Premiere - The Running Man : Edgar Wright and Glen Powell Bring Their Dystopian Vision to Paris

By Mulder, Paris, UGC Ciné Cité Bercy, Salle 33, 03 november 2025

On Monday, November 3, 2025, the UGC Ciné Cité Bercy in Paris hosted an exclusive screening of The Running Man, the new film directed by Edgar Wright and starring Glen Powell. The event, organized in collaboration with Paramount Pictures, gathered members of the press, industry professionals, and a few lucky guests for a rare preview of one of the most talked-about titles of the year. Before the screening began, both Edgar Wright and Glen Powell came on stage to introduce the film in person, greeted by a visibly enthusiastic crowd. The director spoke about his long-standing interest in Stephen King’s original 1982 novel, written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, while the lead actor discussed what it meant to reinterpret a character that had already been brought to life decades earlier by Arnold Schwarzenegger. The introduction set the tone for the evening: this was not merely a promotional event, but a celebration of storytelling, adaptation, and creative continuity between generations of filmmakers and performers.

The project itself has been under public watch since its initial announcement in 2021, when news broke that Edgar Wright would helm a new adaptation faithful to Stephen King’s source material. Unlike many projects born out of nostalgia, this film quickly drew attention because of Wright’s reputation for precise visual storytelling, rhythm-driven editing, and his instinct for blending genre with subtext, as previously seen in Baby Driver, Last Night in Soho, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. The director co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Bacall, reuniting the pair who had earlier collaborated on Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010). Together, they developed a vision of The Running Man that traces its lineage directly back to King’s original dystopian tale, focusing on its social dimensions and character dynamics rather than functioning as a simple remake of the 1987 film. During the Paris presentation, Edgar Wright emphasized how the novel’s tone, written at the height of early 1980s paranoia about media saturation and systemic inequality, still resonates powerfully in the modern age.

Backed by Simon Kinberg, Audrey Chon, and Nira Park, production took place primarily in London between November 2024 and March 2025. Among the most ambitious sequences were those filmed inside Wembley Stadium, repurposed for the movie’s large-scale arena scenes. The Paris audience was reminded of the scope of this production, which combined elaborate set design, crowd coordination, and intricate visual effects. The Running Man is produced by Genre Films and Complete Fiction, with Paramount Pictures handling global distribution. Cinematography is by Chung Chung-hoon, known for his work with Park Chan-wook, and editing by Paul Machliss, a longtime collaborator of Wright’s who has helped define his kinetic style. Every aspect of this project’s conception, from casting to post-production, seems to have been guided by a shared ambition to reinterpret a familiar premise through a contemporary lens.

This screening in Paris follows several earlier promotional milestones that helped build momentum around the film. The first public footage was shown at CinemaCon 2025, where Edgar Wright, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin, and Glen Powell appeared together on stage to introduce the project to exhibitors and journalists. The presentation reportedly received an enthusiastic response, and shortly thereafter, on July 1, the film’s first trailer premiered online. To accompany its release, the marketing team devised a short promotional video featuring Glen Powell in a meta, tongue-in-cheek skit directed by Ashton Hall, playfully referencing the movie’s themes of media spectacle and identity. That marketing choice instantly caught attention on social networks, demonstrating Paramount’s intention to promote the film with a mix of self-awareness and humor, while keeping the mystery of its world intact.

During the Paris event, Glen Powell recounted a personal anecdote: before accepting the role of Ben Richards, he had reached out directly to Arnold Schwarzenegger, who portrayed the same character in the 1987 adaptation. According to Powell, Schwarzenegger offered his full support, an exchange that bridged the gap between the two versions and underlined the respect this new production holds for its predecessor while establishing its own direction. The cast assembled by Edgar Wright includes an impressive ensemble: William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, Michael Cera, Daniel Ezra, Sean Hayes, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin. Each brings a distinctive presence to the film, and their combination reflects Wright’s tendency to blend veteran performers with rising talents, ensuring a broad emotional and tonal palette across his ensemble.

Set in a near-future America where society has collapsed into economic chaos and entertainment has become the primary distraction from reality, The Running Man follows Ben Richards, a man who agrees to participate in a deadly televised competition in hopes of saving his terminally ill daughter. The show’s charismatic and manipulative producer, Dan Killian, turns the event into a nationwide obsession. The story unfolds within a universe shaped by media control, public spectacle, and personal sacrifice — elements that have long made Stephen King’s narrative a favorite among readers of dystopian fiction. As presented at the Paris screening, the film remains rooted in these themes, emphasizing the tension between individual survival and systemic exploitation.

The Paris audience responded warmly to the presence of Edgar Wright and Glen Powell, whose rapport on stage reflected a strong creative partnership. The energy in the room was palpable, with attendees fully aware they were witnessing one of the final major pre-release events before The Running Man opens worldwide. The screening concluded with sustained applause, not just for the filmmakers but for the occasion itself — a moment that brought together cinema professionals, fans of Stephen King, and followers of Edgar Wright’s body of work. Beyond the screening, it was a reminder of how theatrical experiences continue to foster genuine collective excitement, even in an age dominated by digital media and streaming platforms. The Running Man will be released on November 14, 2025 in the United States and November 19, 2025 in France. Until then, anticipation remains high for what promises to be one of Paramount Pictures’ flagship releases this year.

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Synopsis :
In the near future, The Running Man is the number one show on television: a ruthless survival game where contestants, known as Runners, must escape professional killers for 30 days, under the watchful eye of a captivated audience. Each day that passes increases the prize money—and provides an ever-more intense adrenaline rush. Ben Richards, a desperate worker willing to do anything to save his seriously ill daughter, accepts the unthinkable: to take part in this deadly show, pushed by Dan Killian, its charismatic and cruel producer. But no one could have predicted that Ben, with his will to live, his instincts, and his determination, would become a true hero of the people... and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, the danger escalates. Ben will have to face much more than the Hunters: he will have to face an entire country addicted to seeing him fall.

The Running Man
Directed by Edgar Wright
Written by Michael Bacall, Edgar Wright
Based on The Running Man by Stephen King (as Richard Bachman)
Produced by Edgar Wright, Nira Park, Simon Kinberg
Starring Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, Michael Cera, Daniel Ezra, Sean Hayes, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin
Cinematography : Chung Chung-hoon
Edited by Paul Machliss 
Production companies : Genre Films, Complete Fiction
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date : November 14, 2025 (United States), November 19, 2025 (France)

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville