'The Running Man' Makes a Perfect Thematic Sequel to the 'Gladiator' Movies
MovieWebStory by Jerome Reuter
scrn logline
As fans return to the Colosseum for 'Gladiator II', the iconic 1980s thriller 'The Running Man' emerges as a thematic companion piece starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
beat sheet
- Schwarzenegger's role in 'The Running Man' as a government-sanctioned 'runner' facing off against a brutal televised gameshow mirrors the themes of 'Gladiator' and the spectacle of the Roman arena.
- With the renewed interest in 'Gladiator' and its upcoming sequel, 'The Running Man' could see a resurgence as a cult classic that explores similar ideas of state-sanctioned violence for public entertainment.
call sheet
Arnold Schwarzenegger, 'The Running Man', Gladiator II