The Writers Panel The Running Man
Nov 18, 2025
Edgar Wright, acclaimed writer-director known for hits like Baby Driver, joins forces with Michael Bacall, co-writer of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, to explore their adaptation of Stephen King's The Running Man. They share insights on crafting readable and engaging scripts, the importance of character-driven stories, and the challenges of addressing contemporary themes. Edgar discusses the balance of charm and rage in the protagonist and their collaborative process. Listen in for their unique perspectives on world-building and cinematic storytelling!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
A Fan's Dream Lands In Their Inbox
- Edgar Wright read The Running Man as a teenager and visualized a different movie than the 1987 adaptation.
- When producer Simon Kimberg emailed with the rights, the project suddenly became possible and Edgar called Michael Bacall immediately.
Make Action Scripts Extremely Readable
- Keep ambitious scripts concise and highly readable to persuade studios and collaborators.
- Put dense world-building into separate documents, storyboards, or concept art rather than the shooting script.
Write Lean: Ask 'Is There A Shorter Way?'
- Always ask if there's a shorter way to say a line or description and cut ruthlessly.
- Use minimalist, active prose to keep pages turning and story momentum constant.
