Remember that dystopian thrill ride from the '80s that had Arnold Schwarzenegger running for his life? This cult classic, loosely based on Stephen King's novel, dropped us into a grim 2017-2019 (oh, the irony!) where reality TV took a deadly turn.
Picture this: A police helicopter pilot, Ben Richards (Schwarzenegger, his muscular glory downplayed), is framed for a massacre and forced to participate in a brutal game show. The prize? His life. The catch? He's got to outrun, outfight, and outsmart a bunch of colorful, deadly "stalkers" while the whole world watches. Talk about high-stakes entertainment!
With its mix of biting satire, over-the-top action, and a healthy dose of Schwarzenegger one-liners, The Running Man surprisingly, wasn’t a massive hit— in fact, it’s considered a flop! Which is pretty surprising considering its acting pedigree. The critics panned it at the time, but who cares about them? It didn’t help that Stephen King wasn’t a fan, and I can understand that since the film went a completely different direction than the book. But, even with all that, the film has grown in popularity over time, and even if you've watched this flick a dozen times, I bet there's still plenty you don't know about it.
So, put on your running shoes—ahem, I mean your reading glasses, if you need them, and let’s dive into this underappreciate Arnie film!
1. The Film Almost Had a Different Leading Man
Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn't the first choice to play Ben Richards. In fact, the casting process for The Running Man was quite a rollercoaster. Initially, Christopher Reeve, famous for his role as Superman, was the top pick for the part. The producers thought his all-American looks and heroic persona would be perfect for the role of a wrongly accused man fighting against a corrupt system. Imagine the Man of Steel running for his life!
However, when Reeve passed on the project, the producers didn't give up on the idea of a more traditional hero type. They approached Patrick Swayze, who was riding high on the success of "Dirty Dancing." Swayze was interested, but scheduling conflicts ultimately prevented him from taking the role.
As the search continued, some unexpected names came into the mix. Believe it or not, both Keith Carradine and Richard Dreyfuss were considered at various points. Richard Dreyfuss?! Can you imagine the witty, neurotic Dreyfuss running from high-tech gladiators?
It wasn't until later in the casting process that the producers decided to shift gears and go for a more physically imposing lead. This led them to approach Arnold Schwarzenegger, who already a bona fide action star by 1987. Schwarzenegger loved the script's blend of action and satire, and the rest, as they say, is history.
This casting shift also led to some script rewrites to better suit Schwarzenegger's persona and accent, including the addition of many of the one-liners that fans love today.
Bonus Rad Fact: In the Running Man, Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac plays a character named Mic, and says to Arnold Schwarzenegger's character, "You're one of the cops who locked up all my friends, burned my songs, people like you took this country and turned it into a jail." Also, Dweezil Zappa, son of famous musician Frank Zappa, has a small role in the film as Mic’s resistance right hand man. Dweezil, though…?? I’ve read the guy was named after Frank Zappa’s wife’s pinky toe. Zappa takes weird to another level.
2. A Real-Life Game Show Host Joined the Cast
Richard Dawson, host of the popular game show "Family Feud," played the villainous Damon Killian. This was his first and only major film role, bringing an authentic game show vibe to the dystopian world.
Bonus Rad Fact: Dawson's character was originally supposed to die by being eaten by alligators, but the scene was cut due to budget constraints.
3. The Film's Dystopian Future Is Now Our Past
The Running Man is set in the years between 2017-2019, which seemed like a distant future when the film was released in 1987. While we don't have deadly game shows (yet), the movie's themes of media manipulation and reality TV feel eerily prescient.
Also, the movie was made long before reality TV competitions like Survivor and Alone were part of reality culture. The Running Man gave us a dark glimpse into a dystopian future where game shows pit contestants in life-or-death challenges. When I think about where we are going with reality shows, I don’t think a life or death show is something we won’t ever see. Maybe not in our lifetime, but quite possibly in our children’s lifetime.
4. Stephen King Wasn't a Fan
The movie is based on Stephen King's novel, which he wrote under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. King wasn't thrilled with the adaptation, feeling it strayed too far from his original story. And the truth is, it did.
The book presents a much darker, grittier dystopia where Ben Richards voluntarily joins the game show out of desperation to provide for his sick daughter. The game itself is vastly different - instead of being confined to an arena, Richards is given a head start and must survive for 30 days while being hunted across the country, with the public encouraged to report sightings. The book's ending is far bleaker, with Richards ultimately sacrificing himself to destroy the Games Corporation's headquarters. In contrast, the movie adapts this into a more action-oriented, satirical spectacle set in a flashy arena, with Schwarzenegger's Richards framed and forced to participate, ultimately triumphing over the corrupt system in a more conventionally heroic manner.
Bonus Rad Fact: King wrote the entire first draft of the novel in just 72 hours! He polished it up in a month and submitted it.
5. People Forgot, Jesse Ventura Became Governor!
‘ello govna! (Always wanted to say that to an actual governor… with British accent, of course! 😜🤣) Jesse Ventura, who played Captain Freedom in the film, later became the Governor of Minnesota, can you believe that?
Ventura, a Minneapolis native, graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1969. His military career included six years in the Navy, with four years of active duty and two in the Naval Reserves. As a Vietnam veteran, Ventura served as part of the elite Underwater Demolition Team 12, which was a precursor to the modern Navy SEALs. This background in special operations would later contribute to his tough-guy image in his entertainment and political career.
6. The Running Man’s Stalker ‘Sub-Zero’ Was Played by a Real Wrestling Legend
One of the most memorable stalkers in The Running Man is Sub-Zero, the hockey-stick-wielding gladiator. What many might not know is that Sub-Zero was portrayed by professional wrestler Professor Toru Tanaka (Charles J. Kalani Jr.), a real-life legend in the wrestling world. Tanaka had an extensive wrestling career spanning from the 1960s to the 1980s, where he earned a reputation for his intense presence and martial arts-inspired fighting style.
One of his wrestling gimmicks was throwing ceremonial salt into his opponents' eyes after "blessing" each corner of the ring—then, finishing them off with a heel kick!
Bonus Rad Fact: Kalani Jr. was also Buxton’s butler in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure!
7. The Film's Prophetic Technology
The Running Man featured video manipulation technology that seemed far-fetched in 1987 but is commonplace today. The ability to digitally insert people into footage foreshadowed modern deepfake technology.
8. A New Running Man for a New Era
While not a direct sequel, The Running Man is getting a modern reimagining. Directed by Edgar Wright and starring Glen Powell, this new adaptation promises to be closer to King's original novel. Set in a dystopian America of 2025, it will follow Ben Richards as he participates in a deadly reality show to save his ill daughter.
Powell, known for his roles in Top Gun: Maverick and the romantic comedy Anyone But You, brings fresh star power to the franchise. With Wright's unique visual style and storytelling prowess, this reimagining could introduce The Running Man to a whole new generation of fans.
What do you all think? Could this sequel reimagining be a good thing? I like Glen Powell and thought he was fantastic in Hitman. While I’m not a fan of remakes or sequels to 80s and 90s franchises, Edgar Wright has been behind some really fun films, including Shaun of The Dead, Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
Rad Bonus Fact: Arnold Schwarzenegger ad-libbed many of his one-liners in the original film, including the famous "I'll be back" line, which became his catchphrase after Terminator.
What did you think of all of these rad facts about The Running Man? Are you a fan of the movie? If so, what’s your favorite scene?
8 Rad Things You Probably Didn't Know About 'The Running Man' Just In Time For A Sequel