By Irshad Khan 
Arnold Schwarzenegger has given his official stamp of approval to the upcoming remake of The Running Man. The legendary action star, who originated the role of Ben Richards in the 1987 cult classic, recently screened director Edgar Wright’s reimagining starring Glen Powell and left no doubt about his enthusiasm. According to Powell, Schwarzenegger was “obsessed” with what he saw—and even made a shocking admission: The Running Man is the only film from his entire filmography he would do again. The remake hits theaters on November 14, 2025.
Schwarzenegger’s High Praise for the Remake
When Glen Powell showed the finished Running Man remake to Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian Oak’s reaction was immediate and enthusiastic. According to Powell, Schwarzenegger was blown away by how the film finally captured Stephen King’s original vision in a way his 1987 version didn’t. “He was so excited that the Stephen King book we put on screen,” Powell recalled. “It’s really the first time Stephen’s vision has been properly adapted. He just kept saying, ‘It’s incredible.'”
But the most striking part of Schwarzenegger’s reaction came when he opened up about his storied career. He told Powell that in his entire filmography spanning decades of iconic roles—from the Terminator franchise to Total Recall to True Lies—there’s only one movie he would do again. That film? The Running Man. It’s a remarkable admission from a man who’s made some of Hollywood’s most legendary action films.
Why This Matters: The Brutality of Action
Schwarzenegger also recognized something Powell had learned firsthand: the physical toll of making a brutal action film. The actor admitted that filming The Running Man left him battered and bruised. Rather than dismissing it, Schwarzenegger immediately grasped what few people understand about stunt work. “This was a very painful movie for you,” he told Powell. “He’s shot so many action movies, and he knows what it takes to throw yourself around.”
This exchange highlights a key difference between Schwarzenegger’s original 1987 film and Edgar Wright’s 2025 remake. Powell described the new version as having “the entire movie of Die Hard in like 10 minutes,” with an intensity that matches or exceeds what audiences remember from the original. Director Edgar Wright paid homage to Schwarzenegger by featuring his likeness on in-film currency—a subtle nod that appears to have been appreciated by the legend himself.
Meet Glen Powell: A Rising Hollywood Star
Glen Thomas Powell Jr. was born on October 21, 1988, in Austin, Texas, to Glen Powell Sr. (an executive coach) and Cyndy Powell (a homemaker). Powell’s passion for cinema began at age five when his father took him to see Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park in 1993—a formative experience that inspired him to make his own science fiction films with a home video camera and friends. His family enrolled him in the Austin Musical Theatre program at age 11, where he appeared in productions of The Music Man, Oliver, O. Henry, and The Sound of Music.
After graduating from Westwood High School in Austin in 2007—where he lettered in football and lacrosse—Powell attended the University of Texas at Austin as a film major. Though he dropped out to pursue his acting career, he returned to complete his degree, expecting to graduate in spring 2024 before pushing the timeline to spring 2027 due to scheduling conflicts.
Glen Powell’s Breakthrough and Box Office Success
Powell began his career in the early 2000s with minor television roles and small film appearances in projects like Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003) and Fast Food Nation (2006). His career gained momentum through supporting and ensemble roles in films like The Dark Knight Rises (2012), The Expendables 3 (2014), and the TV series Scream Queens (2015-2016), where he played the memorable character Chad Radwell.
His true breakthrough came with Top Gun: Maverick (2022), where he played Lieutenant Jake “Hangman” Seresin opposite Tom Cruise. The film became a massive success, earning $1.49 billion worldwide and establishing Powell as a leading man. From that point forward, his star only rose. As a leading actor, Powell has accumulated over $616 million at the worldwide box office from 11 films. His major hits include Top Gun: Maverick ($1.49 billion as an ensemble), Anyone But You (2023, $218 million), and Twisters (2024, $345 million).
| Film | Box Office (Worldwide) |
| Top Gun: Maverick (2022) | $1.49 Billion* |
| Twisters (2024) | $345 Million |
| Anyone But You (2023) | $218 Million |
| Hit Man (2024) | $98 Million |
| Hidden Figures (2017) | $201 Million |
| The Expendables 3 (2014) | $214 Million |
| *Ensemble cast film |
Schwarzenegger’s Box Office Legacy
To understand the weight of Schwarzenegger’s endorsement, it’s worth examining his remarkable box office track record. His films have grossed over $4.1 billion worldwide, making him one of the most bankable action stars in cinema history. Here’s how his biggest hits compare:
| Film | Worldwide Box Office |
| Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) | $520.9 Million |
| Terminator Genisys (2015) | $440.6 Million |
| Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) | $433 Million |
| True Lies (1994) | $365 Million |
| Total Recall (1990) | $261 Million |
| Predator (1987) | $98 Million |
| The Running Man (1987) | $38 Million |
Interestingly, while The Running Man didn’t dominate the box office in 1987, earning just $38 million, it has endured as a cult classic and critical favorite. The film’s reputation has grown over the decades as audiences have appreciated its themes about media manipulation and societal inequality—themes that feel remarkably prescient today.
Glen Powell’s Upcoming Projects
Powell’s career trajectory shows no signs of slowing down. He has an impressive slate of projects in development and pre-production, including several high-profile collaborations. Here are his upcoming films:
The Running Man (2025) — A dystopian thriller with director Edgar Wright, released November 14, 2025. Powell plays a fugitive in a deadly game show opposite Josh Brolin and Lee Pace.
Chad Powers (2025) — A limited series for Peacock where Powell plays a football star who goes undercover to restart his college career.
Top Gun 3 (In Development) — Powell is expected to return as Hangman for the third installment in the Top Gun franchise. Ehren Kruger is writing the script, and Joseph Kosinski may return to direct.
Untitled J.J. Abrams Project (In Development) — A collaboration with acclaimed director J.J. Abrams, details still under wraps.
Backdraft (In Development) — A new take on the firefighter franchise.
Wind Walkers (Post-Production) — An upcoming project in final editing.
Additional Projects in Development: Monsanto, Heaven Can Wait, Hitman, The Natural Order, Homewreckers, and Huntington.
Critical Reception and Awards History
Schwarzenegger’s career has earned him three Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy nominations. He won a Golden Globe for Best Acting Debut in Stay Hungry (1976) and received additional nominations for roles in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Junior, and True Lies. His films have won numerous Academy Awards, including Best Visual Effects and Best Sound. Powell has also appeared in two films nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards: Hidden Figures (2016) and Top Gun: Maverick (2022).
The New Era Begins
With Schwarzenegger’s blessing and Edgar Wright’s acclaimed direction, the 2025 Running Man remake enters theaters with serious momentum. Glen Powell brings not just star power from massive hits like Top Gun: Maverick and Twisters, but also a genuine commitment to physical action work that Schwarzenegger himself recognized and respected. The supporting cast includes Josh Brolin, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, and others, suggesting this adaptation is positioned as a prestige action remake rather than a simple cash grab.
Stephen King’s source material, published in 1982 under his pseudonym Richard Bachman, explores dystopian themes about inequality and media spectacle. That Wright and Powell have remained faithful to King’s vision—as Schwarzenegger himself confirmed—may help this version transcend the action genre and resonate with audiences seeking substance alongside spectacle. The Running Man arrives in theaters November 14, 2025.