous performance. Josh Brolin anchors the film as the ruthless producer orchestrating the deadly spectacle, while Lee Pace commands attention as one of the pursuing “Hunters.”
What makes this casting particularly exciting is the range of talent involved. From comedy veterans like Michael Cera and William H. Macy to rising stars like Emilia Jones and Jayme Lawson, the ensemble promises the kind of chemistry that elevates action films from mere spectacle to memorable entertainment.
Edgar Wright brings his signature blend of kinetic action and dark comedy to the project. Known for films like Baby Driver and the Cornetto Trilogy, Wright has described The Running Man as a “dystopian black comedy action film”—a tonal balance that promises both thrills and satirical bite.
This version expands the game’s scope beyond the confined arena of the 1987 film. True to King’s novel, the entire world becomes the hunting ground, with our protagonist evading capture across a global landscape where anyone could turn him in for a reward. It’s a premise that amplifies both the action possibilities and the social commentary inherent in the story.
The film’s first trailer, released in July 2025, generated immediate excitement across social media platforms. The nearly three-minute preview showcased Wright’s stylish approach while maintaining the story’s darker themes. Explosive city blocks erupting in flames, slick hand-to-hand combat sequences, and Wright’s trademark quick-cut editing style created a visual feast that had fans dissecting every frame. The trailer’s blend of neon-soaked dystopian imagery and Powell’s surprisingly lighthearted quips struck exactly the right tone.
Industry observers noted the trailer’s effective blend of explosive action sequences and Wright’s characteristic wit. The tagline “Millions hunt. One runs. Everyone watches” perfectly captures both the story’s survival thriller elements and its media satire—themes that resonate strongly in our current entertainment landscape.
All this excitement translates into serious business potential for exhibitors. Paramount Pictures is betting big on the project, strategically timing the November 6, 2025 release to secure optimal IMAX positioning without direct competition from other major action tentpoles. With established IP, a proven director, and strong cast, it has the essential ingredients to become a must-see theatrical event.
It’s neither a sequel nor a superhero story, but rather a fresh take on established material with contemporary relevance. The Running Man offers the kind of original-yet-familiar entertainment that drives audience excitement.
The combination of Wright’s proven track record, Powell’s rising star power, and the story’s timely themes creates a compelling package for exhibitors. In an era where theatrical experiences need to offer something special, The Running Man promises the kind of kinetic, visually spectacular entertainment that belongs on the big screen.
With its November release approaching, this could be the post-summer action hit that keeps theaters buzzing well into the awards season. For cinema advertising, that’s the kind of sustained audience engagement that makes a film truly valuable—not just a weekend winner, but a genuine cultural moment worth experiencing in theaters.
The CinemaCon 2024, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) in the US, wrapped up successfully after four days brimming with thrilling announcements, captivating presentations, dynamic demonstrations, and insightful discussions. Hosted at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, this event provided an unparalleled platform for industry leaders to convene and delve into the ever-changing landscape of cinema.
Movie enthusiasts are buzzing with excitement over the forthcoming slate of movie announcements from industry giants such as Disney, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Universal & Focus Features, and Paramount, all featuring a surprising array of star power during their presentations.
While some studios chose a more reserved approach, others went all out, unveiling explosive action sequences, beloved characters, and intriguing new projects. Here’s a glimpse at some of the hottest trailers and announcements that have us eagerly anticipating a trip to the cinema:
Walt Disney Studios kicked off their presentation at CinemaCon 2024 with a captivating 13-minute exclusive footage reel from Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, showcasing the film’s expansive and visually stunning world. This was followed by an exciting 9-minute preview of Deadpool & Wolverine and an extended 35-minute sneak peek of Pixar’s highly anticipated Inside Out 2. Attendees were also treated to two exclusive clips from Fede Álvarez’s upcoming film, Alien: Romulus.
In addition to these sneak peeks of previously announced tentpole films, Disney Studios unveiled a lineup of top titles slated for release from late 2024 to early 2025. Among these announcements are Moana 2 set to debut on November 26, 2024, Mufasa: The Lion King premiering on December 19, 2024, and Captain America: Brave New World hitting theaters on February 13, 2025.
Warner Bros. electrified CinemaCon 2024 with an extended sneak peek at Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, setting the stage for an epic cinematic experience. Following this, the panel reached its pinnacle with the debut of the highly anticipated first official trailer for Joker 2: Folie à Deux. As expected, the film promises to delve deep into the toxic yet captivating relationship between Arthur and Harley, interspersed with dreamy dance and song sequences.
The audience was also treated to further revelations, including insights into Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, set to premiere on September 5,2024, and The Watchers, directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan and releasing on June 13, 2024. Additionally, attendees were thrilled by the unveiling of the first trailer for Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi adventure Mickey 17, starring Robert Pattinson, slated to hit theaters on January 30, 2025.
Lionsgate made waves at CinemaCon this year with a plethora of exciting announcements. Among them was the confirmation of the sequel Now You See Me 3, featuring the original cast, and a thrilling remake of the horror classic The Blair Witch Project, helmed by Jason Blum. Additionally, they unveiled plans for a live-action adaptation of ‘Naruto’, a film based on the classic board game ‘Monopoly’, and an adaptation of the beloved video game ‘The Sims’.
The presentation also provided a sneak peek into this year’s upcoming blockbusters, including The Crow, Borderlands, The Strangers: Chapter 1, and Never Let Go.
Looking ahead to the first half of the 2025 slate, Lionsgate teased audiences with Guy Ritchie’s next film, In the Grey, slated for release on January 16, 2025. The film stars Henry Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal as two extraction specialists tasked with rescuing a negotiator from a perilous situation. Also on the horizon are John Wick Presents: Ballerina, hitting theaters on June 5, 2025, and the eagerly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic Michael, scheduled for release on April 16, 2025.
Universal made a splash at CinemaCon with several exciting announcements. They revealed that the sequel to Five Nights at Freddy’s is set for release in fall 2025, following the mixed yet highly successful reception of the first installment, which grossed nearly 300 million dollars worldwide. This success naturally paves the way for the studio to expand on this franchise.
Furthermore, Universal showcased new projects such as Despicable Me 4, The Wolf Man, the disaster film Twisters, and Wicked, featuring Ariana Grande. The audience was also treated to a glimpse of Robert Egger’s adaptation of Nosferatu, which left a lasting impression with its initial images. Additionally, attendees were captivated by the debut trailer for the remake Speak No Evil, starring James McAvoy.
Paramount Pictures started with a major announcement: a crossover event featuring Transformers meeting G.I. Joe in an upcoming film. Additionally, the audience was treated to the first trailer for Transformers One.
The studio also unveiled plans for two new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 and an R-rated live-action adaptation titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin. A new ‘Star Trek’ film is on the horizon for release next year, and Glen Powell is set to star in Edgar Wright’s remake of ‘The Running Man.’ Additionally, fans can anticipate a new installment in the ‘Scary Movie’ franchise currently in development. A final trailer for IF starring Ryan Reynolds was also showcased.
Fans of the blue hedgehog were delighted with the unveiling of the first teaser trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 during the event. However, the teaser for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2, featuring Paul Mescal facing off against attacking wildlife like a rhino and vicious baboons, along with Pedro Pascal, was exclusively presented at the colosseum stage in Caesars Palace, according to Variety.
Sources: Rotten Tomatoes, Kino Check, discussingfilm.com, Variety
