(L to R) Cooper Hoffman as Garraty and David Jonsson as McVries in ‘The Long Walk’. Photo Credit: Murray Close.
Preview:
- Stephen King adaptation The Long Walk arrived at Comic-Con.
- Mark Hamill and Garrett Wareing were among those on the panel.
- The movie will be released in September.
‘The Long Walk’, just the latest adaptation of prolific author Stephen King’s work –– in this case, a dystopian tale of an annual event that ends with the death of everyone competing save the winner.
With ‘Hunger Games’ director Francis Lawrence overseeing the new movie, it has a dark premise but an impressive cast that includes Cooper Hoffman, Mark Hamill, Garrett Wareing and Ben Wang.
“The task is simple: walk or die.”
Every year, fifty teenage boys meet for an event known throughout the country as “The Long Walk.” Among this year’s chosen crop is sixteen-year-old Ray Garraty…. Read the Plot
Lionsgate is betting on this one being a success, and brought filmmakers and actors to Comic-Con to raise awareness.
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What’s the story of ‘The Long Walk’?
Mark Hamill at The Major in ‘The Long Walk’. Photo: Lionsgate.
Every year, fifty teenage boys meet for an event known throughout the country as “The Long Walk.”
Among this year’s chosen crop is sixteen-year-old Ray Garraty (Hoffman). He knows the rules: that warnings are issued if you fall under speed, stumble, sit down. That after three warnings… you get your ticket.
And what happens then serves as a chilling reminder that there can be only one winner in the Walk. The one that survives.
What happened at ‘The Long Walk’s panel?
(L to R) Mark Hamill as The Major and Director Francis Lawrence in ‘The Long Walk’. Photo Credit: Murray Close.
The movie’s panel opened with the latest trailer and then a soldier taking the stage with a loud hailer to explain the premise of the walk to the audience.
Producer Roy Lee and writer JT Mollner were first up on the panel, with Lee praising Mollner’s script for getting the movie made after years in development.
For his part, Mollner recounted underlining dialogue from the book he wanted to use –– suffice to say, he underlined a lot!
Joining them on stage were the likes of Hamill, Wareing, David Jonsson, Tut Nyuot and other cast. The early banter between the young actors in particular was mostly enthusiastic descriptions of their characters’ arcs and praise for their co-stars’ skills.
Hamill revealed that Stephen King had casting approval –– and specifically wanted him to play the character of the Mayor, who oversees the Walk. For his part, Hamill wanted to dehumanize the character as much as possible.
Lawrence and Ben Wang weren’t present at the panel –– they’re both at work on ‘The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping’ –– but they sent a video praising their colleagues and hyping ‘The Long Walk’.
The panel wrapped up with a screening of the first 22 minutes of the movie. Tense stuff!
When will ‘The Long Walk’ be in theaters?
The new Stephen King adaptation marches into theaters on September 12th.
‘The Long Walk’ opens in theaters on September 12th.
