Edgar Wright’s The Running Man Set for November Release Amid Streaming Changes

LOS ANGELES, CA — Edgar Wright‘s highly anticipated adaptation of Stephen King‘s novel, The Running Man, will hit theaters on November 14, 2025. This film, starring Glen Powell, comes as Netflix announced it would remove the original 1987 film from its platform on November 1, creating frustration among fans who wanted to revisit it before the new release.

The original film, featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Ben Richards, transformed King’s dystopian story into an action-packed spectacle. It portrays a future where desperate individuals compete in deadly televised games for survival. Despite mixed reviews at its release, the film has developed a dedicated following over the years, with a 65% score from critics and a 61% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.

In a recent interview, Glen Powell shared that Schwarzenegger had expressed excitement about the new adaptation. Powell confirmed that, during discussions about the film, Schwarzenegger remarked, ‘It’s incredible.’ He emphasized the physical demands of the film, stating that the iconic actor understood the effort required for such intense action sequences.

Wright’s take on The Running Man aims to restore the original’s darker elements. According to early reviews, the film will focus on the themes of media manipulation and societal obsession with violence, which resonate today. Powell, who plays the lead role, described his interpretation of Ben Richards as more of an ‘everyman,’ distinct from Schwarzenegger’s iconic portrayal.

Wright and Powell are also including nods to the original, with a few Easter eggs, including the famous line, ‘I’ll be back.’ Powell revealed that he delivers the line differently than Schwarzenegger did. He hopes this adaptation will capture both the thrilling action and the socio-political commentary of King’s book.

The film features an impressive supporting cast, including Josh Brolin and Colman Domingo. With King adapting more of his works for film this year, The Running Man stands out among other adaptations like The Life of Chuck and The Long Walk. The upcoming release is generating excitement as fans look forward to both the new interpretation and the possibility of seeing the original through rental services after its Netflix removal.