Edgar Wright Reveals The Running Man's Secret Brolin Family Easter Egg With A Much Deeper Meaning

Edgar Wright Reveals The Running Man's Secret Brolin Family Easter Egg

Director Edgar Wright has disclosed a hidden Easter egg in his adaptation of The Running Man, linking actor Josh Brolin and his family in a subtle, meaningful way.

Family Connection in The Running Man

Wright explained that Josh Brolin, who plays the villain Dan Killian in the latest Stephen King adaptation, is not the only Brolin featured in the film. His father, James Brolin, also appears, though in a unique manner.

"Josh Brolin is not the only Brolin in this movie. By complete coincidence, his dad is in it as well," Wright shared in an interview with ScreenRant's Ash Crossan.

How the Easter Egg Came About

The presence of both Brolins was unplanned; James was cast before Josh. James Brolin appears via a clip from the classic action thriller Skyjacked, in which he played the hijacker.

"So we wrote that in. We got the clip cleared — and this was all before Josh Brolin was cast as Killian. And then when Josh Brolin was cast, I suddenly said to him, 'Hey, your dad’s in the movie too,' because James Brolin plays the hijacker in Skyjacked." — Edgar Wright

Significance of the Easter Egg

This subtle nod adds an extra layer of depth to the film, highlighting the unexpected family legacy within the cast and enriching the viewing experience for fans aware of the connection.

Author's summary: Edgar Wright cleverly included a meaningful Easter egg in The Running Man that connects Josh Brolin and his father, James, through a unique film clip, enriching the film’s depth.

Screen Rant — 2025-11-01