Edgar Wright on The Running Man and Amma Asante on upcoming Billion Dollar Spy with Russell Crowe

Kermode on Film – March 10, 2026

Episode Focus:
Edgar Wright on The Running Man & Amma Asante on Billion Dollar Spy and Smilla’s Sense of Snow

Overview

This episode of Kermode on Film, recorded live at BFI IMAX, features Mark Kermode in conversation with acclaimed director Edgar Wright—discussing the release and making of his new adaptation of The Running Man, the power of physical media, and his filmmaking influences—followed by an interview with BAFTA-winning filmmaker Amma Asante about her upcoming Cold War thriller Billion Dollar Spy starring Russell Crowe, and her recent mini-series adaptation of Smilla’s Sense of Snow. Both guests share clips, reflect on the challenges and thrills of their work, and discuss the art that’s inspired them.

1. Edgar Wright on The Running Man

[03:15–27:30]

Key Discussion Points

The Running Man physical media release & adaptation:
- Edgar Wright's new adaptation is coming to DVD and Blu Ray.
- Discussion about honoring Stephen King's original dystopian vision and the uncanniness of the source material's relevance to current events.
  - "It is uncanny how much his version of America ruled over by an authoritarian nut job...is very close to home, isn't it?" – Mark Kermode [06:37]
- Wright’s approach: allowing the politics to speak through the film—taking lessons from Paul Thomas Anderson’s “king of the non-answer” style.
  - "If you could let the film speak for itself, I think that’s the ultimate, like, sort of goal." – Edgar Wright [07:17]
Production Challenges & Achievements:
- The film’s ambitious scope, involving numerous locations, international settings, and logistical complexity.
  - "The thing that I’m really proud of...is just the sort of depth and detail of all the location work." – Edgar Wright [08:41]
- The wear and tear on cast and crew (and commentary track full of “that was the toughest day” confessions).
  - "Making movies is the best job in the world. But it obviously is exhausting, and action movies are particularly arduous." – Edgar Wright [07:40]
Influences: Comedy, Action, and Choreography:
- Strong links between comedy, horror, and action in terms of timing and movement.
  - “If you listen to a commentary track on a John Carpenter film talking about Halloween, what does he call the scares? Gags. It's exactly the same timing.” – Edgar Wright [14:25]
- Choreography as essential, with action sequences borrowing from dance—tracing the lineage from martial arts to musicals.
  - “There’s a big overlap between dance and action...It’s about being balletic.” – Edgar Wright [16:40]
- Citing experience with Jackie Chan’s stunt team and integrating choreography into action sequences.
Relationship with Locations:
- Making Last Night in Soho in his own neighborhood, and the feeling of permanence and being haunted by his own work.
  - "I should make a film and then move on. And now I'm haunted by the film as well...making, you know, all films become personal in different ways." – Edgar Wright [19:02]
Personal Connection to Source Material:
- Early love of Stephen King—read the Bachman Books as a teenager; always envisioned The Running Man differently from the 1987 adaptation.
  - "I started reading his books at exactly the right age, which is too young." – Edgar Wright [20:17]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

Making the film’s IMAX and 4DX premieres:
- "It's not like fun being in your own premiere... it's just nerve-wracking...This was the first time when the film came out in New York, there was a 4DX screening…And then did the Q&A. But I never got to see the film in IMAX." – Edgar Wright [10:06]
On physical media:
- "Physical media needs to be retained. Don’t rely on people being able to beam stuff down to you from the clouds." – Mark Kermode [27:09]
On Action/Comedy/Horror:
- "Comedy and action and horror is all about timing. So they are...the same methodology in a way." – Edgar Wright [14:25]
On Student Fans:
- "And then I end up—and this is the Toucan Pub from Last Night in Soho—and everyone goes nuts." – Mark Kermode [18:13]
On John Carpenter Influences (Clip: Escape from New York):
- Describes shooting future dystopias as “playgrounds,” and how Escape from New York used creative practical effects due to budget constraints (reflective tape, blacklight, miniatures, James Cameron work).
  - "The infrared shots are essentially done in camera...It’s a model with Scotch tape and a black light." – Edgar Wright [23:57]

Notable Timestamps

[06:51] – Edgar Wright on letting the film speak for itself
[07:40] – On the exhaustion and challenges of the shoot
[14:25] – Comedy, action, horror – all about timing
[19:02] – On making a film “at home” and that haunting effect

2. Amma Asante: Billion Dollar Spy & Smilla’s Sense of Snow

[28:49–46:39]

Key Discussion Points

Billion Dollar Spy (Upcoming Film):
- Cold War espionage drama based on real-life engineer Adolf Tolkachev, who spied for the CIA in Moscow.
  - “He loved his country, didn’t love the government…he smuggled designs for future radar systems to the Americans in excess of what was worth a billion dollars…” – Amma Asante [29:35]
- Shooting completed, film in post-production; starring Russell Crowe, Harry Lawtey, Vera Farmiga, Tony Goldwyn, Justin Theroux.
- Crowe’s performance and collaborative spirit highlighted:
  - "He is a brilliant, brilliant actor…he gives an incredibly moving performance…we had a really good bond." – Amma Asante [31:13]
- Asante’s approach to working with talent – emphasizing forming her own relationship with actors rather than taking on industry reputations.
  - "It's really important to have your own—work out what your own dynamic is with a person...give it a minute to know what your real dynamic is going to be." – Amma Asante [32:07]
Smilla’s Sense of Snow (Mini-Series):
- Based on the acclaimed Danish novel; previously made into a feature film.
- Six-part mini-series, filmed as a “six hour movie”—focuses on identity, returning to origins, and unresolved trauma.
  - "It’s about a young woman who...has both the colonized and the colonizer inside her and has to somehow come to terms with those two identities. And it's...about grief and loss." – Amma Asante [37:25]
- Political and ecological themes, genre-bending structure, refusal to simplify the narrative for television.
  - "For many people, this is their guilty pleasure. For me, it's just an out and out—I love this movie..." – Amma Asante on Yentl as inspiration [40:58]
- Authenticity ensured by her personal connection to Denmark—adaptation filmed with intimacy and trust for the source’s oddness.
  - "I needed a lot of trust as well to...be honest with it in the way that the book was." – Amma Asante [40:22]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

On adaptation and identity:
- "All of us are more than one thing...that's to be enjoyed, that's to be embraced...should drive us forward." – Amma Asante [38:45]
On Russell Crowe:
- "When he left, five weeks in...crew, cast, me, kind of left a really big hole. We all missed him." – Amma Asante [32:49]
On genre-mixing in Smilla’s Sense of Snow:
- "Somebody said to me, what genre is it? I said, all of them...the last two episodes are positively David Lynch." – Mark Kermode [39:05]

Clip/Inspirational Text Segment

Yentl (Barbra Streisand) as Inspirational Text:
- Asante relates Yentl to her own work and its themes of gender, art, and agency.
  - "As a female director at the age of 13...I knew she was very instrumental in more than just her performance—it was her vision." – Amma Asante [41:35]
  - The film’s central scene discussed for its complexity, gender politics, and emotional resonance.

Notable Timestamps

[29:35] – Amma Asante summarizes Billion Dollar Spy
[31:13] – Amma on working with Russell Crowe
[34:00] – Mark Kermode asks Amma to quickly summarize Smilla’s Sense of Snow
[37:25] – Amma on the series’ core theme of postcolonial identity

Extras & Final Words

Edgar Wright and Amma Asante both reminisce about the films and directors that inspired them, with clips and commentary enhancing the live event atmosphere.
Recurrent theme: the value of storytelling that’s personal, complex, and unafraid to mix genres or break rules.
**Physical media—DVD/Blu-ray—is celebrated as crucial for film culture longevity.
Fans and students in the audience are acknowledged, reinforcing the communal aspect of film appreciation.
Shows previews for upcoming MK3D shows and Mark Kermode’s continued film reviews with Simon Mayo.

Episode Highlights by Timestamp

[06:51] Edgar Wright on the film’s political timeliness and interview strategies
[08:41] Wright discusses the challenges of the film’s locations and logistics
[14:25] The link between comedy, horror, and action via timing and choreography
[19:02] On the personal connection with shooting films in familiar neighborhoods
[20:08] Early relationship with Stephen King’s work
[23:19] Homage to John Carpenter, Escape from New York, and James Cameron’s early special effects
[29:35] Amma Asante on the premise of Billion Dollar Spy
[31:13] The working dynamic with Russell Crowe
[34:00] Amma’s concise pitch for Smilla’s Sense of Snow
[37:25] Reflections on postcolonial identity and personal acceptance

Notable Quotes

“Physical media needs to be retained. Don’t rely on people being able to beam stuff down to you from the clouds.”
– Mark Kermode [27:09]
“All of us are more than one thing...”
– Amma Asante [38:45]
“If you could let the film speak for itself, I think that’s the ultimate, like, sort of goal.”
– Edgar Wright [07:17]
“The last two episodes are positively David Lynch.”
– Mark Kermode [39:19]

Conclusion

This packed episode is a celebration of thoughtful, daring filmmaking, with Wright and Asante offering insight into adaptation, genre, collaboration, and the role of film as both personal expression and a reflection of society. Their candor, humor, and genuine love for cinema make for an engaging listen and an inspiration for filmmakers and cinephiles alike.

For more in-depth film conversations, check out the second half of the MK3D show and Mark Kermode’s regular podcasts.

Kermode on Film – March 10, 2026

Episode Focus:
Edgar Wright on The Running Man & Amma Asante on Billion Dollar Spy and Smilla’s Sense of Snow

Overview

1. Edgar Wright on The Running Man

[03:15–27:30]

Key Discussion Points

The Running Man physical media release & adaptation:
- Edgar Wright's new adaptation is coming to DVD and Blu Ray.
- Discussion about honoring Stephen King's original dystopian vision and the uncanniness of the source material's relevance to current events.
  - "It is uncanny how much his version of America ruled over by an authoritarian nut job...is very close to home, isn't it?" – Mark Kermode [06:37]
- Wright’s approach: allowing the politics to speak through the film—taking lessons from Paul Thomas Anderson’s “king of the non-answer” style.
  - "If you could let the film speak for itself, I think that’s the ultimate, like, sort of goal." – Edgar Wright [07:17]
Production Challenges & Achievements:
- The film’s ambitious scope, involving numerous locations, international settings, and logistical complexity.
  - "The thing that I’m really proud of...is just the sort of depth and detail of all the location work." – Edgar Wright [08:41]
- The wear and tear on cast and crew (and commentary track full of “that was the toughest day” confessions).
  - "Making movies is the best job in the world. But it obviously is exhausting, and action movies are particularly arduous." – Edgar Wright [07:40]
Influences: Comedy, Action, and Choreography:
- Strong links between comedy, horror, and action in terms of timing and movement.
  - “If you listen to a commentary track on a John Carpenter film talking about Halloween, what does he call the scares? Gags. It's exactly the same timing.” – Edgar Wright [14:25]
- Choreography as essential, with action sequences borrowing from dance—tracing the lineage from martial arts to musicals.
  - “There’s a big overlap between dance and action...It’s about being balletic.” – Edgar Wright [16:40]
- Citing experience with Jackie Chan’s stunt team and integrating choreography into action sequences.
Relationship with Locations:
- Making Last Night in Soho in his own neighborhood, and the feeling of permanence and being haunted by his own work.
  - "I should make a film and then move on. And now I'm haunted by the film as well...making, you know, all films become personal in different ways." – Edgar Wright [19:02]
Personal Connection to Source Material:
- Early love of Stephen King—read the Bachman Books as a teenager; always envisioned The Running Man differently from the 1987 adaptation.
  - "I started reading his books at exactly the right age, which is too young." – Edgar Wright [20:17]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

Making the film’s IMAX and 4DX premieres:
- "It's not like fun being in your own premiere... it's just nerve-wracking...This was the first time when the film came out in New York, there was a 4DX screening…And then did the Q&A. But I never got to see the film in IMAX." – Edgar Wright [10:06]
On physical media:
- "Physical media needs to be retained. Don’t rely on people being able to beam stuff down to you from the clouds." – Mark Kermode [27:09]
On Action/Comedy/Horror:
- "Comedy and action and horror is all about timing. So they are...the same methodology in a way." – Edgar Wright [14:25]
On Student Fans:
- "And then I end up—and this is the Toucan Pub from Last Night in Soho—and everyone goes nuts." – Mark Kermode [18:13]
On John Carpenter Influences (Clip: Escape from New York):
- Describes shooting future dystopias as “playgrounds,” and how Escape from New York used creative practical effects due to budget constraints (reflective tape, blacklight, miniatures, James Cameron work).
  - "The infrared shots are essentially done in camera...It’s a model with Scotch tape and a black light." – Edgar Wright [23:57]

Notable Timestamps

[06:51] – Edgar Wright on letting the film speak for itself
[07:40] – On the exhaustion and challenges of the shoot
[14:25] – Comedy, action, horror – all about timing
[19:02] – On making a film “at home” and that haunting effect

2. Amma Asante: Billion Dollar Spy & Smilla’s Sense of Snow

[28:49–46:39]

Key Discussion Points

Billion Dollar Spy (Upcoming Film):
- Cold War espionage drama based on real-life engineer Adolf Tolkachev, who spied for the CIA in Moscow.
  - “He loved his country, didn’t love the government…he smuggled designs for future radar systems to the Americans in excess of what was worth a billion dollars…” – Amma Asante [29:35]
- Shooting completed, film in post-production; starring Russell Crowe, Harry Lawtey, Vera Farmiga, Tony Goldwyn, Justin Theroux.
- Crowe’s performance and collaborative spirit highlighted:
  - "He is a brilliant, brilliant actor…he gives an incredibly moving performance…we had a really good bond." – Amma Asante [31:13]
- Asante’s approach to working with talent – emphasizing forming her own relationship with actors rather than taking on industry reputations.
  - "It's really important to have your own—work out what your own dynamic is with a person...give it a minute to know what your real dynamic is going to be." – Amma Asante [32:07]
Smilla’s Sense of Snow (Mini-Series):
- Based on the acclaimed Danish novel; previously made into a feature film.
- Six-part mini-series, filmed as a “six hour movie”—focuses on identity, returning to origins, and unresolved trauma.
  - "It’s about a young woman who...has both the colonized and the colonizer inside her and has to somehow come to terms with those two identities. And it's...about grief and loss." – Amma Asante [37:25]
- Political and ecological themes, genre-bending structure, refusal to simplify the narrative for television.
  - "For many people, this is their guilty pleasure. For me, it's just an out and out—I love this movie..." – Amma Asante on Yentl as inspiration [40:58]
- Authenticity ensured by her personal connection to Denmark—adaptation filmed with intimacy and trust for the source’s oddness.
  - "I needed a lot of trust as well to...be honest with it in the way that the book was." – Amma Asante [40:22]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

On adaptation and identity:
- "All of us are more than one thing...that's to be enjoyed, that's to be embraced...should drive us forward." – Amma Asante [38:45]
On Russell Crowe:
- "When he left, five weeks in...crew, cast, me, kind of left a really big hole. We all missed him." – Amma Asante [32:49]
On genre-mixing in Smilla’s Sense of Snow:
- "Somebody said to me, what genre is it? I said, all of them...the last two episodes are positively David Lynch." – Mark Kermode [39:05]

Clip/Inspirational Text Segment

Yentl (Barbra Streisand) as Inspirational Text:
- Asante relates Yentl to her own work and its themes of gender, art, and agency.
  - "As a female director at the age of 13...I knew she was very instrumental in more than just her performance—it was her vision." – Amma Asante [41:35]
  - The film’s central scene discussed for its complexity, gender politics, and emotional resonance.

Notable Timestamps

[29:35] – Amma Asante summarizes Billion Dollar Spy
[31:13] – Amma on working with Russell Crowe
[34:00] – Mark Kermode asks Amma to quickly summarize Smilla’s Sense of Snow
[37:25] – Amma on the series’ core theme of postcolonial identity

Extras & Final Words

Edgar Wright and Amma Asante both reminisce about the films and directors that inspired them, with clips and commentary enhancing the live event atmosphere.
Recurrent theme: the value of storytelling that’s personal, complex, and unafraid to mix genres or break rules.
**Physical media—DVD/Blu-ray—is celebrated as crucial for film culture longevity.
Fans and students in the audience are acknowledged, reinforcing the communal aspect of film appreciation.
Shows previews for upcoming MK3D shows and Mark Kermode’s continued film reviews with Simon Mayo.

Episode Highlights by Timestamp

[06:51] Edgar Wright on the film’s political timeliness and interview strategies
[08:41] Wright discusses the challenges of the film’s locations and logistics
[14:25] The link between comedy, horror, and action via timing and choreography
[19:02] On the personal connection with shooting films in familiar neighborhoods
[20:08] Early relationship with Stephen King’s work
[23:19] Homage to John Carpenter, Escape from New York, and James Cameron’s early special effects
[29:35] Amma Asante on the premise of Billion Dollar Spy
[31:13] The working dynamic with Russell Crowe
[34:00] Amma’s concise pitch for Smilla’s Sense of Snow
[37:25] Reflections on postcolonial identity and personal acceptance

Notable Quotes

“Physical media needs to be retained. Don’t rely on people being able to beam stuff down to you from the clouds.”
– Mark Kermode [27:09]
“All of us are more than one thing...”
– Amma Asante [38:45]
“If you could let the film speak for itself, I think that’s the ultimate, like, sort of goal.”
– Edgar Wright [07:17]
“The last two episodes are positively David Lynch.”
– Mark Kermode [39:19]

Conclusion

For more in-depth film conversations, check out the second half of the MK3D show and Mark Kermode’s regular podcasts.

wavePod

Summary

Kermode on Film – March 10, 2026

Overview

1. Edgar Wright on The Running Man

[03:15–27:30]

Key Discussion Points

Memorable Moments & Quotes

Notable Timestamps

2. Amma Asante: Billion Dollar Spy & Smilla’s Sense of Snow

[28:49–46:39]

Key Discussion Points

Memorable Moments & Quotes

Clip/Inspirational Text Segment

Notable Timestamps

Extras & Final Words

Episode Highlights by Timestamp

Notable Quotes

Conclusion

Transcript

Summary

Kermode on Film – March 10, 2026

Overview

1. Edgar Wright on The Running Man

[03:15–27:30]

Key Discussion Points

Memorable Moments & Quotes

Notable Timestamps

2. Amma Asante: Billion Dollar Spy & Smilla’s Sense of Snow

[28:49–46:39]

Key Discussion Points

Memorable Moments & Quotes

Clip/Inspirational Text Segment

Notable Timestamps

Extras & Final Words

Episode Highlights by Timestamp

Notable Quotes

Conclusion