Tom Cruise Told Glen Powell to ‘Film Yourself’ Sprinting for ‘The Running Man’: ‘You Don’t Look as Cool as You Think You Do’

In preparing for his role in Paramount’s upcoming thriller “The Running Man,” Glen Powell says his first call was to his mentor, Tom Cruise, who is also well known for his running style. Powell said on Thursday at CinemaCon that he was advised, “film yourself running as soon as possible. You don’t look as cool as you think you do,” which got a big laugh from the audience.

“The Running Man” star joined director Edgar Wright and cast members Josh Brolin and Colman Domingo to discuss the upcoming action thriller (production wrapped last week) and the theatrical experience, in conversation with Rotten Tomatoes editor Jacqueline Coley.

Powell said his enthusiasm for cinema was elevated further from watching his friend Cruise. “He’s a guy that doesn’t hide his excitement about what this means, you know, the theatrical experience, and working hard and investing and putting your body on the line to entertain audiences.”

Wright received applause when he shared his own love of the cinema, saying “as a director, I’m an audience member first and foremost. To make films you have to be the audience as well.”

He added, “What I think as a filmmaker, is you are always chasing that electric fleeling that you had watching a film [in a theater with an audience.]” The director related that his first cinema experience, at a very young age, was “Star Wars.” “You remember the imprint in your brain when you saw that film with a packed house.”

Brolin also remembered visiting the cinema as a child and the “profound impact” of seeing a movie in a theater. “It’s a personal experience and when the lights go down, you are available to the power of story. I don’t think anything can replace that.”

“The Running Man” is an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel of the same name. Powell, who plays reluctant Running Man game show contestant Ben Richards, related that he got into “bullet prooof shape, just knowing I was going to have to take some hits. But I don’t think I fully prepped myself for what we tackled on this one. … When you’re falling and you’re hitting the ground and you’re really doing it, the audience feels that.”

In the film, Domingo portrays Running Man show host Bobby Thompson, and the actor says in this adaptation, the character will have more “razzle dazzle, a bit more showmanship.” He adds that show “serves a function for entertainment. It’s like leaning into all the things that we see now, reality television.” Brolin plays the show’s producer, Dan Killian.

Powell’s dog Brisket was on set during production, though the actor stopped short of sharing in what capacity. Quipped Wright, “Brisket has not yet signed his contract.”