‘Running Man‘ Writer Steven de Souza on Glen Powell Reboot‘s Box Office Performance
Los Angeles – Steven de Souza, the screenwriter behind the 1987 cult classic The Running Man, addressed the opening weekend performance of the Glen Powell-led reboot, acknowledging similarities in ending tweaks between the two films while noting budgetary constraints impacted the newer version’s execution. De Souza’s comments come as industry analysts dissect the film’s box office results and audience demographics.
the reboot, released May 24, has garnered a 65 percent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, but faced scrutiny in reviews, including The Hollywood Reporter’s assessment that it “ends up feeling hollow” despite its action. De souza revealed both versions of The Running Man adjusted the ending from the original Stephen King novella,but the 2024 film opted for a simpler approach due to financial limitations.”Maybe the third version in 2045 will stick the landing,” he quipped.
De souza also addressed observations that the film’s marketing heavily skewed towards a male audience, a point he conceded had “some validity.” He noted science fiction generally attracts a larger male viewership. Despite the opening weekend results, De Souza expressed optimism that the reboot woudl drive renewed interest in the 1987 original, creating a “win-win” scenario.
The screenwriter further shared his surprise at creatives expressing displeasure over reboots of their earlier work, stating, “That’s a reaction I can’t understand. I would never be upset.” This sentiment arrives amid ongoing debate within Hollywood regarding the value and impact of revisiting established intellectual property.