Hollywood’s Best-Kept Secret: The Running Man’s Producer Had No Idea It Was a Stephen King Story

 

The producer of 1987’s The Running Man was shocked to learn the dystopian thriller was written by Stephen King under a secret pen name—and that’s why the rights were so expensive!

 

 

                Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former governor of California, and Stephen King

 

 

 

The Running Man’s Hidden Origins: A Stephen King Surprise

When producer Rob Cohen (The Fast and the Furious) sought the rights to adapt The Running Man in the 1980s, he had no idea he was actually dealing with Stephen King—one of the most successful authors of all time.

The 1987 sci-fi action film, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, was based on a novel credited to Richard Bachman, a little-known writer whose books had a cult following. What Cohen didn’t realize? Bachman was King’s secret alter ego—and that’s why the rights came with a hefty price tag.

 

Why Did Stephen King Use a Pseudonym?

King, already famous for Carrie and Salem’s Lot, created the Bachman persona to:

·        Avoid oversaturating the market with too many books under his own name.

·        Test his work’s merit without the bias of his established fame.

·        Pay homage to his love of classic rock (the name was inspired by Bachman-Turner Overdrive).

The secret held until 1985, when a sharp-eyed bookseller in Washington, D.C., noticed stylistic similarities between Bachman and King. Once exposed, King "killed off" Bachman—claiming the author "died of exposure"—but posthumous releases continued.

 

From Bachman to Schwarzenegger: How The Running Man Changed

The original 1982 novel was a dark, desperate tale where:

·        The protagonist, Ben Richards, volunteers for the deadly game show to save his sick daughter.

·        The game spans 30 days, with Richards evading assassins across the country.

·        The ending is bleak, with Richards sacrificing himself in a final act of defiance.

 

The 1987 film, however, took major liberties:

·        Schwarzenegger’s Richards is framed and forced into the game.

·        The timeline shrinks from a month to a single night.

·        The tone shifts from grim dystopia to WWE-style spectacle, complete with puns and over-the-top villains.

Screenwriter Steven E. de Souza (Die Hard, 48 Hrs.) admitted:

"Cohen was wondering why the rights were so expensive… He had no idea it was King!.

 

The Legacy of The Running Man: Remakes and Rediscovery

·        2025 Remake: Edgar Wright’s upcoming adaptation starring Glen Powell promises to be closer to King’s novel, with a grittier tone and a nationwide manhunt format.

·        Cultural Impact: The 1987 film predicted reality TV obsession, deepfake technology, and media manipulation—themes eerily relevant today.

 

Final Thought

What started as a publishing ruse became one of Hollywood’s most surprising adaptations. While King disowned the 1987 film, its cult status—and the upcoming remake—prove The Running Man’s dystopian vision still captivates audiences.

Did you know about the Bachman-King connection? Share your thoughts below