Star Glen Powell faced a nervous wait to secure the lead role in the upcoming adaptation of The Running Man, even after director Edgar Wright offered it to him. Powell revealed that an essential final step was obtaining Glen Powell Running Man approval directly from horror master Stephen King, the original novel’s author. This unusual condition was placed on the actor, setting up an anxious and surreal overnight wait for the Hollywood star.
Wright broke the news to Powell, stating that King required a personal screening of the actor’s work before giving his blessing to the casting. Specifically, the influential author watched Powell’s 2023 action-comedy, Hit Man, to assess his suitability for the lead character, Ben Richards. Powell anxiously waited for the final verdict, unsure if his performance would satisfy the legendary writer and confirm his part.
Fortunately for the Twisters star, King gave the coveted green light after thoroughly enjoying the crime comedy film. This crucial sign-off ensures that Powell can portray Ben Richards, a working-class man forced into a deadly, televised game. The highly anticipated remake, helmed by Wright, promises to be a more faithful take on the original dystopian novel, which King penned in 1982.
Getting direct approval from an author like King is rare for Hollywood projects and underscores the novel’s significance. With both the screenplay and Powell’s casting now officially blessed by King, the stage is set for a definitive adaptation of the dystopian thriller, solidifying Glen Powell Running Man approval as an unusual and exciting piece of movie trivia.
