‘The Running Man’: Edgar Wright on His Most Ambitious Film
Director Edgar Wright reflects on creating his most expensive and challenging movie yet, The Running Man, including an intense shoot involving Glen Powell braving freezing conditions nearly naked.
Filming in Extreme Conditions
Glen Powell, wearing only a towel, is suspended eight stories above ground in the freezing air of Bulgaria. Meanwhile, Edgar Wright watches from below, dressed warmly and sipping espresso. The shoot took place in February, amid the coldest and longest production Wright has ever experienced. A recent blizzard had covered the country in snow.
The Scene and the Story
Powell plays a contestant on a game show where survival is paramount, in Wright's adaptation of Stephen King's dystopian novel. His character escapes deadly hunters by jumping out of a hotel window and rappelling down a building while barely clothed.
“It’s always temporary pain for eternal cinematic glory,” Powell joked about the physically demanding scene.
Wright’s Directing Style
Known for quirky, genre-blending films like Hot Fuzz and Baby Driver, Wright is dedicated to meticulously choreographing action scenes and capturing the perfect shot. For this film, he kept the camera focused tightly on Powell, who remained harnessed and hanging for 30 minutes as the camera was repositioned.
Summary
This shoot exemplifies Wright's commitment to cinematic excellence, pushing physical limits and technical precision to bring Stephen King's vision to life.
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