Horror legend Stephen King has shared high praise for director Edgar Wright’s upcoming adaptation of his 1980s dystopian sci-fi novel The Running Man and his reaction has fans buzzing.
Taking to Twitter, King revealed that he has already seen the film, writing: “By the way: I’ve seen it and it’s fantastic.” The author went on to describe Wright’s take as “Die Hard for our time” and “a bipartisan thrill ride.”
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New trailer: RUNNING MAN.
BTW: I've seen it and it's fantastic. DIE HARD for our time.
A bipartisan thrill ride.— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 13, 2025
That’s strong praise from King, who is famously outspoken when it comes to adaptations of his own work. The Die Hard comparison suggests Wright’s version will deliver more high-octane action than expected.
Originally published under King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman in 1982, The Running Man is set in a dystopian and economically devastated America of 2025. The story follows Ben Richards, a desperate man who enters a deadly reality TV competition where contestants win money by evading assassins sent to kill them.
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In Wright’s new adaptation, Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) stars as Richards, who joins the violent contest in order to save his sick daughter. Pressured by a ruthless producer, he must survive 30 days while being hunted by assassins with every moment broadcast live to the world. As the ratings skyrocket, so does the bloodshed.
The film also stars Lee Pace, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin. Wright, best known for Shaun of the Dead, has reportedly altered the book’s ending, but the film has earned King’s personal approval. The author told Wright directly, “I think you did a great job.”
This isn’t the first time The Running Man has been adapted the 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger remains a cult favorite, holding a 67% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
King’s enthusiastic endorsement adds to what’s already shaping up to be a strong year for his adaptations.
The Running Man races into theaters on November 7, 2025.
Source: Gamesradar
