Stephen King endorsed Glen Powell for Running Man

The writer watched Hit Man before approving the actor revealed by Top Gun: Maverick as Ben Richards.

Before he could officially accept the lead role of Ben Richards in Edgar Wright’s adaptation of the novel The Running Manactor Glen Powell had to get approval from Stephen King himself.

This is what he said a few days ago, during New York Comic Con (via People):

“Edgar suggested this movie to me, and I said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it…’ Then, later that night, Edgar said to me, ‘By the way, you have to be approved by Stephen King first. So he’s going to watch Hitman This evening.’..”

Fortunately for him, Hitmanby Richard Linklater, is a brilliant action comedy in which Glen Powell excels as a lost hitman. But the stress was tough:

“So I had to wait all night for Stephen King to see Hitman and hope that I still have the role the next morning. It was terrible.”

King loved it Hitmanand agreed for him to play Ben Richards. working class man willing to do anything to help his sick daughter and who decides to participate in a game show where “ Participants, called Runners, must survive 30 days being hunted by professional assassins, each move broadcast to a blood-thirsty audience, and each day bringing a greater reward “.

“What’s great about this movie is that Edgar decided to stay true to the book, but bring it into the real world.” rejoices Glen Powell. Citizens can film and report, they can eliminate you. There is constant tension throughout the film. It’s relentless.”

The movie The Running Man will be released in France on November 19, 2025.