It looks like fans will be getting to see a revamped version of Stephen King’s The Running Man for the big screen. This all new interpretation of The Running Man, however, will be directed by Edgar Wright! It’s just been announced that Edgar Wright is currently closing the deal with Paramount to helm the new production. As fans of Stephen King and The Running Man know, the first film adaptation of the story was released in 1987 and starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, fans also know that particular film wasn’t very much like King’s story. Edgar Wright will have a much more faithful film on the way.
This news comes from Deadline, who have also revealed that Edgar Wright is co-writing the story with Michael Bacall. On top of this, Michael Bacall will also be writing the film’s script. Meanwhile, Simon Kinberg will produce via his Genre Films banner. Nira Park will also produce via Edgar Wright’s Complete Fiction banner, and Genre Films’ Audrey Chon will also produce.
Hopefully fans of Stephen King, the original 1987 film adaptation, and Edgar Wright can all get excited about this new project. The Running Man remains one of Stephen King’s most ambitious science-fiction stories, but also an eerily accurate social commentary. As such, Edgar Wright should be a perfect fit to adapt the source material. Especially in today’s modern age.
As further detailed by Deadline:
“This becomes a top priority pic for Paramount, and a novel, which King published as a paperback back in 1982, a dystopian thriller that still feels prescient in the current collision between pop culture and politics, this before social media ratcheted up the stakes. Alex Jackson is shepherding it at Paramount.”
Hopefully we’ll have more information on this upcoming Running Man film from Edgar Wright soon. As always, stay tuned to ScreenGeek for updates as we have them.