Any Edgar Wright fans out there?
I find Wright to be an incredibly talented visual filmmaker, but he also has an annoying penchant for infantilism and silliness. There’s a film geek sensibility to his movies that can sometimes rubs me the wrong way. With that being said, his best film is probably “Baby Driver” and its incredible usage of practical effects (save for the absurdly over-the-top last 20 minutes).
With that said, it sure looks as though his rumored project “The Chain” has been shelved, for now, and that he’s eyeing his next film to be a remake of 1987’s “The Running Man.” Glenn Powell, who is everywhere these days, is set to star as the lead.
Apparently, Powell beat out some stiff competition to land the lead role in this one. Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth were all considered for the part.
Set in 2025, the story follows a man named Ben Richards while he participates in a deadly game show, called The Running Man, which sees him declared an enemy of the state and hunted by a ground of murderous hitmen.
Producer Simon Kinberg confirms that they’re eyeing a 2024 production start.
Wright has mentioned in the past that if there’s ever been one movie that he’d love to remake then it’s “The Running Man.” Based on a novel by Stephen King, the source material has already been turned into an ‘80s movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Wright is coming off the worst-reviewed movie of his career: 2019’s “Last Night in Soho.” He still has his ardent fanbase, who will go and see whatever he does next. He’s built up this base of support with such films as “Hot Fuzz,” “Scott Pilgrim vs The World” and “Shaun of the Dead.”