Glen Powell faced one of Hollywood’s most nerve-wracking nights Oct. 10 at New York Comic Con – revealing that Stephen King had final approval over his casting in The Running Man after watching Hit Man, and if you’re wondering why Stephen King approval matters for Running Man, the author’s blessing just validated Nov. 14’s most anticipated thriller.
Glen Powell Got Running Man Role Oct. 10 After Stephen King Watched Hit Man
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Glen Powell told the New York Comic Con crowd Oct. 10 that director Edgar Wright offered him The Running Man lead – then dropped the bomb that Stephen King needed to approve the casting first. King watched Powell’s Netflix thriller Hit Man overnight to decide if the actor could embody Ben Richards, a desperate father running for his life in the dystopian game show adaptation.
The stakes mattered because King’s involvement goes beyond typical author oversight. Wright and co-writer Michael Bacall submitted their entire screenplay for approval, with King praising the adaptation as “more faithful to the book to keep the fans happy, but different enough to keep me on my toes and excited.” That’s the validation that signals The Running Man won’t repeat the loose adaptation mistakes of the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger version.
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Hit Man earned 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and showcased Powell’s range across multiple personas as a fake contract killer. King watching that performance – not Top Gun: Maverick or Twisters – reveals what the horror master values: transformation, intensity, and the ability to make audiences believe someone’s fighting for survival.
Why Hit Man Convinced Stephen King More Than Top Gun Maverick
Hit Man viewers saw Powell inhabit wildly different characters within a single film – exactly what Ben Richards requires in The Running Man’s deadly televised hunt. Casual moviegoers know Powell from his cocky fighter pilot role, but King needed proof the actor could disappear into a working-class father with everything to lose.
The divide makes sense when The Running Man demands vulnerability over spectacle. Wright confirmed at NYCC that Powell appears in every scene except one, carrying the film’s emotional weight across 30 days of on-screen survival. Top Gun: Maverick showcased charisma, but Hit Man proved Powell could transform – the skill King recognized immediately after that anxious overnight screening.
“He’s like, ‘You’re my Ben Richards.’ And I’m like, ‘Let’s go.’ Later that night, he’s like, ‘By the way, you have to be approved by Stephen King,'” — Glen Powell, New York Comic Con panel.
Lock These 4 Running Man Details Before Nov. 14 Release
If you’re searching for when does Running Man release or Running Man movie date 2025, here’s your complete breakdown before The Running Man hits theaters Nov. 14.
| Step | Detail | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark calendar for Nov. 14 – Running Man theater release includes IMAX and 4DX formats | Nov. 14 |
| 2 | Rewatch Hit Man on Netflix – see what Stephen King approved for Powell’s performance range | Nov. 10 |
| 3 | Check Edgar Wright filmography – Running Man follows Scott Pilgrim vs. The World style with Bacall co-writing | Nov. 12 |
| 4 | Read Stephen King’s 1982 novel – 2025 adaptation stays faithful to book’s dystopian game show premise | Nov. 13 |
Watch For These 3 Signals Before Dec. 2025 As Running Man Reshapes King Adaptations
Track these Stephen King adaptation trends before Dec. 15 if you’re following Running Man box office predictions 2025.
Box office performance in opening weekend becomes critical. The Running Man needs to cross $30M domestically to justify Paramount’s investment in King properties – especially after The Long Walk underperformed in Oct. 2025. That signals whether audiences still trust dystopian thriller adaptations or if streaming saturated the genre.
Critical reception reveals adaptation quality. If Running Man scores above 75% on Rotten Tomatoes by Nov. 20, that validates King’s hands-on approval process and proves author oversight improves film adaptations. Wright’s reputation combined with Powell’s rising star power creates the perfect storm for a King renaissance.
Streaming migration timing matters most for those wondering when does Running Man come to streaming. Paramount Plus typically acquires theatrical releases within 45 days, so watch for announcements by Dec. 31 about digital release dates. That’s the window separating theatrical success from streaming salvage operations.
Will Running Man Nov. 14 Release Beat Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1987 Version
The stakes for Paramount Pictures go beyond a single Stephen King adaptation. With The Running Man marking the fourth King film in 2025 after The Monkey, The Life of Chuck, and The Long Walk, this Nov. 14 premiere needs to deliver both box office numbers and critical acclaim to prove dystopian thrillers still resonate.
Early signals suggest Powell’s performance could redefine the Ben Richards character beyond Schwarzenegger’s action hero template. Wright emphasized the film stays faithful to King’s 1982 novel, which predicted reality TV’s dark evolution decades before The Hunger Games existed. That source material advantage – combined with King’s personal approval – positions The Running Man as the definitive adaptation.
Will Running Man become highest-grossing Stephen King movie 2025 – and does Glen Powell’s overnight approval story prove author involvement matters more than studio marketing budgets? That’s the question driving every entertainment industry analyst before Nov. 14.
SOURCES
- https://www.latintimes.com/nycc-2025-glen-powell-recalls-most-terrifying-night-his-life-waiting-stephen-king-590401
- https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/glen-powell-stephen-king-running-man-1236397821/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Running_Man_(2025_film)
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.
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