‘The Running Man’: Edgar Wright Discusses Directing His Most Ambitious Film
Director Edgar Wright shares insights on creating his most expensive movie, The Running Man, including intense scenes and receiving Stephen King's approval. Filming took place in freezing conditions in Bulgaria in February, amid harsh weather and a recent blizzard.
Challenging Filming Conditions
Glen Powell, who stars as a game-show contestant in a deadly race to survive, performed a daring scene nearly naked except for a towel. He dangled from a rope eight stories high, rappelling down a building in subzero temperatures while Wright observed from the ground, clad in a parka and sipping espresso.
“It’s always temporary pain for eternal cinematic glory,” Powell joked about enduring the cold during the shoot.
Wright’s Filmmaking Style and Dedication
Known for his quirky, genre-bending films such as Hot Fuzz and Baby Driver, Wright is meticulous in planning action sequences and committed to capturing the perfect shot. During the scene, Powell was suspended by a harness for 30 minutes while the camera was reset, reflecting Wright’s obsessive attention to detail.
About the Film
- Story: Adaptation of Stephen King’s dystopian novel.
- Setting: A lethal game show where contestants race to survive.
- Production: Longest and most expensive shoot in Wright’s career.
Author’s Summary
Edgar Wright’s The Running Man pushes cinematic limits with intense performances and meticulous direction amid extreme conditions, bringing Stephen King’s vision vividly to life.