Today, audiences got a sneak peek into the action thrills that will permeate Edgar Wright’s upcoming thriller The Running Man. “We’re really breaking out the heavy artillery” states lead actor Glen Powell with his trademark sense of affability and looseness, following by a cut of Powell with a cheerful smirk pushing the button of a detonator as a fireball lights up behind him. Intermingled with the featurette are scenes from the movie’s edit as caught on on camera, and scenes of the camera rig, vehicle setups, and other supporting infrastructure that makes the filming of action movies possible. They are cut together in a fashion that gives a hint at what the finished scene will feel like, while still preserving enough of it to make waiting until its theatrical release an exciting prospect.
The film is a new take on the classic Stephen King thriller about a reality TV show where contestants evade death squads for a shot at a grand prize money. Previously adapted in the 1980s with Arnold Schwarzenegger at the helm, Glen Powell will carry this new take as he continues his ascent as a leading man, following a string of notable projects like Hit Man, Anyone But You, and Twisters, while Wright surrounds him with a plethora of legendary character actors, including William H. Macy (further building on his comeback to major feature films after his lengthy stint on Shameless alongside last year’s Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes and the forthcoming Train Dreams), Lee Pace, Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, and Michael Cera (his second collaboration with Wright following Scott Pilgrim Vs The World), and up and comers like Katy O’Brian, and Emilia Jones. Wright has defined himself as a filmmaker famous for his handling of large ensemble casts with distinctive personalities. With his two most recent films, Baby Driver and Last Night In Soho, Wright has been tackling genre fiction in a more serious manner, distinct from his comedy stylings. The Running Man looks set to continue that path.
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