Glen Powell: Star of ‘The Running Man’ and Hollywood’s Newest Headliner

Glen Powell Takes the Lead in Edgar Wright’s ‘The Running Man’

When Edgar Wright announced his plans to adapt Stephen King’s dystopian thriller The Running Man, the film world buzzed with speculation. Who would step into the shoes of Ben Richards—a desperate man in a broken society, risking everything for his family? The answer: Glen Powell, an actor whose star has quietly but steadily ascended over the last decade, now stands firmly in the spotlight.

Paramount recently unveiled striking posters for the film, showcasing Powell as Richards. Unlike the 1987 adaptation starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, this version promises to remain true to King’s original narrative. The story unfolds in a United States ravaged by economic collapse and violence, where a deadly televised game show preys on the most vulnerable. Contestants, or “Runners,” have one objective: survive for 30 days while evading professional assassins and a ravenous public, all for a chance at salvation.

For Powell, the role is more than just another gig. In a candid interview with Entertainment Weekly, he reflected on the parallels between Ben Richards’ journey and his own experience as a public figure. “The truth has probably never mattered less,” he mused, pointing to a world obsessed with viral content and instant judgments. In his view, society’s rush to label heroes and villains—often without nuance—mirrors the dark spectacle at the heart of The Running Man.

“People do whatever it takes to get what they need and say whatever they need to say to get what they need… You can’t blame anyone, but it is just the system that we live in,” Powell observed. He’s not wrong. In the age of social media, reputations rise and fall at the speed of a trending hashtag. The film, set in 2025, feels eerily prescient.

The Story Behind the Story: A Society Addicted to Spectacle

Stephen King’s 1982 novel—written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman—has always been a warning about the dangers of turning suffering into entertainment. Powell’s Ben Richards is a working-class father, driven to desperation by a sick daughter and a system stacked against him. Lured by the promise of money, he enters the show, only to discover that survival means more than just outrunning killers. It means confronting a nation addicted to watching him fall.

As the game unfolds, Richards’ resilience and cunning make him a fan favorite. This threatens the producers, who rely on the audience’s bloodlust to keep ratings high. “You’re set up to become the villain so that the world cheers for you to lose,” Powell said, emphasizing how the film explores the toxic cycle of public shaming and manufactured outrage. It’s a story that feels tailored for a time when news travels faster than facts and nuance is often lost in the noise.

Wright’s adaptation also brings in Josh Brolin as Dan Killian, the show’s charismatic but ruthless producer. The interplay between Richards and Killian is expected to be a highlight, as each tries to outmaneuver the other in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

From Silver Screen to Social Scene: Glen Powell and Lily James

While Powell’s professional life is soaring, his personal life has caught the public’s attention for different reasons. Just before the 2025 BAFTA Awards, he was spotted leaving a high-profile party with actress Lily James. Paparazzi photos captured the pair giggling and slipping into the same SUV, sparking a flurry of rumors about a budding romance.

The two have history: they starred together in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society back in 2017, building a friendly rapport that’s lasted for years. Their red-carpet chemistry was noted at the film’s premiere and again at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards. Still, both Powell and James have had other public relationships—Powell with Gigi Paris (2019-2023), James with Michael Shuman (2021-2023). Are they Hollywood’s next “it couple,” or just longtime friends navigating the same circles? For now, the answer remains as elusive as a tabloid headline’s truth.

In an industry where personal and professional lines blur, these glimpses into Powell’s private life are part of the spectacle. It’s a reminder that, much like Ben Richards, Powell is navigating a world where every move is scrutinized—and sometimes, reinterpreted for public consumption.

Career Momentum: More Than a Leading Man

Glen Powell’s trajectory is no accident. Before landing The Running Man, he built a reputation on versatility and commitment. From his breakout role in Top Gun: Maverick to his performances in romantic comedies and dramas, Powell has shown a knack for finding the human core in every character. His willingness to take risks—both on and off screen—reflects a deeper understanding of what it means to survive in Hollywood’s high-stakes game.

Wright’s faith in Powell speaks volumes. The director, known for his kinetic style and sharp storytelling, sought someone who could ground the film’s spectacle in genuine emotion. Powell, it seems, is ready for that challenge. As the marketing campaign ramps up ahead of the film’s November 14 theatrical release, expectations are high.

Will The Running Man redefine the genre and give Powell his most iconic role yet? Only time—and box office receipts—will tell.

Glen Powell’s current moment is a collision of fiction and reality: a star playing a man hunted for sport, while navigating the relentless gaze of the public eye. His journey, like Ben Richards’, is a test of resilience in a world that’s quick to judge and slow to understand. As both the film and Powell’s personal life play out in real time, audiences are left to wonder: are we simply watching, or are we complicit in the spectacle?