Stephen King has praised Edgar Wright’s upcoming remake of The Running Man, starring Glen Powell, calling it “faithful enough,” while again expressing disappointment in the 1987 version featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The new film, based on King’s 1982 novel published under his pseudonym Richard Bachman, will include a reimagined ending. Despite the deviation, King expressed strong approval for Wright’s creative choices.
“It’s faithful enough to the book to keep the fans happy, but different enough to make it exciting for me.”
According to Wright, he reached out to King by email before the film’s New York Comic-Con panel to obtain the author’s thoughts. King responded enthusiastically, giving Wright his full support and confirming he loved the new vision for the film.
While King is excited about Wright and Powell’s interpretation, his views on the 1987 adaptation remain negative. The author, who has seen many of his works adapted across film and television, admitted that the earlier version left him dissatisfied.
With King’s approval and Wright’s distinctive storytelling, audiences can expect a bold and engaging retelling of a sci-fi classic.
Author’s summary: Stephen King appreciates Edgar Wright’s remake of The Running Man for its balance of loyalty and innovation, foreseeing a captivating new take on his iconic dystopian story.