Arnold Schwarzenegger Finally Gives His Verdict on Glen Powell’s The Running Man — Does It Top the Original?

Arnold Schwarzenegger has seen Glen Powell's new take on The Running Man, and the original Ben Richards did not hold back. Short version: he loved it, and he thinks this is the one that finally nails Stephen King's book.

Schwarzenegger's verdict: finally faithful, and seriously painful

Powell told ScreenRant he screened the film for Schwarzenegger, who was all-in on two fronts. First, he kept pointing out how closely this adaptation sticks to King's vision — as in, the most accurate screen version yet. Second, he zeroed in on the physical beating Powell takes on screen and immediately clocked how rough the shoot must have been. Coming from a guy who spent decades getting launched through plate glass, that lands.

Powell's body vs. the stunt team (and gravity)

Powell, 37, did not pretend this was a cushy job. He says the shoot was one of the hardest of his career: lots of hits, lots of getting tossed around, lots of icing after work. He gets why audiences assume padding and safety rigs make it painless, but even with the gear, you still feel those impacts. Schwarzenegger, who has lived that life, respected the grind — and Powell appreciated that he noticed.

How Powell got the job: King had to sign off

Here’s a fun wrinkle: Edgar Wright offered Powell the lead, then told him there was one more hurdle — Stephen King had to approve the casting. Powell told a New York Comic Con crowd (via People) that King watched Hit Man overnight to make the call. Powell spent that night sweating it out, woke up to a green light from King, and kept the role. Simple, clean, mildly nerve-shredding.

Wright's stamp and what the story actually is

Powell also gave credit to Wright for bringing his particular filmmaking brain to the movie. As for the story, this version centers on Powell as Ben Richards, a man forced to stay alive for 30 days while professional killers come after him, every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty audience, with the cash prize ticking up as the days pass. If you know King, you know the point isn't subtle.

Stephen King on X, after seeing the finished film: 'A fantastic Die Hard for our time' and a 'bipartisan thrill ride.'

What to know

• Title: The Running Man
• Director: Edgar Wright
• Cast: Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin
• Runtime: 2h 13m
• U.S. release date: November 14, 2025

Between Schwarzenegger calling it the most faithful adaptation yet and King publicly cheering it on, this thing is walking into theaters with receipts. Now it just has to live up to the noise.