Producers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have released the first trailer for “The Runner,” an upcoming series being released on Verizon’s video platform, go90, which sheds light on the online reality show that’s a cross between “The Amazing Race” and “The Running Man.”
The premise is this: The Runner is a contestant dispatched across the U.S. to different checkpoint cities over the course of a month. If he gets to the end without being caught, he gets a cash prize. But he must evade eight teams of two called Chasers along the way. If any of them catch the Runner, they get the money instead.
Affleck and Damon first sold “The Runner” to ABC back in 2000, but the show was pulled shortly after the 9-11 attacks. Sixteen years later, the show is using smartphone technology to add an interactive element to the series, which will take place in real-time and offer go90 users a chance to win money by providing tips and clues that can help Chasers find the Runner.
Affleck and Damon are producing through Pearl Street Films alongside Adaptive Studios’ Marc Joubert & Perrin Chiles and Pilgrim Media Group’s Craig Piligian and Mike Nichols.
“The Runner” is set to launch this summer.