The Running Man Casts Dune & MCU Star In Villain Role

The Running Man has cast a prominent Dune and Marvel Cinematic Universe star to portray its lead villain, starring opposite Glen Powell in the remake of Stephen King’s novel. Originally written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, the dystopian novel was loosely adapted into a movie of the same name starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987. A remake of The Running Man directed by Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Last Night in Soho) is currently in development, with Powell of Top Gun: Maverick fame set to portray Ben Richards.

Now, Deadline has confirmed Josh Brolin, best known for his roles as Thanos in the MCU and Gurney Halleck in the Dune movies, will be portraying the villain of The Running Man. Details about his role are sparse, although it’s reported he’ll be portraying a producer behind the deadly reality show Powell’s Ben will be participating in. Deadline’s Justin Kroll also confirmed he won’t be portraying Richard Dawson’s Damon Killian from the previous adaptation.

Alongside him and the lead actor will be Katy O’Brien and Daniel Ezra, whose roles also remain unknown.

What Josh Brolin’s Casting Means For The Running Man Remake

The Actor Can Pull From His Past Villain Roles

One of Brolin’s most well-known roles in recent years is Thanos, the antagonistic alien who tried to wipe out half the universe’s population out of a misguided attempt to make natural resources less scarce. The complexity of this role makes him the perfect fit for an equally intriguing villain in Powell’s The Running Man remake. Much like the novel, the movie will focus on Ben willingly participating in a violent reality show in order to get enough money to pay for medicine his sick daughter desperately needs.

The premise of The Running Man remake indicates a much darker rendition than Schwarzenegger’s, which might mean a darker role for Brolin. Since some of Brolin’s best movies have the actor portraying morally gray characters, his portrayal as a producer for the reality show could be layered and nuanced, offering a different perspective on the dystopian show. Because he won’t be playing Dawson’s character from the original, there’s plenty of room for how his character gets presented, and what his overall impact on the plot will be.

Our Take On Josh Brolin Getting Cast In The Running Man

He’ll Make For An Intimidating Antagonist

Even though nothing definitive has been revealed about his character, Brolin’s acting career makes him perfect for a villain role in The Running Man. Although the movie isn’t slated for release until November 21, 2025, his early casting shows how important his casting must have been to the vision of the film. Because of this, it appears his villain will be a key element of the story, potentially one of the most difficult obstacles Ben will have to deal with as he tries to win the deadly game.

Source: Deadline