Hollywood Reboots Schwarzenegger Classics Without the Star
Nearly four decades after their original releases, two of Arnold Schwarzenegger's most beloved action films have returned to cinemas without their iconic star. Predator: Badlands and The Running Man represent Hollywood's latest attempts to revive classic franchises for new audiences, but both face the challenge of replacing the Austrian Oak's unique screen presence.
Predator: Badlands - Spectacular But Soulless
Arriving 38 years after John McTiernan's original Predator crashed onto screens, this new instalment directed by Ben Trachtenberg of 10 Cloverfield Lane fame certainly doesn't lack for production values. With a budget exceeding $100 million, the film delivers impressive cinematography, stunning landscapes and remarkable facial special effects that push the boundaries of the BBFC's 12A certificate, especially in ear-splitting IMAX.
The story follows Elle Fanning as Thia, a damaged legless robot who teams up with Dek, a runt predator from Yautja Prime. Their mission sees them challenged to eliminate an apparently unkillable apex predator called Kalisk on the planet Genna, while Dek must impress his father and bypass his stronger brother Kwei.
Despite being based on characters created by original writers Jim Thomas and John Thomas, the film struggles to escape Schwarzenegger's shadow. The script borrows heavily from other franchises, with noticeable nods to Lord of the Rings, Wolverine, Transformers, Mad Max and John Wick. The weapons resemble glow-edged machetes rather than traditional lightsabers, adding a brutal edge to the creature-warfare violence.
While the film establishes a compelling new world where everything seems determined to kill something else, it's frequently let down by repetitive action sequences and clunky subtitles translating a made-up language. The sequel tease suggests better battles may lie ahead, but for now, Predator: Badlands feels like it's missing the wisecracking heart that made the original so memorable.
The Running Man - Relevant But Overlong
Glen Powell steps into Schwarzenegger's shoes in this reboot of the 1987 thriller, itself based on a 1982 Stephen King novel. Fresh from his success in Top Gun: Maverick, Powell appears to be positioning himself as a potential successor to both Schwarzenegger and Tom Cruise in the action star hierarchy.
Edgar Wright's version expands significantly on the original, stretching to 133 minutes compared to the 101-minute original, though it carries a softer 15 certificate versus the original's 18 rating. The plot follows working-class family man Ben Richards as he reluctantly joins the cast of an unsurvivable TV show called The Running Man, hoping to win a $1 billion prize to save his daughter's life.
Josh Brolin delivers an excellent performance as show producer Dan Killan, masterminding the physical challenges that test Ben's mettle over 30 brutal days. The film's exploration of how 'bad' things mean 'good' ratings remains sharply relevant in our social media age, perhaps even more so than the original's prescient vision of gladiatorial game shows.
While the film could benefit from a stronger James Bond-style opening and more consistent plotting, several clever twists elevate the material, providing both ethical food for thought and genuine suspense. In an era where millions watch people simply existing in shows like Big Brother, Wright's take on survival entertainment offers substantial commentary alongside its action sequences.
Supporting Features and Release Details
The review also covers several other notable releases, including The Choral, a British period drama penned by 91-year-old Alan Bennett and directed by Nicholas Hytner. Set in 1916 Yorkshire, it features Ralph Fiennes as Dr Henry Guthrie forming a choir with the message 'Life is short. So sing!'
Die My Love sees Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson tackling postpartum depression in Lynne Ramsay's intense adaptation of Ariana Harwicz's novel, using a distinctive near-square 1.33:1 picture format that suits the raw material.
Predator: Badlands was released on November 7, 2025, with The Running Man following just four days later on Tuesday, November 11 - a spooky coincidence given the original films' UK releases in January and September 1988 respectively. Both films are now showing in IMAX, offering audiences the chance to judge whether these reboots can capture the magic of their predecessors without their most iconic ingredient.
