The upcoming remake of Stephen King’sThe Running Manhas cast another key villain, this time an alum fromThe Lord of the Ringsfranchise joining the movie. Theupcoming remake ofThe Running Manstars Glen Powell as Ben Richards, a desperate father competing in a deadly reality show to win the grand prize and pay for his ailing daughter’s medicine. The movie has already cast Josh Brolin as the main villain, a producer of the show, while Katy O’Brien will portray another contestant. Daniel Ezra and Karl Glusman will also star in the movie.
Now,The Hollywood Reporterhas confirmedLee Pace will be joiningThe Running Manremake as a major villain. Known for his role as Thranduil inThe Hobbittrilogy, part ofThe Lord of the Ringsfranchise, the actor will portray a killer who hunts down contestants as part of the game. This indicates he’ll have a more hands-on approach when it comes to pursuing Powell’s character, as he’ll be hunting down contestants until the last one standing wins the grand prize.
What Lee Pace’s Casting Means For The Running Man Remake
The Remake Continues To Sound More Faithful To King’s Novel
Aside from his role inThe Hobbit,Lee Pace’s roleshave included Ronan the Accuser inGuardians of the Galaxy, Ned in the TV seriesPushing Daisies, and Joe MacMillan in another show,Halt and Catch Fire.His most recent roles include Greg in the 2022 horror-comedyBodies Bodies Bodiesand as Brother Day in Apple TV+’s sci-fi showFoundation.Given the versatility of his roles over the last decade, he’s proven himself as the perfect casting choice in any number of roles, including those of a primary antagonist.
10 Ways Edgar Wright’s The Running Man Remake Will Be Different From Schwarzenegger’s Version
Edgar Wright is directing an adaptation of Stephen King’s The Running Man, which will be completely unlike Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1987 version.
News of his casting also indicates just how closely the new moviewill be adapting King’s original novel. While the first movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger is considered a classic sci-fi film,it’s not wholly accurate to the grim, oppressive mood of the source material. However,Powell’sThe Running Manremakeseems like it’ll have a larger focus on the main character trying to win the game by any means necessary, slowly evolving as the film progresses. Pace’s character seems like the perfect way to differentiate both versions from one another.
The Running Manremake is directed by Edgar Wright (Baby Driver) and written by Michael Bacall (21 Jump Street).
Our Take On Lee Pace’s Casting In The Running Man
He’ll Be A Perfect Boots-On-The-Ground Antagonist
Because of his acting skills across both movies and TV, Pace will make for a perfect boots-on-the-ground antagonist inThe Running Man. Since he’ll be ruthlessly going after Powell’s character, he’ll be able to pull from his more villainous roles in order to encapsulate the punishing pursuit he’ll be undertaking. With plenty of twists and turns the reality show will undoubtedly entail, it seems this more accurate adaptation to King’s work will have plenty of engagement going for it throughout its runtime.
The Running Man
Cast
The Running Man centers on a man participating in a perilous game show where contestants evade deadly “Hunters” in a global pursuit.
