Katy O’Brian revealed that she did not watch the original *Running Man* film until after filming the remake, directed by Edgar Wright. The 36-year-old actress, who portrays Laughlin, chose this approach to maintain her performance’s authenticity. Wright informed her that his adaptation would align more closely with Stephen King’s original novel than the 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
O’Brian shared her thoughts in an interview with Deadline. She recounted, “When Edgar offered me the part, I was like, ‘Yeah, whatever it is, let’s do it.’ He’s like, ‘Have you ever heard of *The Running Man*?’ I’m like, ‘Nope, never, no idea.'” The actress expressed her desire to avoid any potential influences from the earlier film, stating, “I waited until after I finished filming to watch the movie because I didn’t want it to kind of skew my performance.”
She also discussed her reaction to the character of Ben Richards, played by Glen Powell. O’Brian found the original portrayal in the book to be problematic, noting, “I kind of thought the character that Glen plays is kind of a d***. By modern standards, kind of disgusting.” She praised Wright for humanizing Richards in the script, saying, “He’s still angry but less hostile towards women. I think it was one of the main things that was shocking to me.”
Emphasizing Collaboration and Creativity
O’Brian highlighted the collaborative atmosphere that Wright fostered during the filming process. She remarked, “It was the first time reading a script where I could see that this is Edgar Wright, this is his project.” The actress appreciated the director’s unique style, which included his signature humor and musical choices throughout the script.
She also enjoyed the opportunity to engage with her fellow cast members during table reads and rehearsals. O’Brian explained, “It kind of felt like an old school way of doing things, in this modern world’s rush to get everything done.” The experience allowed her and her co-stars to ask questions and collaborate closely, which she found refreshing.
Reflecting on her scenes with Powell, O’Brian expressed enthusiasm about the fun atmosphere, stating, “We ended up having a lot of fun together.” The actress’s comments illustrate the positive dynamics on set, which contributed to a lively filming experience.
Ultimately, O’Brian’s unique approach to her role in *The Running Man* remake, coupled with Wright’s creative vision, promises to bring a fresh perspective to this adaptation of King’s work. As the film approaches its release, audience anticipation continues to build for this new interpretation of a classic story.
