A Wild Moment on Set: Glen Powell and Colman Domingo’s Unforgettable Performance
Glen Powell and Colman Domingo delivered one of the most intense and unforgettable moments of their careers during the filming of The Running Man. Their performance on set created a shift in atmosphere that left everyone, including director Edgar Wright, completely taken aback.
While working on one of the most chaotic sequences for the film, Wright witnessed the two actors bring an unexpected energy to the scene. What began as a tightly scripted moment quickly transformed into something electric—spontaneous chemistry that only happens when performers fully immerse themselves in their roles.
Let’s explore what made this moment so special and why Wright considers it one of the highlights of the entire production.
When the Cameras Started Rolling and Things Got Crazy
Edgar Wright has seen his fair share of wild moments in his filmmaking career. However, nothing could have prepared him for what happened when Glen Powell and Colman Domingo stepped onto the game show set of The Running Man. The scene was supposed to be controlled chaos, but it became something far more intense.
This particular scene involved Powell’s character, Ben Richards, being introduced to a bloodthirsty live audience. Richards is handcuffed on stage while Domingo’s character, Bobby T, incites the crowd into a frenzy. The energy in the room was unlike anything Wright had ever experienced.
Wright described how the audience “all like hurling abuse at Glen.” The atmosphere felt raw and authentic, making it seem more real than any scripted performance. It was no longer just acting—it felt like a genuine emotional response.
Wright later told People that the game show scenes became his favorite moments to film during the entire production. He explained, “It felt sort of kind of out of control in the best way.” Domingo commanded the crowd with ease, while Powell reacted with genuine emotion to the chaos surrounding him.
Domingo Takes Control Like a Master Showman
Colman Domingo understood that his role as Bobby T required more than just believability. He needed to be magnetic, charismatic, and capable of manipulating an entire room full of people. What Wright witnessed exceeded all expectations.
Wright praised Domingo, saying, “He was his own warm-up man.” Most actors rely on the crew to energize extras before filming begins, but Domingo took it upon himself to do the job. His natural charisma filled the elaborate game show set from the moment he walked in each morning.
The production used approximately 300 extras to fill the audience for the game show scenes. Domingo spent about a week filming on this massive set. Wright even announced Domingo’s BAFTA nomination while they were on stage together during production.
Wright said, “He’s in front of extras… by the end of day one.” The actor had them completely in the palm of his hand without breaking a sweat. Watching Domingo conduct the audience like a maestro became an unforgettable experience.
Powell Brings the Everyman Quality That Makes It Work
Glen Powell was not the obvious choice for a Running Man remake. The original 1987 film starred Arnold Schwarzenegger, known for his massive physique and action hero persona. Wright wanted something different for his adaptation.
Wright knew Powell before filming began, which gave him confidence in the casting decision. He said, “When his name came up in contention for it, I was so excited.” The filmmaker recognized that Powell possessed exactly what the role demanded.
The character of Ben Richards is a struggling father trying to save his sick daughter. Powell needed to convey desperation, anger, and determination while remaining someone audiences would root for. Wright explained that Powell “has this everyman quality. He’s relatable, and I think that makes the action more exciting.”
Powell also committed physically to the demanding role in ways that impressed the entire production team. He performed many of his own stunts throughout filming, including a dramatic bridge jump. The actor’s dedication to authenticity matched Domingo’s commanding presence.
Why This Scene Matters for the Film’s Success
Stephen King wrote the original 1982 novel under his Richard Bachman pseudonym. The story critiques media manipulation, class inequality, and society’s bloodlust for violent entertainment. Wright’s adaptation aims to honor those themes while delivering a modern blockbuster experience.
The game show scenes serve as the heart of that commentary. Bobby T represents the media figures who exploit human suffering for ratings and profit. Ben Richards symbolizes desperate people forced into impossible situations by systemic failures.
Wright needed those scenes to feel authentic and unsettling in equal measure. The audience should feel uncomfortable watching Bobby T manipulate the crowd so effectively. They should recognize the parallels to reality television and modern media consumption. Domingo’s performance makes that manipulation feel real, which gives the satire its bite.
The chaotic energy Wright captured also serves the film’s pacing and momentum. The game show scenes provide breaks from the running and action sequences. But they never feel like downtime because the tension remains high throughout.
The Film Arrives With High Expectations and Mixed Reception
The Running Man premiered in London on November 5, 2025, before hitting American theaters on November 14. The film stars Glen Powell, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, and Emilia Jones. Production took place across multiple locations, including London, Glasgow, and Bulgaria.
Critics responded with mixed reactions to the finished film. Rotten Tomatoes shows 65 percent positive reviews from 264 critics at the time of publication. Metacritic assigned a score of 56 out of 100 based on 52 reviews.
The box office performance proved modest with $50 million worldwide against a $110 million budget. The film opened to $16.5 million domestically, finishing second behind Now You See Me. These numbers suggest audiences were not as hungry for a Running Man remake as Paramount hoped.
Stephen King himself praised Wright’s adaptation after expressing disappointment with the Schwarzenegger version. The author called it a bipartisan thrill ride that honored his original vision. For Wright, that endorsement likely meant more than any box office numbers.
TL;DR
Edgar Wright revealed that Glen Powell and Colman Domingo’s game show scene felt beautifully out of control during filming. Domingo served as his own warm-up man and commanded 300 extras from day one on set. The scene features Powell handcuffed on stage while a hostile crowd hurls abuse at him. Wright called the game show sequences some of his favorite moments to film in the entire production. The film earned $50 million worldwide against a $110 million budget. Stephen King praised Wright’s adaptation as honoring his original novel’s vision.
