Thescreescore – Edgar Wright, the visionary director behind the upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s "The Running Man," has revealed a fascinating Easter egg that connects Josh Brolin, who plays the villainous Dan Killian, to his father, James Brolin, in a way that adds layers of meaning to the film. The connection is not just a fun fact, but a carefully considered element that foreshadows events within the narrative, particularly for those familiar with King’s source material.
In an interview with thescreescore.com, Wright explained that James Brolin appears in "The Running Man" via a clip from the 1972 film "Skyjacked," where he plays a hijacker holding a plane hostage with a grenade. The inclusion of this specific scene was not initially intended as a Brolin family nod. Wright and co-writer Michael Bacall incorporated the "Skyjacked" clip into a scene where William H. Macy’s character, Molly, a black marketeer, is watching old movies on cathode ray TVs.
The director had the clever idea of using the clip as a subtle foreshadowing device. "What if they’re watching a film that could serve as a setup or foreshadowing later?" Wright recalled thinking. The scene from "Skyjacked," with its depiction of a plane hijacking, was chosen for its thematic resonance with events in "The Running Man," particularly the ending of King’s novel, where Ben Richards (played by Glen Powell in the new film) takes hostages on a plane.
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The serendipitous casting of Josh Brolin as Killian added another layer to this Easter egg. Wright shared his surprise when he realized the connection: "And then when Josh Brolin was cast, I suddenly said to him, ‘Hey, your dad’s in the movie too,’ because James Brolin plays the hijacker in Skyjacked."
The release of "The Running Man" on November 14, 2025, promises to be a treat for fans of King’s novel and Wright’s filmmaking style. With a screenplay by Wright, Bacall, and King, and produced by George Linder, Nira Park, and Simon Kinberg, the film boasts a stellar cast, including Glen Powell and Josh Brolin. The inclusion of the "Skyjacked" clip and the Brolin family connection adds a layer of intrigue and depth to this highly anticipated adaptation.
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