As our own world continues to feel increasingly dystopian, it’s no surprise that dark sci-fi stories have proliferated, from Squid Games to The Hunger Games.
As our own world continues to feel increasingly dystopian, it’s no surprise that dark sci-fi stories have proliferated, from Squid Games to The Hunger Games.
So it’s fitting, then, that for his next film, director Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver) is adapting the ’80s novel The Running Man—written by Stephen King under the pseudonym Richard Bachman—a dystopian action-adventure set in…. 2025.
In it, due to a global economic collapse, America has descended into a totalitarian police state (sound familiar?) where the government controls media and censors all other art (yeesh, this is really hitting close to home, huh?). The most popular TV program is the titular reality show, where enemies of the state earn their freedom if they can survive a month-long televised hunt.
Even if the story takes a cynical view of our so-near-it’s-practically-here future, at least the future’s looking pretty queer?
Newly minted superstar Glen Powell (Twisters, Hit Man) will play the protagonist, Ben Richards, who volunteers for the game in order to make money for his family. And, per the latest announcement, out Oscar nominee Colman Domingo has joined the cast as the charismatic host of “The Running Man,” the show within the movie.
Domingo’s far from the only LGBTQ+ actor lending their talents to the film. Love Lies Bleeding breakout Katy O’Brian will play a fellow contestant, while everyone’s crush Lee Pace will play one of the skilled hunters tracking our heroes down. Plus, beloved Will & Grace icon Sean Hayes will co-star in an undisclosed role.
With an utterly stacked cast of queer stars, Edgar Wright’s The Running Man—slated for theatrical release on November 7—has quickly climbed our list of must-see movies for 2025.
But the question remains: Will the film itself be queer?
