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Most people are a bit tired of sequels and remakes, claiming they find them to be played out or unnecessary. Being fully transparent, it’s hard to ignore the fact that some actually turn out to be bangers, even going as far as being better than the first installment (Top Gun: Maverick definitely lands on that list!). Oftentimes, remakes expose a younger audience to older films and give them a glimpse of some stories that their parents grew up watching.

Some examples would be the Creed trilogy and the 21 Jump Street installments as they add current popular actors into pre-existing arcs. With that being said, The Running Man is next to get the revamp treatment and who better to nab the main role other than Hollywood’s new leading man, Glen Powell. He is no stranger to remakes or sequels as this would mark his third after he appeared in last year’s Twisters and the previously mentioned Top Gun: Maverick, both of which went on to be massive box office successes. Let’s take a look at what we know about The Running Man and what has still yet to be revealed.

Who is Attached?

A solid indication that this adaptation will be a hit is the fact that Powell does not miss. He is extremely charming and likeable much like Matthew McConaughey in his prime and, ironically, they both share the same home state (guess everything really is better in Texas). The talent doesn’t stop there as Baby Driver director Edgar Wright is set to direct the Stephen King book-turned-film that Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in back in 1987.

Little was known at the time when the film got its first major announcement when they revealed Powell as Ben Richards at last year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas, but more roles have been cast since then. Coleman Domingo has been heating up lately (highly praised for his recent film, Sing, Sing) and has signed on as the game show host that was previously played by Richard Dawson. News broke back in October that Josh Brolin is set to star as the antagonist, Dan Killian, joining Michael Cera who previously worked with Wright on Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Fresh off of wrapping the wildly successful first season of The Penguin, Jayme Lawson will play Richard’s wife, Sheila. One might call her fairly booked and busy, as she will also star in Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s highly anticipated vampire thriller, Sinners, in April. Other notable names attached include Daniel Ezra (All American) , Lee Pace (Guardians of the Galaxy), Karl Glusman (The Bikeriders), and seasoned vet William H. Macy in an unknown role.

What Can We Expect?

Okay, so we know the premise must pull heavily from the book and previous dystopian-sci-fi adaptation. If this is the case, then we can expect Richards to participate in a game show where the premise is to dodge hitmen sent to kill you to win a billion dollars. He is desperate for the funds as he needs it to help cover treatment for his daughter’s illness. to This has a very Squid Game tone to it and, given the massive success of that series, this seems like something audiences very well might just eat up. So we can imagine how this can all play out, but where’s the trailer? We do know that filming has already begun, with Powell being spotted back in November in London. He also told IndieWire about how he plans to pull double duty as he wants to finish his degree in his hometown at the University of Texas while filming. “I’m basically going to be coming back because I have to finish up, but I’m going to be shooting The Running Man in the fall. So I’m going to be in London…”. 

How Close are we to a Trailer?

The release date is locked in for November 7th, but was initially set for November 21st. In a smart move, the studio changed the date to avoid competing with Wicked: For Good. Many feel Gladiator 2 should have done the same as it fell in the shadow of the first Wicked release during their Barbenheimer face-off. We’re about 10 months out from The Running Man release and we haven’t gotten a teaser nor a trailer. The perfect spot for a glimpse would be during the Super Bowl on February 9th, but given the lack of buzz from rumors, it’s unlikely this will happen, unless it’s been kept super under wraps.

Nonetheless, CinemaCon is coming around the corner again March 31st to April 3rd so it’s highly likely that Paramount will drop the full trailer and get audiences excited by relying on the attending press to spread the word. Regardless of when we get our first peek, I think we are in good hands with this team of cast and director. It’s safe to say The Running Man will top a lot of most anticipated films of 2025.

The post Everything We Know (and Don’t Know) About ‘The Running Man’ Remake appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

A viral Reddit r/AmItheAsshole post details how one man stood up for his girlfriend when his uncle made inappropriate comments and got too handsy at a family event. Instead of brushing it off, he called him out publicly, pitting him against his other family members.

Red flags

The original poster (OP) explained that his uncle started with backhanded compliments meant for his girlfriend, Kate, saying things like “Wow, you’re way too pretty for him.” That alone was cringeworthy, but then it escalated into outright predatory comments, such as “I would have snatched you up back in the day.” 

Donald Trump signed a sweeping Executive Order that will give him control over school curriculums and force teachers to comply through threats of rescinded funding.

During his presidential campaign, Trump expressed interest in controlling America’s education. Like Project 2025, he floated plans to dismantle the Department of Education to erase government oversight and give the states more power to mold public education. At the same time, he also expressed interest in keeping federal funding for schools in order to use it as leverage to force all schools to push the right-wing agenda. Trump once stated that he wouldn’t send money to schools that teach actual American history, including the history of slavery. Now, he is acting on that promise with an Executive Order demanding that all schools teach “patriotic history” or lose funding.

The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. It’s held annually on the first Sunday in February, marking the culmination of the NFL season. But apart from the sport, the event is also known for its halftime show: a major cultural event featuring A-list performers and surprise collaborations, all backed by massive productions. Though the halftime show has always been a part of the Super Bowl, it wasn’t focused on A-list performers until 1993, when Michael Jackson revolutionized the halftime.

As a result, the halftime show is now a standalone event that’s often as anticipated as the game itself, and for this year’s occasion, Kendrick Lamar will be the headline act for the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. Of course, this isn’t his first Super Bowl; he participated in the 2022 halftime show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige. The American rapper, songwriter, and producer is the first non-classical or jazz musician to receive a Pulitzer Prize for Music, and he’s considered one of the most influential artists of his generation, so it’s not really a surprise that he’s headlining the show.

However, Lamar’s upcoming performance — while certainly the defining moment of the halftime show — might not be solely about the music. It could serve as an opportunity to shine a light on Compton’s rich culture. Despite negative characterizations in pop culture, Compton is rich in Black culture, resilience, and artistic expression, and Lamar often explores these dualities through his music. But he’s not the only one uplifting Compton; the Compton Cowboys are doing the same. Given their potential appearance at the halftime show, we’re taking this opportunity to learn more about their history.

Due to the aforementioned negative portrayals in pop culture, people often associate Compton with hip-hop, gang culture, social inequalities, and economic struggles. However, horses have been a part of the city’s history for decades, and Compton has deep roots in Black cowboy culture. This challenges both the mainstream perception of the city and the role of African Americans in equestrian history — especially since Black Cowboys have been a vital part of American history, whose contributions are greatly overlooked.

Most people only learned about white cowboys who roamed the frontier, herded cattle, and got into occasional gunfights with bandits and Native Americans — a false notion that was reinforced through cinema. However, historical facts say otherwise; the reality was more diverse, and the equestrian history of the West wasn’t exclusively white. There were Black cowboys. In fact, after white ranchers left to fight in the Civil War, slaves developed ranching skills, and as a consequence, one in four cowboys was Black.

After the Emancipation Proclamation, these newly skilled cattle herders found work moving livestock. However, their stories remain omitted from the pages of history. Fast forward to modern times, and Compton is now home to the Compton Cowboys, a group of Black equestrians who continue to challenge the stereotypes about their community and their city. Since Compton was shaped by systemic challenges, gang violence and drugs weren’t uncommon routes for kids to find themselves going down. In response, Mayisha Akbar founded the Compton Jr. Posse Youth Equestrian Program — an NPO in Richland Farms — in the 1980s with the idea of providing local youth with a safe alternative to the streets.

From this organization came the Compton Cowboys, and many of its members actually found their way to the organization by engaging and interacting with other cowboys riding through their neighborhoods or through family and friends’ recommendations. The Cowboys still work to provide a safe alternative and present as positive role models to inner-city youth, helping them find a path away from gangs and crime while also providing mentorship through horseback riding and equestrian culture and lifestyle.

Their influence now extends into the media, where the Compton Cowboys are at the forefront of challenging stereotypes about African Americans. Through their growing presence, they not only reshape perceptions but also highlight the broader issue of under-representation in the cowboy and rodeo world. This struggle for visibility echoes the experiences of many Black pioneers, including the legendary Bill Pickett, whose contributions remain largely overlooked despite their significance.

The Compton Cowboys, much like their predecessors, continue to ride through city streets to raise awareness. They also participate in parades and compete in various events. Given that Super Bowl halftime shows have historically featured performers such as drill teams and marching bands, there’s a compelling case for including the Compton Cowboys in this year’s performance. With the 2025 Super Bowl set to take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, which has a capacity of 83,000 spectators, and an anticipated television audience exceeding 120 million viewers, their inclusion could significantly enhance their visibility and amplify their message.

It could also strengthen local community support while helping to reshape historical narratives, bringing greater recognition to the vital role African Americans have played in the equestrian history of the United States.

The post A Brief History of the Compton Cowboys and Their Potential Super Bowl Spotlight appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.