With the release of the new version of The Running Man in theaters, one of the questions that fans have been asking is whether Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred in the original 1987 version, made a cameo appearance in the remake.
The 2025 adaptation offers a fresh new take on the beloved Stephen King dystopian novel, which stars Glen Powell and is directed by Edgar Wright. Schwarzenegger notably gave his blessing to the new version and passed the baton to Powell as this generation's Ben Richards. But does this also mean that he has a cameo appearance in the new film?
Did Arnold Schwarzenegger Make a Cameo in The Running Man Remake?
Despite the speculation from some fans, Schwarzenegger did NOT make a physical cameo appearance in the newly released remake of The Running Man.
However, his likeness still made an appearance in the film as his photo was used as the face of the $100 bill in the movie's universe. In other words, Schwarzenegger exists in the world of the new Running Man as the President of the United States.
Wright shared in one of his recent social media posts that Schwarzenegger approved the usage of his likeness in the film, and they gifted him a giant-sized copy of the fictional $100 bill as a token of appreciation for his support.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Wright explained why he decided to use Schwarzenegger as the face of the $100 bill in the film.
"We thought of it as an alternate reality where they changed the rules so people born outside the United States could run for president," he said.
He also added that it was intended to be a homage to the original 1987 film, and it was also an inside joke between the people involved in the making of the new movie.
"I thought it was a nice little nod [to the ‘87 film]. [Co-writer] Michael Bacall had written the idea about a new currency, “new dollars,” into the script. You only see the Arnold one in closeup, but we did all of the bills with different presidents," he said.
"And I have to give credit to [screenwriter] Daniel Waters. It’s a shared joke with the Demolition Man universe. In Demolition Man, they mention President Schwarzenegger, so it’s my little shout-out to both Arnie and Daniel Waters."
What is The Running Man About?
The Running Man follows Ben Richards, desperate to save his sick daughter, who decides to join a game show where contestants, allowed to go anywhere in the world, are pursued by "Hunters" hired to kill them.
Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite — and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters but a nation addicted to watching him fall.
Aside from Powell, the star-studded cast includes William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, Michael Cera, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin.
Keep it locked on Epicstream: Your go-to site for film, TV, and celebrity coverage!