New Running Man Trailer Showcases Glen Powell's Deadly Game Show Thriller

Paramount Pictures has released the second official trailer for The Running Man, Edgar Wright’s highly anticipated adaptation of Stephen King’s dystopian thriller, starring Glen Powell in the lead role. The new footage premiered today, offering fans a deeper look at the deadly televised competition that forms the backbone of this near-future nightmare[1][2][3].

A Deadly Game Show for a Desperate Father

In this reimagining of King’s classic novel, Glen Powell portrays Ben Richards, a working-class father driven to extreme measures to save his sick daughter. The premise centers on a twisted reality show where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every moment broadcast to a bloodthirsty audience. Each day survived increases the cash reward, with the ultimate prize reaching a staggering billion dollars[2][3][4].

The trailer reveals Richards’ internal conflict as he contemplates the insanity of the game: “For the next 30 days, everyone in the country is trying to murder me. That’s crazy, right?” Despite knowing that contestants rarely return alive, Richards is convinced by the show’s charming yet ruthless producer, Dan Killian (played by Josh Brolin), to enter the competition as a last resort.

From Victim to Icon

What makes this adaptation particularly compelling is how Richards transforms from a desperate participant into an unexpected fan favorite. His defiance, survival instincts, and grit resonate with viewers, turning him into a symbol of resistance against the oppressive system. As one character notes in the trailer, “You know why they cheered for you down there. If you can survive against those goons, so can they”[1][3].

The trailer showcases intense action sequences, including Richards procuring weapons, explosives, and disguises while evading both professional hunters and ordinary citizens eager to claim the bounty on his head. The stakes escalate as ratings skyrocket, making Ben not just a contestant fighting for survival, but a threat to the entire entertainment-industrial complex.

Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team

Beyond Powell and Brolin, The Running Man boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Colman Domingo, Michael Cera, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Sean Hayes, and Katy O’Brian[3]. The film is directed by Edgar Wright, known for his distinctive visual style in films like “Baby Driver” and “Shaun of the Dead,” with a screenplay co-written by Wright and Michael Bacall.

The production is helmed by Simon Kinberg, Nira Park, and Edgar Wright, with executive producers including George Linder, James Biddle, Rachael Prior, Audrey Chon, Pete Chiappetta, Anthony Tittanegro, and Andrew Lary[3].

A Timely Dystopian Vision

While based on King’s 1982 novel, the film’s themes of reality television as spectacle, economic desperation, and social control feel remarkably relevant to contemporary audiences. The premise explores how entertainment can become a tool of oppression, where the poor are forced to risk their lives for the amusement of the masses and the chance at financial security.

The Running Man arrives in theaters on November 14, 2025, promising to deliver both visceral thrills and social commentary wrapped in Edgar Wright’s signature cinematic style[3][4].

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