Earlier this week, we got a glimpse of Stephen King’s The Long Walk with its new trailer. But things got even more intense at San Diego Comic-Con this year! Footage shared during the Hall H panel left attendees genuinely shocked, with some scenes even blacked out due to their extreme intensity.
A Panel That Pulled No Punches
The Long Walk, starring David Jonsson, Tut Nyuot, Garrett Wareing, and Mark Hamill, truly made an impact in Hall H. Producer Roy Lee and screenwriter JT Mollner joined the cast for an electrifying panel, moderated by Eric Vespe and Anthony Breznican, hosts of The Kingcast podcast.
Mark Hamill kicked off the cast introductions by opening his jacket to reveal a “Based on the novel by Richard Bachman” shirt. It was a cool nod to the pseudonym King used for The Long Walk.
The panelists dove into their experiences, from meeting Stephen King himself to preserving the impact of Mark Hamill’s performance as The Major. They also discussed the brutal challenge of walking dozens of miles a day for the film. Also, they talked about the unique camaraderie that developed among the cast during this one-of-a-kind filmmaking experience.
Blacked-Out Footage Leaves Audiences Stunned
To wrap up the eventful panel, a special message from Director Francis Lawrence and star Ben Wang played in the room, introducing an exclusive viewing of the first 22 minutes of the film. The twist? A disclaimer popped up, warning that parts of the footage would be blacked out because they were too intense for Hall H. And then, it rolled.
Audiences were left with one lingering question: How far could you go?
The Long Walk is directed by Francis Lawrence, known for his skill in crafting epic and emotionally resonant stories, as seen in his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. The screenplay, which aims to capture the raw intensity of King’s writing, is penned by JT Mollner.
The Cast Ready for the Ordeal
Joining the previously announced lead, Cooper Hoffman, is a talented ensemble cast. The film features David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, and Charlie Plummer. Ben Wang, Jordan Gonzalez, Joshua Odjick, and Roman Griffin Davis round out the cast of young walkers. Judy Greer and the legendary Mark Hamill also star in the film.
The Story: A Deadly March for Survival
Published in 1979 under King’s pseudonym, Richard Bachman, The Long Walk paints a bleak picture of a dystopian future America. In the film, a brutal, annual walking contest forces 100 teenage boys into a relentless, non-stop march. The ultimate prize for the sole survivor? A wish granted, but at the devastating cost of the lives of the other 99 participants.
We experience this horrifying competition through the eyes of Raymond Garraty, a 16-year-old, and the teenagers who walk alongside him. Among them are individuals ranging from the genuinely good to the disturbingly sinister. However, they are all united by the shared physical agony and psychological torment of the Long Walk.
The Long Walk promises to be more than just a tale of physical endurance; it will delve into the core of human resilience and the will to persevere in the face of unimaginable hardship.
Coming This Fall
Lionsgate is bringing this intense and thought-provoking adaptation to the big screen on September 12, 2025. The Long Walk is poised to be another significant addition to the ever-expanding universe of Stephen King adaptations.
