- - Stephen King, Edgar Wright explain why 'Running Man' is the new 'Die Hard' – Exclusive

Brian Truitt, USA TODAYNovember 12, 2025 at 11:15 PM

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Edgar Wright creates a wild dystopian landscape with his action thriller “The Running Man.” It’s also a world brimming with all things Stephen King.

Wright’s adaptation of King’s 1982 novel (written as Richard Bachman) includes a diner named after the legendary author’s wife Tabitha in “Running Man” (in theaters Nov. 14), which follows a desperate man on the world’s deadliest game show. King got a kick out of that one.

But British director’s favorite nods are in the locker room full of game-show contestants. There are familiar surnames above lockers inspired by actors in King movies – Travolta, Walken, Duvall – plus a lime-green jumpsuit with “King” on the back, a reference to the author’s memorably mossy role in the 1982 horror movie “Creepshow.”

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Glen Powell stars as a man who has to stay alive on a killer game show in Edgar Wright's action thriller "The Running Man," based on the Stephen King novel.

Recently, Wright gifted the jumpsuit to King. “I got it!” King exclaims and even tried it on. “It's a little big, but I wear it with pride, man.”

The two creators are frequent email pen pals, and Wright has sent many old-school vinyl rock ’n’ roll records to King over the years. In a USA TODAY exclusive interview, the pair get together on Zoom – Wright from London, King from Florida – to chat about the new “Running Man,” the book and the 1987 sci-fi action flick that was wildly different from King's vision.

The first movie starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as Ben Richards, a military helicopter pilot framed for a deadly massacre and forced to be on “The Running Man,” where he battles a crew of larger-than-life killers. Wright’s film stars Glen Powell as Richards, who – as in the book – is an unemployed, working-class man who goes on the game show to provide for his sick daughter. Stay alive for 30 days and he wins $1 billion, but he’s also being hunted by a group of murderous mercenaries.

Wright, 51, first read “The Running Man” “when I was like 12 or 13, possibly too young,” he says with a laugh. “Probably exactly the right age.” (“Everybody says that,” King quips.)

Wright was 14 when Schwarzenegger’s R-rated movie came out in U.K. theaters, so he watched it on VHS. “A lot of the story just hadn't been adapted at all,” Wright says. “It really stayed in my mind there was a whole other movie to make.”

How does the new 'Running Man' differ from Arnold Schwarzenegger's cult movie?

When King, 78, watched the original “Running Man” film, “what I remember best was they had the sound cranked up. It's like ‘Spinal Tap’: This one goes to 11,” the author says, adding that his wife watched it with her fingers in her ears. For Wright, the most successful thing about that movie was Richard Dawson as the evil TV producer/game-show host – casting the “Family Feud” icon was such a “masterstroke” that Wright didn’t even attempt it. (For his version, Josh Brolin is the villainous producer, while Colman Domingo is the bombastic show host.)

Wright included in the new “Running Man” one nifty Schwarzenegger Easter egg: His face is on currency. They had to get photo approval from the former California governor, and Wright and Powell presented him with a massive $100 bill with his mug on it. “He looked like a lottery winner,” Wright says.

Watching the new "Running Man" reminded Schwarzenegger how hard it is to make action movies: He told Wright that he enjoys watching his films back, "but I never used to like shooting them. I much prefer shooting ‘Kindergarten Cop’ and ‘Twins.’ ”

Original "Running Man" star Arnold Schwarzenegger's face is on currency in the new "Running Man."

King thought Schwarzenegger was “fun” in that original movie, but Powell is closer to his Ben Richards.

“Arnold didn't look like somebody who had been missing many meals. He was ripped,” King says. Also, “he doesn't seem like an Everyman. He seems like Arnold. And Glen seems like a regular guy: You would believe him in this part. He's handsome but he's not a Clark Gable, big movie star kind of guy. He's a regular guy who's just better looking than most of us.”

Latest 'The Running Man' offers shades of a Bruce Willis classic

King likens Wright’s “Running Man” to “Die Hard” in that “you've got one guy against a lot of other people. But the nice thing about this movie and ‘Die Hard’ is that they are action pictures that have some thought involved with them, and also there's that little twinkle of humor in there, too.” Wright, for one, sees a lot of Bruce Willis’ John McClane in Powell’s performance.

“Even though he's a cop, he's not on home turf, he hasn't got his shoes on, he's completely outnumbered, and he's kind of wildly improvising and winging it. So there's a vulnerability to the character,” Wright says of McClane. Played by Powell, Richards is “somebody who made a choice out of desperation. ... He's not like a super-spy, he's not a trained killer. He's an out-of-work dad.”

Bestselling author Stephen King, shown in a 1970 file photo.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ojj32g6GKwakxbf9SiHLiw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTQy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d392e924d0d763e9540e82930655771a class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Bestselling author Stephen King, shown in a 1970 file photo.

">Bestselling author Stephen King, shown in a 1970 file photo.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ojj32g6GKwakxbf9SiHLiw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTQy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d392e924d0d763e9540e82930655771a class=caas-img>Stephen King answers questions at the Davis-Kidd Booksellers bookstore in Green Hills in 1994, during his "Insomnia" book tour.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DQDRwxaXfhY_91I7SeI1KA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/237aceec7d9fd02d1435f073a1b065ad class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King answers questions at the Davis-Kidd Booksellers bookstore in Green Hills in 1994, during his "Insomnia" book tour.

">Stephen King answers questions at the Davis-Kidd Booksellers bookstore in Green Hills in 1994, during his "Insomnia" book tour.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DQDRwxaXfhY_91I7SeI1KA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04ODE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/237aceec7d9fd02d1435f073a1b065ad class=caas-img>Stephen King hops onto his Harley-Davidson to leave Nashville, one of 10 stops on his 4,300-mile tour to promote his book, "Insomnia" and independent bookstores.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OVJBfOo6kHVM6EGT6bYdmQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/347d2b8818d35c0879387f5864f94f7b class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King hops onto his Harley-Davidson to leave Nashville, one of 10 stops on his 4,300-mile tour to promote his book, "Insomnia" and independent bookstores.

">Stephen King hops onto his Harley-Davidson to leave Nashville, one of 10 stops on his 4,300-mile tour to promote his book, "Insomnia" and independent bookstores.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OVJBfOo6kHVM6EGT6bYdmQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/347d2b8818d35c0879387f5864f94f7b class=caas-img>Stephen King, author, photographed at the Little League baseball stadium he built in 1998.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dyGqxugkhvNZV2UXwUCwJA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzAx/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/79743b24611b7562ed8b02d271356c11 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King, author, photographed at the Little League baseball stadium he built in 1998.

">Stephen King, author, photographed at the Little League baseball stadium he built in 1998.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dyGqxugkhvNZV2UXwUCwJA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzAx/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/79743b24611b7562ed8b02d271356c11 class=caas-img>Stephen King is greeted by actor Michael Clarke Duncan at the premiere of the film "The Green Mile" in 1999.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/T3uQLykRHdQnsiRPjJ4fDw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTg1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/fd79c7a4ac2359eb60459d9e0af778c5 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King is greeted by actor Michael Clarke Duncan at the premiere of the film "The Green Mile" in 1999.

">Stephen King is greeted by actor Michael Clarke Duncan at the premiere of the film "The Green Mile" in 1999.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/T3uQLykRHdQnsiRPjJ4fDw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTg1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/fd79c7a4ac2359eb60459d9e0af778c5 class=caas-img>Stephen King poses in New York City before performing with rock charity supergroup The Rock Bottom Remainders in 2001.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/UV52qH1an3goBO2YU4Sq0A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjA3/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3318b2373e2fa8ebe7185141d22c4998 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King poses in New York City before performing with rock charity supergroup The Rock Bottom Remainders in 2001.

">Stephen King poses in New York City before performing with rock charity supergroup The Rock Bottom Remainders in 2001.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/UV52qH1an3goBO2YU4Sq0A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjA3/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3318b2373e2fa8ebe7185141d22c4998 class=caas-img>Stephen King arrives for the Los Angeles premiere of the film "The Manchurian Candidate" in 2004.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/NzbV38MB7eSRV7CAMlZD9w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzMw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/677489089d3ee75ad11bd99efb512979 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King arrives for the Los Angeles premiere of the film "The Manchurian Candidate" in 2004.

">Stephen King arrives for the Los Angeles premiere of the film "The Manchurian Candidate" in 2004.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/NzbV38MB7eSRV7CAMlZD9w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzMw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/677489089d3ee75ad11bd99efb512979 class=caas-img>"Misery" by Stephen King

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JLxGrL_BqCcQ7fH7qvzCzQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE0NjI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f0c2b4d63e0e8f452ecb5dd7ced6ecaa class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

"Misery" by Stephen King

">"Misery" by Stephen King

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JLxGrL_BqCcQ7fH7qvzCzQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTE0NjI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f0c2b4d63e0e8f452ecb5dd7ced6ecaa class=caas-img>Stephen King and Amy Tan appear together at the 2002 New Yorker Festival.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/pCgmKvfFJSpb.kFtVGv7Mw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODg4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/675e7a3cd0cd71ff88737b978c4c1f0f class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King and Amy Tan appear together at the 2002 New Yorker Festival.

">Stephen King and Amy Tan appear together at the 2002 New Yorker Festival.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/pCgmKvfFJSpb.kFtVGv7Mw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODg4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/675e7a3cd0cd71ff88737b978c4c1f0f class=caas-img>Stephen King attends a benefit reading for Frank Muller at Town Hall in 2002 in New York City. Actor and audiobook narrator Frank Muller sustained debilitating injuries in a motorcycle accident in November 2001. The event raised funds to assist in meeting the immediate needs of Muller and his family.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/V.MJEO3vcgGyRd9_C_Ftdg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODQz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/891e9153afee2b737502bb0486c08d6e class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King attends a benefit reading for Frank Muller at Town Hall in 2002 in New York City. Actor and audiobook narrator Frank Muller sustained debilitating injuries in a motorcycle accident in November 2001. The event raised funds to assist in meeting the immediate needs of Muller and his family.

">Stephen King attends a benefit reading for Frank Muller at Town Hall in 2002 in New York City. Actor and audiobook narrator Frank Muller sustained debilitating injuries in a motorcycle accident in November 2001. The event raised funds to assist in meeting the immediate needs of Muller and his family.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/V.MJEO3vcgGyRd9_C_Ftdg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODQz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/891e9153afee2b737502bb0486c08d6e class=caas-img>Stephen King and actor Donnie Wahlberg greet each other at the premiere of Dreamcatcher and the afterparty in 2003.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/m0B_SlHRWmP3SgO891s0iA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMjMy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6752dd1cc9398f8f153baadc583eb1ab class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King and actor Donnie Wahlberg greet each other at the premiere of Dreamcatcher and the afterparty in 2003.

">Stephen King and actor Donnie Wahlberg greet each other at the premiere of Dreamcatcher and the afterparty in 2003.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/m0B_SlHRWmP3SgO891s0iA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMjMy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6752dd1cc9398f8f153baadc583eb1ab class=caas-img>J.K. Rowling and Stephen King attend a news conference for "An Evening With Harry, Carrie and Garp," a reading with Rowling, King and John Irving in 2006.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/NTvHW7aRGhuqFgjUFzWGHw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04OTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8c22bfeb1bff5502072f3dee7af5fb87 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

J.K. Rowling and Stephen King attend a news conference for "An Evening With Harry, Carrie and Garp," a reading with Rowling, King and John Irving in 2006.

">J.K. Rowling and Stephen King attend a news conference for "An Evening With Harry, Carrie and Garp," a reading with Rowling, King and John Irving in 2006.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/NTvHW7aRGhuqFgjUFzWGHw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04OTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8c22bfeb1bff5502072f3dee7af5fb87 class=caas-img>Stephen King (R) speaks at the Amazon Fishbowl with Bill Maher during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/K7iCY5RxJ__qPx6S3g3NeQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cbecabf192425908d12a56f2cc02313f class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King (R) speaks at the Amazon Fishbowl with Bill Maher during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.

">Stephen King (R) speaks at the Amazon Fishbowl with Bill Maher during the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/K7iCY5RxJ__qPx6S3g3NeQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03ODA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cbecabf192425908d12a56f2cc02313f class=caas-img>Stephen King attends a signing session for his new novel "Lisey's Story" at Borders bookstore in 2006 in London, England.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/R2FHy_ZyIBZbiFDPmuXfkQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04OTY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/be6d8b8f3ccdc7653cb7f1911699d9cd class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King attends a signing session for his new novel "Lisey's Story" at Borders bookstore in 2006 in London, England.

">Stephen King attends a signing session for his new novel "Lisey's Story" at Borders bookstore in 2006 in London, England.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/R2FHy_ZyIBZbiFDPmuXfkQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04OTY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/be6d8b8f3ccdc7653cb7f1911699d9cd class=caas-img>"Duma Key" by Stephen King.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3blE0gRFt3faDNc2SJoMzg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODc4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e853de3711d5e7dd7a624fd2b2e43acf class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

"Duma Key" by Stephen King.

">"Duma Key" by Stephen King.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3blE0gRFt3faDNc2SJoMzg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODc4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e853de3711d5e7dd7a624fd2b2e43acf class=caas-img>Stephen King performs with rock charity supergroup the Rock Bottom Remainders in 2007

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9Z9gqY5MNRjPRU797Aj.1g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTg2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8bacf4b555c04b99dbc6b37eba9c78fb class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King performs with rock charity supergroup the Rock Bottom Remainders in 2007

">Stephen King performs with rock charity supergroup the Rock Bottom Remainders in 2007

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9Z9gqY5MNRjPRU797Aj.1g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTg2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8bacf4b555c04b99dbc6b37eba9c78fb class=caas-img>Stephen King poses for a portrait in 2008 for his new novel, "Duma Key," which borrows from his own life as it follows a man surviving a life-threatening accident. In 1999, King survived a hit by a drunk driver.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/CQuFzf37eM8BL8.rXb0hbw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/93fec420c8e5182995197a116a6f1d9b class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King poses for a portrait in 2008 for his new novel, "Duma Key," which borrows from his own life as it follows a man surviving a life-threatening accident. In 1999, King survived a hit by a drunk driver.

">Stephen King poses for a portrait in 2008 for his new novel, "Duma Key," which borrows from his own life as it follows a man surviving a life-threatening accident. In 1999, King survived a hit by a drunk driver.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/CQuFzf37eM8BL8.rXb0hbw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/93fec420c8e5182995197a116a6f1d9b class=caas-img>Stephen King promotes "Under The Dome" at the North Point Boulevard Walmart in Dundalk, Maryland in 2009.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_2KBawMc0RLAuzQzmMOvCA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/40c3d40546514cffafa009b736491e54 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King promotes "Under The Dome" at the North Point Boulevard Walmart in Dundalk, Maryland in 2009.

">Stephen King promotes "Under The Dome" at the North Point Boulevard Walmart in Dundalk, Maryland in 2009.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_2KBawMc0RLAuzQzmMOvCA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MjY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/40c3d40546514cffafa009b736491e54 class=caas-img>Stephen King holds up a pink Amazon Kindle 2 at a news conference in New York where the device was introduced in 2009.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/g1eenYKAb.VSIKosqe05iw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2533254767c1921e0a575a7b712976cc class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King holds up a pink Amazon Kindle 2 at a news conference in New York where the device was introduced in 2009.

">Stephen King holds up a pink Amazon Kindle 2 at a news conference in New York where the device was introduced in 2009.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/g1eenYKAb.VSIKosqe05iw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2533254767c1921e0a575a7b712976cc class=caas-img>Stephen King in 2011 at the 6th Floor Museum near the location where Lee Harvey Oswald fired fatal shots at John F. Kennedy. King's novel "11/22/63" is about a man who goes back in time hoping to stop the assassination.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0aHjWGJJ.gAl4UMqv8vI7w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/47b34c8411d5ab3aabcb2e6cbebe9ee9 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King in 2011 at the 6th Floor Museum near the location where Lee Harvey Oswald fired fatal shots at John F. Kennedy. King's novel "11/22/63" is about a man who goes back in time hoping to stop the assassination.

">Stephen King in 2011 at the 6th Floor Museum near the location where Lee Harvey Oswald fired fatal shots at John F. Kennedy. King's novel "11/22/63" is about a man who goes back in time hoping to stop the assassination.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0aHjWGJJ.gAl4UMqv8vI7w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/47b34c8411d5ab3aabcb2e6cbebe9ee9 class=caas-img>Stephen King in 2013 in Paris before a book signing event dedicated to the release of his "Doctor Sleep", the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining."

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6UR_xLr4J7MF3REqns.soQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ce2c46b7f3b629ecf058308dcae6e432 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King in 2013 in Paris before a book signing event dedicated to the release of his "Doctor Sleep", the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining."

">Stephen King in 2013 in Paris before a book signing event dedicated to the release of his "Doctor Sleep", the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining."

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6UR_xLr4J7MF3REqns.soQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ce2c46b7f3b629ecf058308dcae6e432 class=caas-img>Stephen King's new book "Doctor Sleep," the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining," displayed in Paris.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/oQIJ2GE1mjyoQvD14WOXhA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/aade50bdad850616b9529b3b05d526eb class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King's new book "Doctor Sleep," the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining," displayed in Paris.

">Stephen King's new book "Doctor Sleep," the sequel to his 1977 novel "The Shining," displayed in Paris.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/oQIJ2GE1mjyoQvD14WOXhA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/aade50bdad850616b9529b3b05d526eb class=caas-img>Stephen King arrives for a press conference for his new book "Doctor Sleep" in 2013.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/k13nIEHjRoHfs762ZlLTnw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjk4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/80e771780f1ff614f93d7828fbd7b06e class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King arrives for a press conference for his new book "Doctor Sleep" in 2013.

">Stephen King arrives for a press conference for his new book "Doctor Sleep" in 2013.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/k13nIEHjRoHfs762ZlLTnw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjk4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/80e771780f1ff614f93d7828fbd7b06e class=caas-img>Stephen King (center) takes in the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2014.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1EK1kQeehNC4krqIFegl8w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MTQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5e7b097e6442adafcd407458fdbe5225 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King (center) takes in the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2014.

">Stephen King (center) takes in the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2014.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1EK1kQeehNC4krqIFegl8w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MTQ-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5e7b097e6442adafcd407458fdbe5225 class=caas-img>Stephen King takes a photo with a fan before the start of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2018.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IidiCr2KtV_KUC7S6svSXA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04OTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/30b6081de990c0a86d01ade3a2724ce7 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King takes a photo with a fan before the start of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2018.

">Stephen King takes a photo with a fan before the start of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2018.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IidiCr2KtV_KUC7S6svSXA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04OTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/30b6081de990c0a86d01ade3a2724ce7 class=caas-img>Former President Barack Obama presents Stephen King with the National Medal of Arts during a ceremony at the White House in 2015.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Rhn_S4kLhxIDNm5jcWCj.g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mzk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/896da7a1358595fa1c9ef477c0575d75 class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Former President Barack Obama presents Stephen King with the National Medal of Arts during a ceremony at the White House in 2015.

">Former President Barack Obama presents Stephen King with the National Medal of Arts during a ceremony at the White House in 2015.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Rhn_S4kLhxIDNm5jcWCj.g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mzk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/896da7a1358595fa1c9ef477c0575d75 class=caas-img>Stephen King attends a special screening of "IT" in Bangor, Maine in 2017.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IulDbi20kNkQOj0odkTfZw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a1b68df213ce1b8bd9042be4e1e3184f class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King attends a special screening of "IT" in Bangor, Maine in 2017.

">Stephen King attends a special screening of "IT" in Bangor, Maine in 2017.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IulDbi20kNkQOj0odkTfZw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a1b68df213ce1b8bd9042be4e1e3184f class=caas-img>Stephen King attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5LnmOdS8C8L6EQMvjV_3Rw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f8e9e90a6a4c0d468f52a3973f425cf class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

">Stephen King attends the 2018 PEN Literary Gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5LnmOdS8C8L6EQMvjV_3Rw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3f8e9e90a6a4c0d468f52a3973f425cf class=caas-img>Stephen King signs autographs after stepping out of US District Court in Washington, D.C. in 2022. King testified for the US government in an antitrust case involving publishers' merging.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/jNsFS8Kb_Ecv48aMKWtP6A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/755b3fa5cc03c1c83de4ae8e544a334e class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King signs autographs after stepping out of US District Court in Washington, D.C. in 2022. King testified for the US government in an antitrust case involving publishers' merging.

">Stephen King signs autographs after stepping out of US District Court in Washington, D.C. in 2022. King testified for the US government in an antitrust case involving publishers' merging.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/jNsFS8Kb_Ecv48aMKWtP6A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/755b3fa5cc03c1c83de4ae8e544a334e class=caas-img>Stephen King and actress Kate Siegel attend the premiere of "The Life of Chuck" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/n97lf3O2Bgx_R7XxJ1mbzg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NDM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ce3b352e144d5b069855043528315cce class=caas-img data-headline="Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books" data-caption="

Stephen King and actress Kate Siegel attend the premiere of "The Life of Chuck" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

">Stephen King and actress Kate Siegel attend the premiere of "The Life of Chuck" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/n97lf3O2Bgx_R7XxJ1mbzg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NDM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ce3b352e144d5b069855043528315cce class=caas-img>

1 / 30Stephen King's career in photos: Look back at the ‘King of Horror’ and his books

Bestselling author Stephen King, shown in a 1970 file photo.

Wright sent his and Michael Bacall’s screenplay to King before production started, but the author didn’t give him any notes. “I just wanted to know all the secrets about making ‘Baby Driver,’ ” King says, referring to his favorite Wright movie. That he loved it was both blessing and curse, Wright recalls thinking: "Not only do I have to live up to the film in my head, I have to live up to the film in Stephen's head as well!”

One addition that the author appreciated was a moment between the movie’s hero and Amelia (Emilia Jones), a young, well-to-do woman whom Ben carjacks while on the run.

“He says something to her that is really striking: ‘You are wearing a scarf around your neck that would feed a thousand people,’ ” King recalls. “That is like the serious side of (‘The Running Man’) that flies under the radar. It has a little bit of a texture to it that you don't find in a lot of Jason Statham pictures. Or Arnold Schwarzenegger pictures.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stephen King compares 'Running Man' Glen Powell to Schwarzenegger

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”