Wed Oct 22 03:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Stephen King’s Blessing: Glen Powell Survives “Hit Man” Test for “The Running Man” Role
New York, NY – Securing a role in a Stephen King adaptation is already a dream for many actors, but getting approved by the horror master himself? That’s a whole other level of pressure. Glen Powell, set to star as Ben Richards in Edgar Wright’s upcoming adaptation of “The Running Man,” recently revealed the nerve-wracking experience he endured to get King’s blessing.
Speaking at New York Comic Con, Powell explained that after being offered the role, he learned he needed to pass a unique audition: Stephen King would be watching Powell’s performance in “Hit Man” and deciding his fate.
“Edgar [Wright} offered me this movie, and I was like, ‘Yes,'” Powell shared. “And then, like, later that night [Edgar says], ‘By the way, like, you have to be approved by Stephen King. He’s gonna watch Hit Man tonight.'”
The actor described the overnight wait as “terrible,” but ultimately, Powell received the coveted stamp of approval. King reportedly “loved” “Hit Man,” clearing the way for Powell to embody Ben Richards, the central character from King’s 1982 novel, originally published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman.
“The Running Man” depicts a dystopian future where contestants are hunted in a televised game show for a chance to win $1 billion. Wright co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Bacall.
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast alongside Powell, including Colman Domingo, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, Michael Cera, Josh Brolin, Daniel Ezra, and Jayme Lawson.
This marks the second adaptation of King’s novel. The first, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, was released in 1987.
“The Running Man” is scheduled to hit theaters on November 14, 2025. Fans can only imagine the pressure is off of Powell for now, but not for long as production ramps up for this next Stephen King blockbuster.
Lex Briscuso, IGN
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