Glen Powell now has an enemy to face in Edgar Wright’s new take on The Running Man! Deadline reports Josh Brolin has landed the villain role in the film, a reimagining of Stephen King’s dystopian sci-fi novel that became a 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger action classic.
Brolin’s role is that of “the antagonist behind the violent reality show”, which could lead some to believe he’s playing Damon Killian, the game show host role made famous by The Family Feud’s Richard Dawson. But Justin Kroll clarified that Brolin is in final talks to play a producer of the deadly game show…
For those wondering, Brolin playing producer not Richard Dawson role, that is still open https://t.co/K5NMI2i2gg
— Justin Kroll (@krolljvar) October 17, 2024
Also joining Brolin in the cast is Jayme Lawson, known best for her role as Mayor Bella Real in both The Batman and The Penguin. Karl Glusman, Katy O’Brian and Daniel Ezra are already on board.
The Running Man is based on the Stephen King novel penned under his Richard Bachman pseudonym. Wright co-wrote the script with Michael Bacall. Powell takes on the role of Ben Richards, a part made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1987 action classic. Wright’s film will be more faithful to the book, which takes the action to a global level. The story takes place in a dystopian future where the economy is in ruins, and people compete in deadly reality competition shows to win money. Richards enters the contest to win money to save his sick daughter, but can only win if he survives a night against the Hunters, an elite pack of hitmen sent to kill him.
Brolin can be seen right now in the Prime Video action-comedy Brothers alongside Peter Dinklage. Coming up he has Rian Johnson’s Knives Out sequel, Wake Up Dead Man, followed by Weapons, the next film from Barbarian director Zach Cregger.
The Running Man hits theaters November 21st 2025.
