Jayme Lawson (‘Genius: MLK/X’) has joined the cast of The Running Man, Edgar Wright’s upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s novel for Paramount Pictures.
She will star alongside previously cast Glen Powell, Daniel Ezra, Katy O’Brian, Josh Brolin, Karl Glusman, and Lee Pace. Edgar Wright is attached to direct and co-wrote the script with Michael Bacall.
Based on Stephen King’s 1982 novel, originally published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, Running Man was made famous by the 1987 movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The story is set in a dystopian America in 2025 and revolves around Ben Richards, a desperate man who enters a deadly reality show, The Running Man, to earn money for his gravely ill daughter. Over the course of 30 days, participants known as “runners,” are hunted down by a team of ruthless killers, all while being broadcast live to a captivated audience.
Lawson plays Sheila, the wife of Glen Powell’s Ben, who struggles to care for their sick child amid a dystopian future, leading to Ben’s participation in the titular competition.
The 1987 film adaptation of The Running Man became iconic, featuring Schwarzenegger in the lead role. Directed by Paul Michael Glaser, the movie also starred Yaphet Kotto, Maria Conchita Alonso, and Richard Dawson, who played a sinister game show host. The narrative followed a falsely convicted police officer who must compete in a brutal televised game where he fights for his freedom. Despite its mixed reviews, the film resonated with audiences, grossing $38 million at the domestic box office (unadjusted for inflation) and solidifying its place in pop culture history.
As Paramount prepares to release their new adaptation, set to debut on November 21, 2025, it will face competition from Universal’s Wicked: Part Two, creating an exciting box office showdown ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Wright is also producing alongside partner Nira Park and Simon Kinberg, with George Linder executive producing. The film is slated for release on November 21, 2025.
Next Lawson will be seen starring opposite twin Michael B. Jordans in Ryan Coogler’s Warner Bros horror film Sinners, which releases on March 7, 2025.