<figure class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_172283" style="width: 350px;"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-172283">Glen Powell, left, and Josh Brolin star in Paramount Pictures’ “THE RUNNING MAN.” | © 2025 PARAMOUNT PICTURES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</figcaption></figure>

For a bad guy on screen, Glen Powell found a surprisingly nice guy off camera while taking on one of his most intense roles yet in the new adaptation of The Running Man. Powell stars as a contestant battling for survival on a lethal reality-TV competition, but says the dynamic behind the scenes was completely different from the tension audiences will see in the film.

For a Bad Guy on Screen Josh Brolin Was Nothing Like That on Set

In the film, Josh Brolin steps into the antagonist role, a part he has perfected over the years with his long list of memorable villain characters. However, Glen Powell revealed there was no method-acting tension between them. Brolin wasn’t menacing at all. For a bad guy on screen, his off-camera manner was surprisingly friendly.

According to Powell, the man who plays the bad guy character is actually one of the nicest people he has ever worked with. The contrast between their on-camera rivalry and their off-camera friendship made the experience even more enjoyable for both actors.

Click on the media bar below to hear Glen Powell talk about their experience making The Running Man and why Brolin surprised him on set. For Powell, meeting the “bad guy” behind the role was an unexpected pleasure.

The 1987 Film Arnold Schwarzenegger Led the Original Adaptation

The first movie adaptation arrived in 1987, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Ben Richards. That version took major liberties with Stephen King’s novel (written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman), leaning heavily into futuristic action and satire. It was directed by Paul Michael Glaser, best known to many fans from Starsky & Hutch.

The cast also included Maria Conchita Alonso, Yaphet Kotto, Richard Dawson as the villainous game-show host, and Jesse Ventura. Over time, the film built a cult following thanks to its over-the-top action, colorful “stalker” villains, and sharp commentary on entertainment culture.

The Running Man Now Playing in Theaters With a Standout Villain Performance

The new adaptation of The Running Man is now playing nationwide, bringing action, tension, and a fresh take on the classic story with Glen Powell and Josh Brolin delivering standout hero-and-villain energy as they lead the charge in a riveting portrayal of roles, including the challenge of capturing “for a bad guy” essence in acting.

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