The Running Man: Colman Domingo Cast in Edgar Wright's Remake

The cast of the remake of the Schwarzenegger classic "The Running Man" from the 80s continues to grow. After the leading role was given to Hollywood star Glen Powell, the portal Deadline has now announced the casting of another key role.

Remake of the 80s Classic

Colman Domingo will play Bobby Thompson, the host of the game show that the film revolves around. "The Running Man" is set in a dystopia in which the government controls the media. Powell's character Ben Richards takes part in a deadly reality show in an attempt to use the prize money to save his seriously ill daughter.

The film is based on a novel by horror icon Stephen King. In 1987, the book was adapted into a movie with action star Arnold Schwarzenegger. For the remake, director Edgar Wright will devote himself to the novel. The director is known to film fans for movies such as "Baby Driver" and "Shaun of the Dead".

Emmy Award-Winner Colman Domingo

Domingo is best known for his series roles. He can be seen in "Fear the Walking Dead" and as the lead actor in the 2024 Netflix series "The Madness", for example. The actor also attracted attention for his performance in the HBO series "Euphoria". For this show, he was honored with an Emmy Award for Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2022.

Release Date of "The Running Man"

Domingo now joins an impressive cast in "The Running Man". It includes Hollywood star Josh Brolin, "Fargo" actor William H. Macy and "The Mandalorian" actress Katy O'Brian.

We won't have to wait much longer: "The Running Man" is expected to hit theaters this year. The game show will open its doors on November 7, 2025.

Deadly Games in Movies

"The Running Man" is not the only movie in which deadly games are a central theme. Numerous popular productions put games of this kind in the foreground. Deadly games are a recurring theme in the movie world, confronting us with both suspense and disturbing questions about human nature and morality. In these films, the protagonists find themselves in situations where their survival instincts are put to the test, often under the eyes of a voyeuristic audience or in a system that views their lives as nothing more than a means of entertainment. Here we take a look at some of the most well-known films that deal with deadly games and that tackle the subject in different ways.

The Tributes of Panem

'The Hunger Games' is based on Suzanne Collins' bestseller of the same name and is set in a dystopian future where the totalitarian country of Panem holds an annual gruesome event called the Hunger Games. Young people from different districts have to fight each other in an arena until only one remains. These brutal games serve not only as entertainment for the elites, but also as a tool of oppression and a reminder of the Capitol's power. The film explores themes of survival instinct, social criticism and the power relationship between classes and is a prime example of how deadly games can be used as a metaphor for social injustice. Many may be familiar with the movie series, but it is always worth a recommendation.

Battle Royale

"Battle Royale is a Japanese cult classic that also deals with the subject of deadly games, but in a far more brutal way. A group of schoolchildren are sent to a remote island and forced to fight each other until only one is left alive. They are not only at the mercy of their classmates, but also under surveillance by the military, which controls the arena. The film not only shows the physical and psychological effects of this extreme situation, but also brings the social and political questions to the fore: what happens when young people are seen as the playthings of a totalitarian society?

Saw

"Saw" is the first part of a successful horror series that deals with the subject of deadly games in a psychological context. The killer "Jigsaw" kidnaps his victims and confronts them with cruel moral dilemmas: they have to save their own lives by performing extremely painful and dangerous tasks. The "games" in "Saw" are not only physically challenging, but also mentally and morally challenging, leaving viewers constantly questioning: What are we willing to do to survive? The movie aims to explore the dark abysses of human nature and how people can push their ethical boundaries under extreme conditions.

Squid Game

"Squid Game" is a South Korean series that sheds new light on the trend of deadly games. In the series, hundreds of players take part in a mysterious competition in which they play classic children's games, but with the deadly consequence that the losers die. The series is a commentary on social inequality and the extreme measures people take to escape poverty or debt. It offers not only nerve-wracking suspense, but also a profound examination of the human instinct for survival and the moral cost of gambling.