Stephen King has expressed approval for Edgar Wright’s upcoming remake of The Running Man, starring Glen Powell. The author described the adaptation as “faithful enough,” emphasizing his satisfaction with the project’s balance between staying true to the book and adding fresh elements.
The remake, based on King’s 1982 novel published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, will deviate from the original story’s ending. Despite this change, King seems confident in Wright’s creative direction and supports the film’s reinterpretation.
“It’s faithful enough to the book to keep the fans happy, but different enough to make it exciting for me.”
King gave Wright his blessing after being contacted by the director before the New York Comic-Con panel, expressing that he “absolutely loved it.”
While King appears enthusiastic about the new film, he was notably disappointed with the 1987 adaptation starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The earlier version, despite its cult status, did not reflect King’s creative vision or tone of the original novel.
The upcoming film promises a thrilling reinterpretation of King’s dystopian narrative, combining the director’s distinct style with the author’s approval.
Stephen King welcomed Edgar Wright’s The Running Man remake as a fresh and respectful adaptation, noting it revives his story while keeping its original spirit alive.