Edgar Wright, director of the Stephen King adaptation The Running Man, shared an exclusive insight about a subtle Easter egg involving actor Josh Brolin and his family.
Josh Brolin plays the villain Dan Killian in the film. Wright unveiled that Josh's father, James Brolin, also appears in The Running Man, though in a unique way.
"Josh Brolin is not the only Brolin in this movie. By complete coincidence, his dad is in it as well."
The elder Brolin’s presence comes from a clip of the old film Skyjacked, where James portrayed the hijacker. This footage was incorporated into The Running Man before Josh was cast.
Wright explained the timeline: the clip was cleared for use prior to Josh Brolin’s casting. Once Josh joined the project, Wright connected the dots and included the family nod:
"So we wrote that in. We got the clip cleared — and this was all before Josh Brolin was cast as Killian. And then when Josh Brolin was cast, I suddenly said to him, ‘Hey, your dad’s in the movie too,’ because James Brolin plays the hijacker in Skyjacked."
This Easter egg reflects a clever and meaningful connection woven by Wright, celebrating the Brolin family's involvement while adding depth to the film.
Author’s note: Edgar Wright's inclusion of both Josh and James Brolin adds a thoughtful layer of tribute to The Running Man, linking generations through film history.