Stephen King Despises This Adaptation of His Novel, but Is It Really That Bad?

by

Without a doubt, Stephen King is well-known for expressing his views openly. He’s publicly criticized Stanley Kubrick’s film adaptation of “The Shining” multiple times. Similarly, he’s voiced his disapproval towards “The Lawnmower Man,” “Firestarter,” and other adaptations of his books. Another adaptation that didn’t win his favor is Paul Michael Glaser’s “The Running Man.” King was so unhappy with the final product that he requested to be excluded from the film’s promotion, a demand that TriStar Pictures eventually granted. The opening credits even attribute the film to Richard Bachman (King’s pen name for the book), rather than acknowledging King as the source of inspiration.

Stephen King expresses disappointment that the movie deviated significantly from his novel’s tone and plot, as it has transformed into something entirely distinct. The book is characterized by its raw and melancholic atmosphere, while the film presents a more cheerful and optimistic tone, culminating in a crowd-pleasing ending. However, despite these differences, both versions possess unique merits.

Stephen King Hates That The Running Man – But Is It Really That Bad?

In the movie adaptation of “The Running Man,” directed by Glaser, many of the rough and intense aspects that make the novel captivating are softened to create a high-action spectacle with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the main character. Unlike the book’s protagonist Ben Richards, who is more slender, Schwarzenegger’s portrayal is muscular and powerful. Furthermore, while the book’s Richards is a married man with an ill daughter, in the film he is a single individual falsely accused of a crime.

Reducing certain aspects significantly alters the story’s original essence, taking away some of its emotional impact. Indeed, Stephen King’s concerns seem reasonable in this context. Yet, if you view the movie independently from what it might have been or should have been, there’s a lot of enjoyment to be found instead.

Despite some doubts about the suitability of Schwarzenegger for the role, he excels as an unknowing contestant in a cruel game show titled “The Running Man.” The main character finds himself thrust into a brutal setting where he must try to outsmart deadly assassins known as stalkers who aim to end his game once and for all. Arnold appears to enjoy himself as he spits out a series of outrageous one-liners, creates a spectacle, and engages in numerous physical fights. At the same time, he exceeds expectations by surviving much longer than Damon Killian (played by Richard Dawson) anticipated.

As a fan, I can’t help but appreciate the casting of Dawson in the role of Killian even more, given his history with game shows. For over a decade, he was the charming host of “Family Feud,” a program we all adored. Now, it seems he’s reveling in the opportunity to play a somewhat sinister character, one that, while not directly linked, carries a hint of the charisma he showcased on our beloved game show.

As a cinema enthusiast, if Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “The Running Man” had remained more faithful to Richard Bachman’s original novel, it would undeniably have been a dramatically different film experience. Instead of an adrenaline-fueled action extravaganza filled with memorable one-liners and epic fight sequences, we might have been treated to a thought-provoking exploration of social injustice and government excess – a somber reflection on our society’s darker aspects. Thankfully, the story can accommodate both its high-octane and introspective versions, offering fans a unique blend of action and introspection.

Edgar Wright is at present crafting a new adaptation of ‘The Running Man’, aiming to be more faithful to the original story. This should appease both Stephen King and readers of the novel, who found the significant alterations made by screenwriter Steven E. de Souza in the 1987 film hard to accept. Wright’s version is set to premiere in cinemas on November 7th.

While Glaser’s 1987 adaptation may not closely resemble the original story, and Stephen King might not be a fan of the film, there are still many aspects to enjoy about it. If you can focus on what it offers rather than what it fails to deliver, you’re likely to find “The Running Man” an entertaining action movie.

What do you think about the movie? Does your opinion align with King’s view that it was a significant mistake, or do you find value in this film from 1987? If you’re still undecided, you can watch the movie on either Paramount+ or MGM+.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/best-stephen-king-directors-movies/embed/#

Read More

2025-07-10 02:09