Hollywood star Glen Powell is pushing his physical limits to unprecedented levels for his upcoming role in the remake of the classic thriller The Running Man. The actor, renowned for his intense dedication to character preparation, has discovered that creating believable running sequences for cinema presents unexpected challenges that few performers master successfully.
The Unexpected Difficulty of Cinematic Running
In a recent revealing interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Powell shared his surprising journey toward mastering what appears to be one of cinema's most deceptively simple skills - running convincingly on camera. "Most people on camera do not know how to run. It is a really hard thing to do," the actor confessed, acknowledging that even experienced actors struggle with this fundamental action sequence.
The breakthrough in Powell's training came from an unexpected source - Hollywood action legend Tom Cruise. During their collaboration on Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise offered Powell crucial advice that would transform his approach to physical performance. "Film yourself running just to see what it looks like," Cruise suggested, sharing a technique that has contributed to his own renowned action sequences.
Intensive Training with Sprinting Coaches
When Powell followed Cruise's advice and reviewed his own running footage, he experienced a moment of realization. "It looked lame," he admitted frankly, prompting him to seek professional help from sprinting coaches who specialize in cinematic movement.
The training regimen that followed was both comprehensive and physically demanding. Powell revealed, "I sprinted every morning on different surfaces and really tried to make sure I was able to take corners sharply, jump off things." His coaches emphasized that authentic cinematic running extends beyond flat surfaces, requiring the body to absorb varying levels of impact and wear that differ significantly from normal athletic training.
The physical preparation took on added significance given the requirements of his role in Edgar Wright's adaptation. Powell plays a contestant in a deadly survival game who must outrun hunters for 30 consecutive days while competing for an astonishing $1 billion reward. This narrative framework means Powell will spend nearly the entire film in motion, making authentic running technique essential to both character portrayal and story credibility.
Tom Cruise's Lasting Influence and Hollywood Standards
Powell's admiration for Cruise extends beyond professional courtesy, rooted in their shared experience filming Top Gun: Maverick. During that production, Powell witnessed firsthand the discipline and technical precision that has made Cruise Hollywood's benchmark for action sequences, particularly running scenes that many industry experts consider among the most convincing in cinema history.
The sprinting coaches working with Powell confirmed what he had suspected - that Tom Cruise remains the gold standard for cinematic running in contemporary Hollywood. This validation only strengthened Powell's determination to elevate his own physical performance to meet the demanding standards of his role in The Running Man.
Under Edgar Wright's direction, known for his dynamic visual style and action-driven storytelling, Powell's intensive preparation promises to deliver one of the year's most physically authentic performances. The collaboration between Wright's visionary direction and Powell's committed physical transformation sets the stage for a thriller that balances high-stakes narrative with grounded, believable action.
The Running Man, starring Glen Powell and directed by Edgar Wright, is scheduled to hit theaters worldwide on Friday, November 14. With Powell's revelation about the unexpected complexities of cinematic running and his intensive preparation regime, the film has already generated significant anticipation among thriller enthusiasts and industry observers alike.
