Edgar Wright’s The Running Man is one of this year’s most anticipated projects, with Glen Powell leading the modern adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic story. The movie is a remake of Paul Michael Glaser’s film of the same name from 1988, which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger in the lead role as a disgraced policeman forced to participate in a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly television show.

This combination of King’s pulpy storytelling with Wright’s stylish filmmaking is sure to result in something hugely entertaining, contrasting the 80s-inspired silliness of Glaser’s original film. Wright’s The Running Man could be even better than the original if it stays loyal to King’s eccentric, often silly storytelling and really leans into the dystopian world-building that he laid out in 1982.

The Running Man Trailer Included A Sly Arnold Schwarzenegger Easter Egg

The Actor Will Officially Appear In Both Adaptations Of The Story

That being said, Wright still managed to pay homage to Glaser’s original film through a subtle Easter egg in The Running Man’s first trailer. In one brief scene in the middle of the trailer, Schwarzenegger’s face can be seen adorning the $100 bill, suggesting that he’s either the current president or a former holder of the office.

This is a very clever way of including Schwarzenegger without disrupting the timeline of events, as he clearly wouldn’t have been able to play protagonist Ben Richards again ​​​​​​since that role is now taken by Glen Powell. Since he’s not playing the same character, it makes sense that Wright would honor him with a minor cameo.

Schwarzenegger doesn’t appear in the rest of the trailer, and he’s not officially listed in the film’s cast. However, there’s every possibility that the actor’s involvement in The Running Man could stretch beyond this minor cameo. Wright is renowned for his deep-rooted love of movies, particularly those from the 1980s, so it’s entirely plausible that he brought Schwarzenegger back for a more sizable role.

Additionally, this wouldn’t be Schwarzenegger’s first time playing the President of the United States. The actor is set to play a fictional unnamed president in Kung Fury 2, though the film is indefinitely delayed due to ongoing legal disputes between the studio and the film’s investors. Schwarzenegger was also mentioned to have served as president in Demolition Man, which is a fun Easter egg that briefly predates his actual political career.