**Glen Powell Reveals Hand Injury and Its Aftermath on ‘The Running Man’ Set**
In a recent interview, Glen Powell divulged the harrowing experience he faced while filming *The Running Man* in Bulgaria, where he sustained a serious hand injury that led to emergency surgery. The actor, known for his roles in various high-profile projects, shared the details of the incident during a profile with *Esquire*, published on October 7.
Powell, now 37, was on set for the remake of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s acclaimed 1987 film. His character required a scene in which he was stabbed in the hand, and despite the use of a prop knife equipped with a retractable blade, Powell ruptured a tendon. Initially dismissive of the injury, he was keen to avoid delaying the shoot, especially with commitments for another project involving director J.J. Abrams looming.
However, as the filming progressed, his hand became increasingly swollen, prompting a visit to an emergency room in Bulgaria. It was there that he was diagnosed with a septic infection, leading to urgent surgery. Recalling the severity of his condition, Powell stated, “This is the real deal, you could wake up without a hand,” as the medical staff urged him to consider the seriousness of his situation.
Fortunately, the surgery was a success, and he returned to the set with his hand intact, albeit bandaged, which the scriptwriters cleverly incorporated into the film. Despite the injury, Powell’s dedication did not waver, as he continued to perform demanding stunts, including a scene where he had to climb a building in sub-zero temperatures while attired only in a bath towel and instructed to keep his injured hand warm and dry.
In *The Running Man*, Powell portrays a man caught in a dystopian future, participating in a perilous game show where he has the chance to win a staggering $1 billion if he can survive being hunted for 30 days. Reflecting on the toll of the filming experience, he admitted, “I left that movie broken, physically and emotionally,” and pondered over whether he should “keep sprinting,” a nod to the film’s title.
Despite the intense work and effort that went into the project, *The Running Man* did not achieve the box office success anticipated by its makers, which Powell attributed to poor marketing efforts. He pointed out that Paramount had dismissed an entire marketing department just weeks before the film’s release, which he felt greatly impacted its visibility in a competitive market.
Powell also opened up about the pressures of his recent projects, particularly the film *How to Make a Killing*, which faced significant hurdles prior to its premiere. He acknowledged that the weight of these experiences began to affect his approach, telling *Esquire*, “I was not living in the here and now.” His family had raised concerns about his well-being, suggesting that he might be losing some of the passion that had initially driven him.
Looking ahead, Powell is set to appear in *The Great Beyond*, a project helmed by Abrams that he describes as the perfect opportunity for rejuvenation in his career. The film is anticipated to release in October 2027, alongside other collaborations with notable directors like Ron Howard and Richard Linklater.
In a light-hearted moment, Powell also alluded to Tom Cruise’s plans for a potential third *Top Gun* film, admitting he is somewhat aware of the storyline but remains uninformed of the specifics. He jested about the pressures to meet high expectations, saying, “Hopefully I’m not the age of Maverick in Maverick by the time I make it,” referencing Cruise’s iconic character.
As Powell navigates the complexities of Hollywood’s demanding environment, his recent experiences may well serve as a turning point. Fans and critics alike will be eager to see how he fuses these lessons into his future roles, as he strives to reclaim the artistic spark that first ignited his passion for acting.