- Glen Powell revealed he had to be personally approved by Stephen King for the lead role in the upcoming remake of ‘The Running Man’.
- King’s crucial decision depended entirely on his viewing of Powell’s recent performance in the film ‘Hit Man’.
- The actor described the overnight wait for the legendary author’s verdict as a “terrible” and stressful experience.
- Director Edgar Wright also admitted to feeling “nerve-wracking” pressure while waiting for King to approve his script.
A Nightmare Audition After the Fact
For most actors, the audition is the most stressful part of the job. For Glen Powell, the real test came after he thought he had already landed his next major role. The star of the upcoming Edgar Wright-directed adaptation of ‘The Running Man’ revealed the harrowing story of how his casting was ultimately left in the hands of one man: Stephen King.
Speaking at New York Comic Con alongside Wright, Powell detailed the moment his excitement turned to anxiety. After being offered the role by the director, his celebration was cut short by a daunting caveat.
The Ultimate Test
“Edgar offered me this movie, and I was like, ‘Yes.’ I’m like, ‘Let’s go…’” Powell explained. “And then, like, later that night [Edgar says], ‘By the way, like, you have to be approved by Stephen King. He’s gonna watch Hit Man tonight.’”
The realization set in that his performance in the recently acclaimed film ‘Hit Man’ was now a make-or-break audition for the King of Horror himself. Powell didn’t mince words about the experience: “And so I had to wait overnight for Stephen King to watch Hit Man and hope that I still had the role in the morning. It’s terrible.”
Why King’s Opinion Matters
Given Stephen King’s history of publicly voicing his displeasure with past adaptations of his work, it’s understandable that he would want a say in the casting for a new take on his classic story. For an actor, however, waiting for a verdict from one of the world’s most famous and discerning authors is a uniquely stressful position.
A Director’s Anxiety
Powell wasn’t the only one feeling the pressure. Director Edgar Wright confessed that he also had a nail-biting experience waiting for King’s approval on the screenplay.
“Stephen King read the screenplay before we started filming, and you know, Stephen King, he’s like the most famous English teacher in history,” Wright said. “I was like, ‘This is so nerve-wracking to have to hand in our homework to [him].’”
Vindication and Approval
Fortunately for everyone involved, King’s response was positive. He approved of Powell’s performance in ‘Hit Man’, gave the script his blessing, and has since seen the completed version of ‘The Running Man’, offering it a “strong endorsement.” While the wait may have been agonizing, the team can now move forward with the ultimate seal of approval.
Image Referance: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/glen-powell-offered-running-man-151332803.html