Get ready to rev your engines, because the Alpine A290 is stealing the spotlight in Glen Powell’s upcoming film, The Running Man—and it’s not just another car on the road. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this electric hot hatch the next big thing in cinematic car culture, or just a flashy sidekick? Let’s dive in.
Alpine’s bold and spirited A290 (https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/alpine/a290) isn’t just making waves in the automotive world—it’s now a bona fide movie star. This electric hot hatch has landed a starring role in Edgar Wright’s action-packed adaptation of Stephen King’s The Running Man. If you’re thinking, ‘Wait, wasn’t that already a movie?’—you’re right. The 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger classic (https://www.topgear.com/car-news/movies/schwarzenegger-more-basic-car-more-fun-you-have) set the bar high, but Wright, known for hits like Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, and the car-centric masterpiece Baby Driver (https://www.topgear.com/car-news/movies/baby-driver-one-best-driving-films-youll-see), is putting his own spin on it.
And this is the part most people miss: it’s not Glen Powell behind the wheel of the A290—it’s his co-star, Emilia Jones. Her character starts off seemingly unaware of the car’s significance, but her perspective shifts dramatically when she crosses paths with Powell’s lead character, Ben Richards, while driving her Alpine. It’s a moment that promises to be both visually stunning and emotionally charged.
Behind the scenes, the production team went all out. Three Alpine A290s were used, along with a staggering 17 extra body parts—think spare windows, doors, front wings, and even lights. Given the film’s high-octane action sequences, every single spare part was put to good use. Here’s the question: does this level of preparation reflect the A290’s potential to become an iconic movie car, or is it just a practical necessity for filming?
Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a movie buff, or just someone who loves a good action flick, the Alpine A290’s role in The Running Man is sure to spark conversation. So, what do you think? Is the A290 destined for cinematic greatness, or is it just another car in the crowd? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
