The Running Man has a cheeky cameo. Sort of.
In the highly anticipated adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novel *The Running Man*, directed by Edgar Wright, audiences can expect a clever nod to the iconic original film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Glen Powell takes the lead as Ben Richards, a man ensnared in a dystopian reality where he must participate in a deadly television game show that pits him against relentless pursuers for the entertainment of a totalitarian society. The 1987 film version, featuring Schwarzenegger, remains a cult classic, and Wright’s new interpretation pays homage to its predecessor in a unique way.
In a creative twist, although Schwarzenegger does not physically appear in the 2025 film, his likeness is cleverly integrated into the narrative. Early in the film, viewers see his face emblazoned on currency during a segment of the state-controlled television show, *Speed the Wheel*. This game show features contestants racing for their lives in a giant hamster wheel while answering trivia questions, a darkly comedic take on reality television. As the prizes of $100 and $1,000 flash on screen, the inclusion of Schwarzenegger’s visage serves as a satirical commentary on celebrity culture and the commodification of entertainment in a grim future. It raises the question of whether the original Ben Richards would appreciate being associated with the oppressive regime he fought against.
Wright’s adaptation promises a blend of thrilling action and sharp social commentary, staying true to the spirit of King’s work while also providing a fresh perspective. With its release set for November 14, 2025, *The Running Man* is poised to attract both fans of the original film and new audiences eager to experience this modern retelling of a classic tale. As the film approaches its debut, anticipation builds around how it will reinterpret the themes of survival, resistance, and the dark side of entertainment that King so vividly portrayed.
Of course
The Running Man
was going to have some kind of Arnold Schwarzenegger cameo. But how does the film pull it off?
In Edgar Wright’s new adaptation of
Stephen King’s
1982 novel
, Glen Powell leads the dystopian action thriller as Ben Richards, a desperate man who signs up for a deathly TV show in which he’s hunted for entertainment across America. It’s not the only film version of King’s novel, with Paul Michael Glaser’s 1987 film starring Schwarzenegger arguably the most famous.
So, how does Wright give a nod to Powell’s protagonist predecessor?
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While Schwarzenegger doesn’t make a personal appearance in
The Running Man
(2025), his face appears quite early on in the film. In fact, in a TV show run by the all-powerful, state-controlled Network, you’ll see Schwarzenegger’s visage printed on money, as if he’s a big deal in this totalitarian United States.
When Powell’s Richards is watching TV at home, he’s tuned into a game show called
Speed the Wheel
, in which contestants run for their lives in a giant hamster wheel while answering trivia questions like “who invented pepperoni” (or fall to their deaths). When prizes of $100 and $1,000 flash on screen, you can see Schwarzenegger’s face on the bills.
We’re not sure whether Schwarzenegger’s Ben Richards would be happy to see his face on the currency of the very police state he had to outrun in the ’80s, but it’s nonetheless on there.
The Running Man
hits cinemas on Nov. 14.
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