The Running Man has cast a Fear the Walking Dead star in a role iconically played by Richard Dawson in the Arnold Schwarzenegger dystopian classic. Directed by Edgar Wright, The Running Man remake will see Glen Powell take on the role of Ben Richards, a participant in a deadly game that sees contestants hunted down around the world, with the survivor getting a massive cash prize. The film also stars Katy O’Brian and Daniel Ezra as contestants, Karl Glusman as a hunter, and Josh Brolin as show producer Dan Killian.
Now, Deadline has confirmed Colman Domingo has been cast as the game show host in The Running Man remake, originally played by Richard Dawson in the 1987 adaptation. The Fear the Walking Dead and Rustin star will be taking on the role, but it’s reported Brolin’s character will be the primary villain this time around. However, Domingo’s casting as the face of the games means he’ll still have a major role to play in the story as the games unfold.
What Colman Domingo’s Casting Means For The Running Man Remake

The Actor Is A Proven Talent With Plenty Of Charisma

Domingo had been on the cast of Fear the Walking Dead throughout its entire run, portraying the sly and charismatic Victor Strand. Recently, he’s been recognized for larger film roles, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in 2023 for biopic Rustin, and, most recently, a Golden Globe nomination for prison drama Sing Sing. His upcoming movie roles include Wolfe in The Electric State and Joseph Jackson in the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael. He’s also set to voice Norman Osborn in Disney+’s animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.

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The actor’s addition to The Running Man is a strong fit, especially because his role as Victor in The Walking Dead spinoff showed how well he portrays charming characters. He can harness that talent as the game show host, whose commanding presence in the original required an entrancing performance like the one Dawson gave. Domingo’s talent in Sing Sing and Rustin have already solidified him as lead actor material, meaning his role in the dystopian film has a strong chance to be just as memorable.

Domingo will also have a leading role in the Netflix comedy miniseries The Four Seasons, starring alongside Tina Fey and Steve Carell.

Our Take On Colman Domingo’s Casting In The Running Man

Can He Live Up To Dawson’s Damon Killian?

Wright’s The Running Man is pulling its story directly from Stephen King’s original novel, meaning there will be some major differences from the Schwarzenegger adaptation. This means Domingo’s game show host won’t feel the same as Dawson’s Damon Killian, especially since he won’t be the main villain either. However, it also offers the actor a fresh way of presenting the character without having to worry about comparisons, since his different role can lend itself to a fresh take on the host.
Source: Deadline

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The Running Man, released in 2025, centers on a man participating in a perilous game show where contestants evade deadly “Hunters” in a global pursuit. Set in a dystopian future, the film explores themes of survival and societal manipulation within a high-stakes televised spectacle.

Release Date

November 7, 2025

Character(s)

Ben Richards
, Uncredited
, Sheila Richards

Producers

George Linder
, Nira Park
, Simon Kinberg

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