Lee Pace, the acclaimed actor known for his diverse roles, expressed his enthusiasm about joining the cast of the upcoming dystopian action thriller, The Running Man. The film features a star-studded lineup that includes Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Michael Cera, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin. Pace described receiving the offer for the role as a “pinch-me moment,” particularly because it meant working with renowned director Edgar Wright.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Pace shared his excitement about collaborating with Wright, saying, “First, to get a call from Edgar Wright, saying, ‘I want you to be a part of my film,’ it was such a pinch-me moment.” He indicated that Wright’s vision for the film resonated with him from their first conversation. “He made exactly the movie that he had in mind before we started filming,” Pace noted.
Pace’s Role as Evan McCone
In The Running Man, Pace takes on the role of Evan McCone, a masked leader of the hunters. He described McCone as a “complicated character” who maintains an air of mystery throughout much of the film. “He’s mysterious, and he withholds a lot,” Pace explained. “Then the complexity of him emerges towards the end, and I also like a complicated character.”
Pace emphasized the enjoyment he found in portraying McCone, relishing the challenge of making the character appear relaxed and unbothered even as he pursues the protagonist, Ben Richards. The actor highlighted the thrilling nature of playing such a multifaceted role, stating, “It was definitely great fun playing the character.”
The Importance of Direction
When considering film roles, Pace prioritizes the director above all else. “Director is first. That’s the reason you do or don’t do the movie,” he stated. He also reflected on the film’s origins, noting that it is based on a story by Stephen King, written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. The original narrative, conceived in 1981, explores a dystopian vision of 2025 that reflects a growing hostility in society at that time.
Despite the film’s satirical themes, Pace reassured audiences that the world depicted in The Running Man is not a reflection of reality. “Inside the movie, there’s a sharp difference between the reality show and reality,” he explained. In the film, McCone is portrayed as a hero hunting down Richards, who is depicted as the villain, creating a compelling commentary on societal perceptions.
Pace concluded by reinforcing the film’s satirical nature, describing it as both thought-provoking and entertaining. “He’s one of the brave people who’s trying to rid the streets of bad guys like Ben Richards, which is not true. So this movie is satire, and it’s fun and thrilling,” he remarked. As audiences await the film’s release, Pace’s excitement and passion for his role suggest a captivating experience ahead.
