Glen Powell Gets Real About the “Intense” Life of an Action Star and What Arnold Schwarzenegger Told Him Before Stepping Up

Picture this: you’re standing at the base of a skyscraper, the wind howling past your face, the cold night air biting every exposed inch of your skin… and above you, a camera rig, a half-naked star, and dozens of crew members holding their breath. That’s not a metaphor—it’s a scene from the blockbuster life now embraced by Glen Powell.

In the build-up to the release of his action-thriller The Running Man (2025), Powell peeled back the curtain on the secret whisperings of veteran action heroes — including Arnold Schwarzenegger — and what it really takes to carry the mantle of “action star” in 2025.

Let’s dive into how Powell found himself in this brand-new era of high-stakes spectacle, what the warning signs looked like from the old school masters, and what this means for him — and for the next wave of movie-star mythos.

The Legacy He Inherited

When Glen Powell accepted the lead role of Ben Richards in The Running Man, he wasn’t just signing on for another action gig. He was stepping into the boots of Schwarzenegger, who originated the character in the 1987 version.

Powell himself acknowledged this legacy. During a press appearance he recalled:

“It was funny talking with Schwarzenegger the other day… He was so excited, but he told me… every single one of my buddies who have starred in action movies told [me] this… ‘You don’t realize going in front of an action movie where… the entire world is hunting this one guy… that’s going to be intense.’”

That’s the hook: if you’re wearing the “action movie star” label, you’re stepping into a ring where the stakes are high, the audience is global, and the margin for error… is almost nonexistent.

The Warning from the Big Kids

Action stars have been planting markers for decades — from Schwarzenegger to Stallone to Cruise. And Powell listened. And paid attention.

Let’s break down the key pieces of advice Powell received:

1. “It’s going to be intense.”

Those words echoed across almost every conversation Powell had with veterans. He said his friends who had already done action-heavy films warned him that making something visceral and real requires you to go places you maybe didn’t think you’d go.

2. Physical. Emotional. All of It.

Powell said:

“It’s very, very physical. It’s very emotional. It’s all those things.”

Action isn’t just about the punches or the explosions—it’s about carrying them. Your body, your mind, your fear, your endurance—they all show up on camera or they fail you.

3. The Legacy Heed.

Before filming, Powell and director Edgar Wright reached out to Schwarzenegger, got his blessing, and even discussed the tone.

The takeaway: respect the past, but don’t be chained by it. The world has changed, and so must the hero.

The Gauntlet of Filming The Running Man

Let’s talk real-world carnage behind the scenes. Powell didn’t just stand in front of explosions—he ran into them.

According to multiple sources:

He performed stunts that required extreme physicality and endurance.

He endured a “towel scene” shot in freezing February conditions in Bulgaria. Freezing. Towel. Need I say more.

He got a crash-course in “how not to die” from none other than Tom Cruise, including a two-and-a-half-hour phone call before shooting kicked off.

All this translates to a metaphor: The hero isn’t born on screen; he is molded in freezing wind tunnels, late nights, broken sets, and the ghosts of what-if. The audience sees the explosion; the actor lives the motion-blur aftermath.

Powell reflected:

“I’m constantly scared. I just say yes a lot to things that scare me.”

In other words: the path to big-screen heroism? It starts with saying “yes” to your fear.

Why It Matters in 2025

You might say: “Okay, so it’s hard. Big deal.” But let’s unpack why “action star intense” matters now more than ever.

Global market demands – With streaming and global releases, action movies aren’t just domestic box-office plays—they’re world-wide spectacles. The quality bar has risen.

Audience sophistication – People know when a stunt is fake. They can smell CGI shortcuts. The days of “good enough” are gone.

Legacy vs. reinvention – The Running Man isn’t just a remake—it’s a fresh spin on the source material (Stephen King’s 1982 novel). Powell’s stepping into something that has history, and fans expect something new.

Personal branding – Powell’s transition from rom-com/heartthrob roles into full-blown action lead is a shift. This demands toughness—on screen and off.

So when Schwarzenegger and others warned him, they weren’t tripping—they knew the terrain they were inviting him into. And Powell understood: you don’t just show up. You stand up—all in.

What Arnold Really Meant

What did Schwarzenegger really mean when he said, “This one’s going to be something. It’s going to be intense”?

Let’s decode:

Intensity of scale: The Running Man’s premise is world-wide hunting, high stakes, public spectacle. That itself ramps up the intensity.

Intensity of performance: You aren’t the backup. You’re front row. Every reaction, every fall, every breath counts.

Intensity of expectation: For Powell, he carries not only his own reputation—but the legacy of a beloved action classic.

Think of it like climbing a mountain your hero already climbed. You can admire the peak, but you still have to climb it yourself. And the view from the top only means something if you did the hike.

What Powell Learned—and What We Learn Alongside Him

From his journey so far, here are lessons that transcend the industry and apply to any high-stakes pursuit:

Seek the mentorship

He didn’t wing it alone—he picked up the phone, called Tom Cruise, asked questions. He dug in.

Lesson: Find someone who’s gone before. Their war stories save you years.

Embrace discomfort

“Say yes to things that scare you.” He didn’t choose the easy path.

Lesson: Growth often lives at the edge of your comfort zone.

Respect the legacy—but make your mark

He accepted the Schwarzenegger legacy, but also worked under Edgar Wright to remake the film in a newer vision.

Lesson: You aren’t just inheriting history—you’re writing your chapter.

Intensity is invisible until you show up for it

The audience doesn’t see the prep, the cold nights, the repeated takes—but they feel it.

Lesson: Your audience (metaphorically or literally) won’t know the grind—but they’ll know if you did it.

The Finish Line and What Comes After

The Running Man hits theaters on November 14, 2025.

For Powell, this isn’t just a movie release—it’s a career pivot, a declaration of seriousness in the action genre.

But even after the credits roll, the work doesn’t stop. Like any good thriller, what comes after the climax is often the most interesting part. The next questions:

How will audiences respond to the blend of emotional stakes + physical spectacle?

Will Powell’s shift into action solidify or will it become another footnote?

Can the lessons learned here carry forward into his next roles, his next challenge?

Action Stardom in 2025 is Not for the Faint-Hearted

When you wear the mantle of “action lead,” you’re not just guest-starring in explosions—you’re front row in a carnival of danger, expectations, legacy, and sheer physical will.

Glen Powell doesn’t just have “a movie coming out.” He has a moment. A spike in the road. A chance to redefine himself—and through that, remind us of what an action hero should feel like.

He listened. He trained. He feared. He embraced. And he’s about to run. Very fast. Very far. And yes — very recklessly.