The Running Man - How Glen Powell Survived the Film

After Top Gun: Maverick, actor Glen Powell is back to pushing the limits of action in The Running Man, a new adaptation of Stephen King's novel directed by Edgar Wright. To tackle the film's spectacular stunt scenes, the actor decided to ask for advice from none other than Tom Cruise.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Powell recounted speaking with one of the greatest stuntmen of all time (alongside Jackie Chan) for over two and a half hours, receiving a true lesson on how to overcome difficulties in action films. "He explained that the key is respect for danger," Powell stated. "Behind every extreme scene are hours of preparation and discipline. It's no joke: you can really get hurt, and he knows that better than anyone."

The Real Risk That (Can) Pay Off in Theaters

Cruise also imparted a principle he considers sacred: respect for the audience. "If audiences come to see you take risks, you have to actually be there. It's a promise to those who pay for a ticket," Powell added.

A remake of Paul Michael Glaser's 1987 film, it is set in a dystopian future where a deadly reality show turns contestants into prey to be hunted live on TV. With a tone that seems to be more faithful to King's vision and action on par with Cruise's feats, the film promises many more adrenaline rushes.