Stephen Kingmovies are often some of the biggest genre films that up-and-coming and established actors can be part of. Over the years, we’ve seen everyone from Tom Hanks, Matthew McConaughey, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Johnny Depp jump aboard one of Hollywood’s adaptations of the author’s works. It’s no surprise that King’s movies continue to attract major talent.
In the last few years, stars such as Mark Hamill, Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Zac Efron, Sophie Thatcher, and Theo James have been involved in movies using King’s writing as a source material.Stephen King’s upcoming movieswill add to that list, with Glen Powell being the latest notable name to headline an adaptation.
Powell is attached as the lead of Edgar Wright’s remake ofThe Running Man. He’s taking over the lead role of Ben Richards, previously played by Schwarzenegger in 1987.The Running Manis coming out this November, and the combination of its leading man, director, and source material makes it wildly exciting.
Yet, the new Stephen King movie is also a big test for Powell. He was cast in the movie in August 2024, following hit after hit, either critically or financially (or both in several cases). Itpositioned Glen Powell as Hollywood’s next go-to A-list star, and that makesThe Running Mana huge test for him.
Glen Powell Has Become A Box Office Star In Recent Years
Twisters Was A Big Test Case
I’ve been a fan of Powell’s for years thanks toEverybody Wants Some!!and hoped he’d one day break out in a huge capacity as a box office star. While he was a supporting player in financial hits likeThe Dark Knight Rises,The Expendables 3, andHidden Figures, none of those movies really succeeded financially because of him.
Judging byTop Gun: Maverick’s $1.4 billion performance, more people got to see his charisma than ever before
The true origin of Glen Powell as a box office star begins withTop Gun: Maverick. That movie might belong to Tom Cruise, but Powell stole the show for many viewers. He immediately became someone audiences wanted to see more of. Judging byTop Gun: Maverick’s $1.4 billion performance, more people got to see his charisma than ever before.
This immediately connected to the success of his and Sydney Sweeney’s rom-com,Anyone But You. The movie, released the following Christmas, had a strong viral marketing campaign, boosted by internet curiosity about a real love blooming between the co-stars.
Anyone But Youdidn’t look like a potential box office hit upon its release, as its opening weekend tanked. Yet, the movie had incredibly strong legs and played very well internationally, allowing it to finish with a $220 million box office total.
$1.4 billion
$21.4 million
Anyone But You(2023)
$220 million
$327 million
75% Critics / 90% Audiences
Anyone But Youwas Powell’s first real box office hit as a lead or co-lead. WhileHit Mandidn’t get the chance to be a box office performer after Netflix bought the acclaimed romance/comedy/thriller, the actor maintained his momentum in theaters withTwisters' release last July.
He headlined the continuation of theTwisterfranchise with Daisy Edgar-Jones.His appeal with audiences undoubtedly played a part inTwistersmaking $372 millionworldwide. It was on the back ofTwisters' box office successthat Powell then got the lead role inThe Running Man.
The Running Man Is A Big Test For Glen Powell At The Box Office
Can He Be A Hit-Making Man Again?
It’s clear from the timing of Powell’s casting inThe Running Manthat his box office run is a big reason why he got the part. He’s a very talented and charming actor who can do action, romance, and more, butParamount is certainly counting on him to put butts in seats this November.
The paper pitch forThe Running Manwould leave many to assume it would have a simple path to success. A rising star like Powell, the sci-fi genre, and utilizing the work of someone as renowned as King sounds like a good start for any movie to become a hit, as long as its good.
Yet,Stephen King movies don’t have the best track record at the box office. 2019’sIt: Chapter Twois the last one to be an undeniable financial success. The other movies that have come recently have not done that well, even when they have rave reviews, a big-name star, and a known director, as was the case forThe Life of Chuck.
That makesThe Running Mana pivotal moment for Powell in his quest to become a legitimate box office draw. There is plenty of room for the movie to go wrong and not live up to box office expectations. EvenSchwarzenegger’sThe Running Manonly managed to make $38 millionalmost 40 years ago.
The performance of 2025’sThe Running Mandoesn’t solely rest on Powell’s shoulders. He’s got a great cast around him. Paramount’s marketing campaign will play a big role too, as will Wright’s direction. But, the movie is certainly going to be sold around Powell first and foremost.
IfThe Running Mancrushes it at the box office, he’ll be a certified A-list star Hollywood can lean on
That is why the film’s box office performance could be so telling regarding how bright Glen Powell’s star is shining. IfThe Running Mancrushes it at the box office, he’ll be a certified A-list star Hollywood can lean on for many more blockbuster hits to come.
There’s no information on whatThe Running Manneeds to make at the box office to be a guaranteed hit, but a $200 million gross or above should do the trick.
Hollywood Is Counting On Glen Powell To Achieve A-List Status
He’s Got A Lot Of Upcoming Movies
WhileThe Running Manis still months away from having its fate determined, Hollywood isn’t waiting to see how the movie does.The industry has already anointed Glen Powell as the next go-to, under-40 male movie starwho can carry major productions and drive people to theaters.
Powell has a number of big projects in various stages of development for afterThe Running Man. He’s already filming a new sci-fi movie with J.J. Abrams. He’s also set to headline a new comedy thriller fromEmily the Criminal’s director. Powell also has a John Lee Hancock legal thriller, a Barry Jenkins sci-fi thriller, a Judd Apatow comedy, and aRon Howard firefighter moviein development.
The rising star is alsoset to come back forTop Gun 3and reprise his role as Hangman. He’s also likely to be part of aTwisterssequel, which has yet to be officially announced, but should happen.Powell also has an erotic thriller in developmentat Legendary. That gives Glen Powell nine upcoming movies of various genres.
It’s clear that Hollywood believes Glen Powell will achieve A-list status and become one of the rare modern movie stars.All these movies are hoping to capitalize on one of the hottest names in the industryto help them all become successful. Now it’s up to Powell to deliver, and I really hope he does.
Everyone, even an A-lister, has box office disappointments for one reason or another
There’s almost no world where every single one of these delivers. Everyone, even an A-lister, has box office disappointments for one reason or another.Powell just needs to make sure his hits are more common than his misses. If he can do that, he’ll be the star Hollywood is desperately looking for and be well-positioned for continued success.
The Running Man Needs To Break A 6-Year Streak To Be A Box Office Hit
Circling back around toThe Running Man, the movie’s chances of easily topping box office charts and solidifying Glen Powell’s status are not guaranteed. It’ll need to do what Stephen King movies haven’t done in six years to have a realistic path to success.
That’s becauseit’s been that long since a Stephen King movie made over $100 million at the box office. Mike Flanagan’sDoctor Sleepcame the closest, but it still topped out at $72 million worldwide. That wasn’t great considering the movie cost $45 million to make.
In fact, only one Stephen King movie has been financially profitable since 2019’sIt: Chapter Two. That movie was this year’s horror comedyThe Monkey, which made $68 million off a smartly reduced $10 million budget.
It’s unconfirmed whatThe Running Man’s budget is at the moment. Edgar Wright’s movies are usually modestly priced, withScott Pilgrim vs. the Worldhis only production over $50 million, sothere’s a good chance he and Paramount kept this sci-fi King movie well under $100 million.
That’d be great for the film if Powell can help it become the first Stephen King adaptation to make over nine figures at the box office this decade. IfThe Running Mangoes well beyond that total, then Hollywood should feel safe about all the stock they’ve put in Glen Powell’s stardom.
