Steven de Souza Discusses Glen Powell’s “Running Man” Reboot Failure
The recent release of Glen Powell’s reboot of “The Running Man” has generated significant conversation following its disappointing box office performance. The movie, distributed by Paramount Pictures and directed by Edgar Wright, debuted over the weekend, earning $16.5 million domestically and totaling $28 million worldwide.
Box Office Performance
“The Running Man” is an adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novel, which also inspired the 1987 film featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The original movie grossed approximately $38 million at the box office, equivalent to $109 million today. Despite high expectations, the new version landed in second place during its opening weekend.
Steven de Souza’s Insights
Steven E. de Souza, the screenwriter of the original 1987 film, shared his thoughts on the new adaptation with El-Balad. He pointed out that some critiques mirror the reviews that criticized the ending of the original movie. Although he has read the script of the new version, he has yet to view the finished film.
De Souza expressed optimism about the new adaptation’s potential. “On paper, they got the ending working,” he remarked, noting that even favorable reviews mention its weak conclusion. He emphasized the challenge that adaptations face in modifying the source material’s darker ending to fit a more commercially viable narrative.
Comparative Analysis of Adaptations
De Souza compared the two adaptations, stating, “Both the ’87 version and this version tweak the ending similarly, albeit with a smaller budget for our film.” His experience highlights the difficulties of translating complex narratives from page to screen.
Gender Representation in Film Marketing
Discussing the film’s marketing strategy, de Souza noted that it may have alienated potential female viewers. He referenced an analysis indicating that the audience was predominantly male, which could have affected the film’s reach. Critics like David Rooney have highlighted its action and adrenaline but criticized the overall impact as feeling “hollow.” The movie currently holds a 65 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Future Perspectives
Despite the mixed reception, de Souza remains hopeful and sees value in audience engagement with both films. He noted, “I was rooting for this project because increased viewership may encourage people to revisit the original.”
In closing, de Souza expressed perplexity over the negative sentiment some creatives feel about reboots. “I would never be upset,” he said, revealing his stance on embracing revisited narratives in the film industry.
