From Foundation to now, The Running Man, actor Lee Pace is as versatile as he can be. The film is a survival thriller ending with spectacle, violence, and commentary. Edgar Wright has pushed the characters of Glen Powell and Pace to an extent that moves the story in itself.
In an exclusive conversation with an Indian outlet, India Today, Pace talked about his role in the film, saying,
The reason to do a film is to work with the director, and Edgar Wright is someone I’ve been a huge fan of for years. I love his movies, and so when he called me and asked me to be a part of this, I jumped at the chance, even after he told me I would be in a mask the whole time.
He further added that,
I actually thought that was one of the fun things about the character because it gave me just a different kind of challenge to approach the character with a riddle to solve. Like how I am going to make the character clear, what choices am I going to make physically to justify that choice of a mask?
With the help of a visionary, Lee Pace has set McCone’s tone right while portraying him as an unsettling hunter.
Lee Pace Reveals What It Took to Play a Masked Assassin in The Running Man
According to Lee Pace, building McCone’s personality meant finding a relaxed and almost casual attitude toward violence. The character relates directly to entertainment, and this dark humour made the role fun to explore for the 46-year-old.
About McCone’s dual nature, Pace said that,
You follow him in reality, and then you see the weird, distorted, surreal reality of The Running Man reality TV show. You’re watching Ben Richards, and he’s the protagonist of that story. But the protagonist of The Running Man TV show, as presented by the network, is McCone and the Hunters,
This contrast reveals how easily the public can be manipulated by a controlled narrative. Pace also thinks that it is laughable enough to choose between being a runner and a hunter in such a world.
Can The Running Man Become Edgar Wright’s Next Box Office Breakout?
Edgar Wright brings a fresh, grounded approach to action, ditching flashy work in favor of real stakes and raw suspense. This realism is paired with a socially relevant dystopian narrative, which gives the film broad appeal.
The film’s production scale supports big ambitions. It’s Wright’s most expensive movie, with a $110 million budget. This also indicates Paramount Pictures is betting big on its commercial potential.
Early reactions are already favorable as the premiere generated buzz, and critics praise Wright’s blend of satire, social commentary, and action. With actors like Glen Powell, Lee Pace, Sean Hayes, and Colman Domingo, the film has earned $6,450,000 or $6.4 million to date domestically (via Box Office Mojo).
Wright’s track record also backs this up. While not all of his films are blockbusters, he has consistently built an audience. All things considered, The Running Man has the creative vision, scale, and momentum to become Wright’s biggest theatrical success yet.
What are your thoughts on the film? Let us know in the comments below!
The Running Man is currently in theatres (US).
