'The Running Man' remake premieres in China

Edgar Wright's dystopian action thriller "The Running Man" premiered in Beijing on Dec. 1, introducing the thrill-packed remake to Chinese audiences.

A cosplayer dressed as Evan McCone at the China premiere of "The Running Man" in Beijing, Dec. 1, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures]

The film is the second adaptation of Stephen King's 1982 novel of the same name. Set in a near future, it follows working-class father Ben Richards as he is forced to compete on a deadly, top-rated TV show where contestants are hunted by professional assassins for public entertainment. His unexpected defiance turns him into both a fan favorite and a threat to the entire system. The cast includes Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Colman Domingo and Josh Brolin.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, who played Ben Richards in the 1987 film, gave the new adaptation his full blessing. He even appears on the currency used in the film. However, this version is less of a remake of the earlier movie and more of a faithful adaptation of King's original novel.

In discussing his creative vision, director Wright shared that he and screenwriter Michael Bacall delved deeply into the narrative manipulation mechanisms of reality television. He noted that Stephen King, in the original novel, had astonishingly foreseen the development trajectory of reality TV over the following 40 years, where the narrative of a show is meticulously crafted solely to pursue extreme entertainment value. 

He further explained that reality TV programs have proliferated since the novel's publication, with performances becoming increasingly exaggerated and corrosive. Wright remarked that "The Running Man" accurately captures humanity's insatiable craving for entertainment, a craving that blurs the lines between reality and performance, and between manipulation and truth.

Known for his critically acclaimed films "Baby Driver" and "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," Wright had in fact expressed interest in directing an adaptation of "The Running Man" back in 2017 — a wish that has now been fulfilled.

A poster for "The Running Man." [Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures]

At the China premiere, cosplayers dressed as Evan McCone, the masked leader of the hunters played by Lee Pace in "The Running Man," walked around the theater wielding toy guns, creating an immersive experience for fans of the movie. After the screening, audience members praised the film's high-octane action scenes, describing it as a gripping ride supercharged by Glen Powell's irresistible charisma and praising its theme that reflects reality and human nature.

An interesting side note is that the novel was originally published in 1982 but set in 2025, the same year this film adaptation is being released.

The film will be released nationwide in China on Dec. 5.