[INTERVIEW] Meet Angelo Gray: The Young Scene-Stealer Making Waves in 'THE RUNNING MAN' (2025)

By Klep Napier | WeAreCritiX.com

At just 12 years old, Worcester native Angelo Gray is living every young performer’s dream, stepping into his very first film role and doing it on a global stage alongside some of today’s biggest names. Edgar Wright’s high-octane reboot of The Running Man brings together a powerhouse cast, Glen Powell, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin and right there in the mix, trading lines and matching energy beat-for-beat, is Angelo. This isn’t a blink-and-you’ll-miss-him cameo. This is a young actor with real screen time, real lines, and real presence. And judging by the confidence, poise, and humility he showed during our interview, this moment is only the beginning.

What makes Angelo’s rise so impressive is how quickly he embraced acting as a path. He admits he initially trained for singing, not screen work. But a showcase at IMTA (The International Modeling and Talent Association) unexpected doors, thanks to coach Karon Shea pushing him into acting and modeling, not just vocal performance. The result? An avalanche of callbacks, a newfound love for acting, and a natural ease in front of the camera that even he seems surprised by. “It feels so natural,” he told me. That’s something you can’t teach. That’s raw star DNA.

Landing The Running Man wasn’t something Angelo took lightly. When he first heard the name “Stephen King,” his excitement shot through the roof—he’s a massive fan of IT. He immediately watched the original Running Man with his dad to understand the tone and world. His audition process wasn’t just reading lines; he crafted a whole environment in his mind—imagining alleyways, danger, shadows, and the intensity of being hunted. That level of immersion from a first-timer is rare, and when he says he “loved making the character his own,” it shows. On screen, the kid carries himself like he’s been doing this for years.

Continue reading or watch our full interview right here:

What makes Angelo’s debut even more extraordinary is who he’s playing off of. Sharing scenes and literal physical interactions with Glen Powell is no small thing for a young performer. Yet Angelo describes the experience with a calmness and maturity far beyond his age. No intimidation, no nerves—just excitement. Powell and co-star Daniel Ezra (who plays his brother Bradley) helped guide him through moments of confusion, offering direction, building chemistry, and treating him like a peer, not a kid tagging along on a blockbuster set. That mentorship helped shape Angelo’s confidence, and it shows in their now-memorable car chase sequence—an intense moment that blends practical stunts, movie magic, and pure adrenaline. Angelo laughs recalling the moment he thought they hit someone before learning the stunt performer was safely on a mat. Movie magic, indeed.

What stands out most about Angelo is his joy—his joy for the craft, for the challenge, and for the connections he’s making along the way. He lights up when talking about creating character moments, improvising celebratory lines with Ezra, or sharing meals with cast members to build authentic bonds. And when asked about what he’d pass on to the next kid who wants to follow in his footsteps, his answer was simple but powerful: don’t be afraid to ask for help. Even on a giant set like this, he stayed open, teachable, and eager to learn. Glen Powell himself told him he “takes direction really well” a trait every director dreams of.

As if The Running Man wasn’t a big enough launchpad, Angelo already has another major project on the horizon: Weekend Warrior, a heartfelt new drama starring Mark Wahlberg. The film follows a devoted father who takes his autistic son on a cross-country journey to visit every NBA team so the boy can choose his favorite. A story inspired by the acclaimed German film Weekend Rebels, which explored a similar adventure through Premier League soccer. While the studio hasn’t confirmed whether Gray is stepping into a leading role, what we do know is that he plays a character named Malik, placing him once again in the emotional center of a story built on connection, compassion, and growth. Angelo couldn’t reveal much more — Hollywood’s secrecy rules are tight — but the excitement behind his smile said plenty. His momentum is real, and the roles keep getting bigger..

Angelo Gray is the kind of breakout story that reminds you why movies matter. A hometown kid with heart, humility, and undeniable talent steps into the ring—with giants—and proves he belongs. And trust me… he does. You can catch Angelo’s debut performance in The Running Man now playing in theaters worldwide. Go support this young king. He’s earned every second of this spotlight.