THE RUNNING MAN Is Back – First Look at Edgar Wright’s Dystopian Thriller
Paramount Pictures Presents
In Association with Domain Entertainment
A Kinberg Genre / Complete Fiction Production
An Edgar Wright Film — THE RUNNING MAN“*
By Marke Saturday Morning Cereal Blog
We just got our first look at Edgar Wright’s The Running Man remake, and honestly… it hits. The trailer just dropped, and we’ve got it in full HD over on our resurrected YouTube Channel – check it out here. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the original or just discovering the story for the first time, this one looks like it could have something to say.
Personal Note: Why This One Matters
I grew up on The Running Man. The 1987 version with Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of the most rewatched VHS tapes in my house—equal parts over-the-top action and eerie dystopia. It painted a future so outrageous you thought, “That could never happen.” Then, somewhere along the way… it kind of did.
A game show host president. A culture increasingly addicted to spectacle. People’s pain and struggle broadcast for ratings. Sound familiar?
So yeah, The Running Man remake doesn’t feel nostalgic—it feels necessary.
And I hope. I hope this one doesn’t fizzle out like the RoboCop reboot. I hope it honors the source material—not just the Arnie version, but also the Stephen King novel it all sprang from. I hope it speaks to this moment in time. Because there’s a lot of commentary baked into this story: about media, capitalism, exploitation, and survival. And we’re in a perfect place to reflect on it all.
Official Synopsis (from Paramount)
In a near-future society, The Running Man is the top-rated show on television—a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort. But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger…
Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Shaun of the Dead) is in the director’s chair, with a cast that includes Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, William H. Macy, and even Michael Cera. Written by Wright and Michael Bacall (21 Jump Street), this one’s not just aiming for action—it’s got teeth.
Let’s Work Out Our Demons… at the Movies
The Running Man always had something deeper under the blood and neon: a world numbed by media, hungry for violence, and all too ready to watch someone fall just to feel something. Sound familiar?
This remake has a chance to tap into those same themes—but from a very modern vantage point.
So let’s hope it’s as good as this trailer looks. Let’s hope it’s more than just action nostalgia. Let’s hope it kicks ass andkicks our brains into gear.
Either way, I’ll be there opening night.
Popcorn in one hand, existential dread in the other.
And if you’re into breaking down these kinds of cinematic fever dreams, don’t miss our upcoming coverage on Saturday Morning Cereal—our podcast dedicated to geek culture past and present. We’ll be diving deep into The Running Man remake with commentary, cast interviews, and more, plus all the summer blockbusters you grew up with (and some you didn’t).
Catch Saturday Morning Cereal on Spreaker.com and wherever you get your pods!
Watch the full HD trailer now on our YouTube Channel and let us know your thoughts in the comments. Are you ready to run?
