Arnold Schwarzenegger’s New Running Man Cameo Secretly Called Back To A Different Cult Sci-Fi Movie

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Most people know Edgar Wright’s The Running Man isn’t the first adaptation of Stephen King’s story. The 1980s film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger was a popular action movie, though it differed significantly from the book. Wright cleverly acknowledged the earlier film by including an amusing Easter egg: Schwarzenegger’s face appears on $100 bills. This is a fun nod to both the previous Running Man movie and a classic science fiction film.

I was reading an interview with Edgar Wright over at CinemaBlend, and he revealed something really cool about Baby Driver and a nod to The Running Man. Apparently, in the world of Baby Driver, Arnold Schwarzenegger actually became President! Wright explained they decided that by 2025, the rules changed to allow anyone, even those not born in the US, to run for president. So, the governor of California – who is, of course, Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, not Ben Richards from The Running Man – ended up in the White House. It’s a fun little detail that connects the two films!

Wright explained that the idea came from the movie Demolition Man. He praised writer Daniel Waters, saying Waters first made a joke about President Schwarzenegger in that film, and Wright wanted to build on that same idea.

Why The Running Man’s Arnold Schwarzenegger Joke Was Perfect

While The Running Man received mixed reactions (and currently has the lowest score of any Edgar Wright film on Rotten Tomatoes), it still has some memorable moments. The playful reference to Demolition Man is a standout, and it makes sense given Wright’s style as a director. He’s a huge movie fan and loves to include subtle nods to other films in his work. It’s likely that while making The Running Man, he was inspired by Demolition Man – another action movie set in a futuristic, troubled world – and wanted to add a funny tribute to it.

The film also served as a tribute to Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has been a strong supporter of director Edgar Wright and his team. Even though Schwarzenegger doesn’t appear in the movie, he gave his approval to Glen Powell, the actor taking on his iconic role, before filming began. He also commended Wright’s take on The Running Man, praising it for successfully capturing the spirit of Stephen King’s original story. In fact, Schwarzenegger went so far as to say he thought Wright’s version was even better than the one he starred in years ago. Given Schwarzenegger’s involvement and encouragement throughout the entire process, it’s fitting that Wright included a nod to him in the film.

You don’t need to know the movies Demolition Man or the original Running Man to find it funny to see Schwarzenegger’s face on a $100 bill. The joke works simply as a way to show how strange and different the world of The Running Man is, and what’s happening in America. It’s a great Easter egg because fans who get the reference will enjoy it, but it’s subtle enough that those who don’t won’t be confused. The joke isn’t important to the story, so you won’t miss anything if you haven’t seen Demolition Man.

It’s too bad the director couldn’t include a physical appearance by Schwarzenegger, but staying true to Stephen King’s novel made that challenging. The film is a remarkably faithful adaptation, with its only major change being a new ending. The president isn’t a character in the book, so adding him would have felt unnatural. Considering the film’s quick pace and the central role of Dan Killian as the villain, the president’s presence wasn’t necessary beyond the appearance of the new currency.

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2025-11-18 21:18