Hollywood Flashback: Schwarzenegger’s ‘Running Man’ Hit Lots of Hurdles
The first film adaptation of Stephen King's novel, revisited by Edgar Wright and Glen Powell and set to release on November 14, faced numerous challenges due to director changes and missed deadlines. The original version of The Running Man encountered a much rougher journey than its remake.
Origins and Plot
Based on Stephen King's 1982 novel, the film initially envisioned by producer George Linder as a vehicle for Christopher Reeve.
Producer George Linder was at an airport when he picked up King’s book, published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, and envisioned it as a vehicle for Christopher Reeve.
Eventually, Arnold Schwarzenegger was cast in the lead role, portraying a police officer framed for murder who competes for his freedom on a deadly game show where killers hunt criminals.
Production Challenges
- Multiple directors came and went, requiring screenwriter Steven E. de Souza to revise scripts repeatedly to match different visions.
- Andrew Davis was initially hired but was fired after two weeks for falling behind schedule.
- Paul Michael Glaser, known for Starsky & Hutch, was brought in and made his directorial debut with the 1986 thriller Band of the Hand.
Author's Perspective
Steven E. de Souza, who also wrote 48 Hrs., Die Hard, and Street Fighter, recalled the ongoing changes in directors and scripts during production.
Author's summary
This article details the tumultuous production history of The Running Man, highlighting director changes, casting decisions, and the remake's recent development, reflecting the film’s complex journey.