Paramount Pictures and director Edgar Wright have added Colman Domingo as the charismatic host of the world’s most dangerous game show in The Running Man, a reboot of the 1987 cult classic. The new adaptation, based on Stephen King’s 1982 dystopian thriller (written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman), is set to hit theaters on November 7, 2025.
Domingo joins previously cast Glen Powell as lead Ben Richards, the protagonist thrust into the deadly game show. The ensemble also features Josh Brolin, Karl Glusman, Katy O’Brian, and Daniel Ezra, with Brolin portraying a TV executive who serves as the story’s primary antagonist.
Edgar Wright, celebrated for films like Baby Driver and Shaun of the Dead, is directing and co-writing the script with Michael Bacall. The film is described as a fresh take on King’s original novel, steering away from the 1987 Schwarzenegger-led version by infusing Wright’s signature style while remaining true to the novel’s dystopian roots.
Set in a near-future society, The Running Man centers on Ben Richards, a desperate man who volunteers for a violent reality TV game show to win money that could save his ailing daughter. The game pits Richards against professional hunters in a deadly 30-day chase, all televised for the entertainment of a society under strict government control.
The role of the game-show host was iconic in the 1987 adaptation, with Richard Dawson stealing scenes as the cynical, larger-than-life host. Wright reportedly sought to cast someone with gravitas and charisma to redefine the role, ultimately landing on Domingo.
Colman Domingo, an Emmy winner known for his roles in Euphoria and Rustin, has been on a career high. He recently earned accolades for his performance in A24’s Sing Sing and will appear in Steven Spielberg’s next film. Domingo’s involvement adds another layer of prestige to the project, with many anticipating his performance will be one of the film’s highlights.
Glen Powell, who leads the film as Ben Richards, previously shared his excitement about working with Wright, saying, “The Running Man is something he’s so passionate about, and we’re really taking the Stephen King book and just adding a lot of fun Edgar Wright flavor to it. It’s going to be a really fun one.”
Produced by Wright alongside Nira Park, Simon Kinberg, and George Linder as executive producer, The Running Man is poised to deliver a high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled experience when it hits theaters in late 2025.