A tense new trailer has dropped for The Long Walk, the upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s first-written novel—originally published under his pseudonym Richard Bachman. Directed by Hunger Games filmmaker Francis Lawrence, this survival thriller takes audiences into a grim future where 100 teen boys are forced to keep walking in a militarised endurance contest, with only one allowed to live. King came up with a harrowing concept – and it looks like the adaptation won’t be softening the blows. Watch the trailer above and read on for more details.
Walk or die: A brutal story of youth under pressure
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Set in a near-future America under strict military control, The Long Walk follows teenager Raymond Garraty (Cooper Hoffman) and fellow competitors as they take part in a yearly walking contest that ends when just one boy is left standing. Stop walking, for any reason, and you’re shot on the spot.
The trailer teases the psychological and physical toll of the march, focusing on the emotional connection between Raymond and Peter McVries (David Jonsson, Alien: Romulus). “Nobody wants it more than me,” Raymond says at one point. Along the road, friendships are formed—but as Jonsson’s character warns, “You shouldn’t make friends on The Long Walk.”
Cast camaraderie and keeping distance from the Major
The film had a presence at San Diego Comic-Con, with screenwriter JT Mollner assuring the crowd that the adaptation remains true to the novel’s harsh tone: “We kept the teeth… It’s an unrelenting and brave film.” Actor Mark Hamill—who plays the unyielding commander known as The Major—wasn’t at the panel, but his presence loomed large.
In an interview with People, Hamill revealed that his younger co-stars initially wanted to avoid him during production. “Cooper [Hoffman] didn’t want to meet me… he was afraid he’d like me,” Hamill shared. “I totally respect that.” The plan for a cast hangout was scrapped, and Hamill instead took a case-by-case approach—talking only to those who initiated it. “Some of them wanted to stay away, for obvious reasons. Because I’m their archnemesis. I’m the antagonist.”
Still, once filming wrapped, the distance dissolved. Hoffman came straight to Hamill’s trailer, and the two spent hours talking. Jonsson also got to know Hamill, saying, “Afterwards, I’ve spoken to this guy and he’s just so funny and so caring and kind… I love him.”
Off camera, the cast forged real connections. Garrett Wareing (Stebbins) shared that a Friday ritual involved ice cream runs to Dairy Queen to decompress after gruelling shooting days in sweltering Canadian heat. Tut Nyuot (Arthur Baker) added, “This is the most fun I’ve ever had on a set… You lean on each other.” Of Hamill, Nyuot said, “What I’ve seen from him is his ability to be so kind and genuine and professional… What matters is how you make people feel.”
A cast of rising stars and a director who knows dystopia
Francis Lawrence brings his dystopian world-building back into play following I Am Legend and, of course, his Hunger Games films. He directs here from a screenplay by JT Mollner, who directed and wrote 2023 thriller Strange Darling (highly recommended) and 2016 western Outlaws and Angels.
The cast includes Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Jordan Gonzalez, Joshua Odjick, Josh Hamilton, and Judy Greer.
Release dates
The Long Walk opens in Australian cinemas on September 11 and in the U.S. on September 12.
