After four decades in Hollywood, acclaimed actor Josh Brolin is finally realizing a long-held ambition: starring in his first Stephen King adaptation. The Oscar-nominated performer brings his talents to the dystopian thriller The Running Man, marking a significant milestone in his extensive career.
A Childhood Dream Realized
Josh Brolin hasn't yet met literary legend Stephen King, but he's hoping that opportunity will come. The actor, who made his film debut in 1985's The Goonies, expresses profound admiration for the horror master's influence on his creative journey.
"I'm such a fan of Stephen King. He's had such an indelible mark on me as a lover of film," Brolin reveals. "I loved The Shining, and I know Stephen doesn't like the first Shining and Kubrick, but I loved The Shining and Christine. There are so many experiences I had as a youngster, not only reading his books, but watching his movies... he's the guy on the throne."
Based on King's 1982 novel and directed by Edgar Wright, The Running Man transports audiences to a dystopian future where Glen Powell plays a desperate father who participates in a deadly reality show. Contestants must outrun murderous hunters for the chance to win millions, creating a chilling commentary on modern entertainment and social inequality.
Playing the Villainous Executive
Brolin takes on the role of a smarmy television executive who pushes for increasingly brutal kills to boost ratings. The 57-year-old actor describes his character as "an amalgamation of people I've met, not just TV executives; rich billionaires, too."
This portrayal represents another strategic choice in Brolin's ongoing effort to surprise audiences with diverse roles. 2025 has already seen the actor appear as a desperate father in Zach Cregger's dark thriller Weapons, and he's set to play a charismatic priest in the latest Knives Out mystery later this month.
"But this is a very different type of villain," Brolin emphasizes about his Running Man character. "I would hate the idea of it feeling like I'm doing the same thing over and over. Once I start doing that, please send me an email and I'll get out of this business."
Collaborating with New Generation Talent
Brolin expresses particular enthusiasm for working with co-star Glen Powell, who carries the film's leading role. "He's so cool in this movie and it's just the choices that he's making. He's making the right choices," Brolin observes.
The veteran actor places Powell among an impressive new generation of performers he's recently worked with, including Jacob Elordi, Timothee Chalamet, Florence Pugh, and Zendaya. "They are all showing up," Brolin notes. "It's a great new generation of actors and Glen is one of the top dudes."
Brolin also praises director Edgar Wright's unique talents. "Edgar's so good about exploiting the absurdities of people and the human condition," he says. "But I think the thing Edgar is really good at is not only making great entertainment, but films that are emotional and visceral as well, and I think he does that brilliantly. He just gets better and better and better."
Eerie Parallels to Modern Society
The film's premise, written by King in 1982 but set in 2025, presents unsettling parallels to contemporary society. Brolin acknowledges the eerie accuracy of the story's predictions about reality television obsession and wealth disparity.
"The weirdest part is it takes place in 2025 and it was written in 1982," Brolin reflects. "I think it's easy to root for the underdog, which is I think the default and I thank God that's the default. But then all the other stuff, you can't help but look at and wonder where we do this stuff in our own lives. What series are we watching right now where we can't wait to watch somebody fail or fall or make a mistake?"
Reflecting on Career Milestones
Brolin's conversation naturally turns to 2007, a landmark year that saw his career reach new heights with multiple critically acclaimed performances. That year included his role in No Country For Old Men at the Toronto International Film Festival, along with American Gangster, In the Valley of Elah, and Grindhouse.
"I had been around for a couple of decades," Brolin recalls. "Thank God for the Coens and Robert Rodriguez. I was making Grindhouse and the Coens came along. They don't think in terms of 'What's his value?' They just think in terms of, 'Is he right for the part?' Apparently, I was right for the part."
Heath Ledger was originally slated for the No Country for Old Men role that ultimately went to Brolin, creating a pivotal turning point in his career. "Because of that, I think other directors were like, 'Why him?' Then it became a domino effect. But I feel very lucky and I'm very grateful to have worked with the directors I have."
The Enduring Goonies Legacy
When asked about the long-rumored sequel to The Goonies, the film that launched his career forty years ago, Brolin maintains realistic expectations. "I don't know, man. I've been asked that question for the past 37 years," he says with apparent resignation.
"Who knows? These things, they write them and... it happens when it wants to happen. If it wants to happen."
The Running Man opens in theatres across Canada on November 14, offering audiences both thrilling entertainment and thought-provoking social commentary, while giving Josh Brolin the Stephen King experience he's long awaited.
