Paul A. Hebert/Invision/APIn what could be either the best or worst idea ever for a game show, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s reality competition is finally hitting our screens very soon.
The show would involve teams of ‘chasers’ pursuing a fugitive or ‘runner’ across the U.S and the best part is that there is a tasty $1 million prize at stake- that’s if the runner remains undetected for 30 days while stopping at particular checkpoints.
According to Deadline, the series titled The Runner, is set to launch this summer and has reportedly been picked up by the streaming app go90.
This whole concept might sound a bit familiar, maybe even a bit dystopian? Well it should ring a bell, as it’s essentially the same rules in the Stephen King novel set in the future America of 2025 (and later, the movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger), The Running Man.
This concept had been in the works for quite some time and was originally sold to ABC back in 2000, though it was pulled shortly after the September 11th attacks. It also almost went at Yahoo, though it was stuck in development until recently.
The chasers would apparently have mobile devices which would give them clues, as they track the runner and try to capture them. People will also be able to play along at home and offer tips to help catch the runner and ultimately win themselves cash rewards.
If you think you have what it takes to travel across the United States with a load of strangers legging it after you, the show is currently on the look out for contestants on their website.
AP/Mark J. TerrillTime will only tell if this project will be anywhere near as successful as these guys film careers.
