The Stephen King The Long Walk adaptation arrives in theaters nationwide on September 12, introducing audiences to a harrowing tale of endurance, power, and survival. Directed by Francis Lawrence and scripted by J.T. Mollner, this film revisits the 1979 novel written under King’s Richard Bachman pseudonym, depicting a brutal, annual contest where a group of teenagers must continuously walk without stopping or face deadly consequences. The story’s enduring themes of friendship, loyalty, and authoritarianism resonate profoundly in today’s world.
The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Mark Hamill, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Cooper Hoffman, and Charlie Plummer, who bring depth and humanity to the complex characters navigating this grueling competition. At San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Collider’s Perri Nemiroff spoke with the cast, producer Roy Lee, and screenwriter J.T. Mollner about the film’s creation, challenges during production, and the thematic relevance maintained from the original work.
Preserving Core Themes of Authority and Resilience from King’s Original Work
J.T. Mollner shared insight into the painstaking process of adapting The Long Walk’s themes for a contemporary audience. Having read the novel multiple times to absorb its layered meaning, Mollner emphasized how the story’s metaphors about power structures and societal control remain deeply relevant today.
“What is Stephen King saying here? What are these metaphors, and what do they mean? How do they apply to the world today?”
—J.T. Mollner, Screenwriter
He explained that despite being set decades ago, the narrative explores ongoing struggles with authoritarianism and the tension between individual ambition and collective survival. Mollner noted the filmmakers’ commitment to maintaining King’s original “DNA” of story, especially highlighting the emotional core as a story about friendship, loyalty, and love—elements that anchor the intense competition.
The casting process played a pivotal role in achieving this balance, with the chemistry among the young actors lending the story warmth amid its grim premise. Mollner said the friendship showcased on screen is “a beautiful thing to watch” and crucial to honoring King’s vision.
Setting the Story in an Alternative Timeline Enhances Narrative Impact
The film’s setting is intentionally placed in an ambiguous, altered version of America, enhancing the story’s suspense and themes. Mollner described it as “sort of out of time,” suggesting it represents a world where history took a different course, possibly diverging during the 1960s with consequences from an alternate outcome of a major war.
This “out-of-time” backdrop adds a surreal quality and heightens the stakes of the deadly walk, situating the story in a dystopian reality that feels both familiar and unsettling. Producer Roy Lee elaborated on how director Francis Lawrence’s choice to film the movie sequentially deepened the actors’ immersion, allowing their physical and mental states to evolve naturally as the narrative progressed.
“Now these guys got to walk essentially what the kids walked in the movies over the course of the production of the movie.”
—Roy Lee, Producer
This method of filming demanded a physically grueling commitment from the cast, who endured real exhaustion and transformation as part of their performances, lending authenticity to their portrayal of the contestants’ relentless journey.
Exploring the Contestants: Strengths and Flaws That Define the Walk
The actors delved into their characters’ motivations and vulnerabilities, highlighting the personal traits that might lead someone to win or fail in The Long Walk. Garrett Wareing’s character Stebbins embodies isolation and self-preservation, determined to win at all costs by distancing himself emotionally from the group.
“I’m going to beat all of them. I’m going to win this.”
—Garrett Wareing, Actor
His withdrawal is both his greatest strength and his weakness, as forming bonds could leave him vulnerable. In contrast, Tut Nyuot’s Art Baker represents kindness, rooted in faith and fellowship, approaching the walk with a desire to build friendships and support his fellow contestants.
However, this empathetic outlook puts Art at a disadvantage in such a brutal contest, underscoring the tension between survival instincts and humanity. The film presents this dynamic struggle among characters as a reflection of youthful naivety confronting harsh realities.
The Demanding Physicality of Filming The Long Walk
The production’s unique approach—to shoot the movie sequentially while having actors physically walk extensive distances during filming—created an exhausting but rewarding environment. The cast described how every item carried during the journey became a burden, both physically and mentally, influencing their performances.
Garrett Wareing spoke about the practical challenges, such as carrying a canteen, which added to the characters’ fatigue and body language that changes with each step. J.T. Mollner, reflecting on the bleak nature of the story, admitted he might bring something sharp or even a pill to survive the ordeal.
“I just wouldn’t want the soldiers to do it to me.”
—J.T. Mollner, Screenwriter
Producer Roy Lee kept it simple, saying he would bring nothing and “just do it,” highlighting the stark reality faced by the characters.
A Look at the Ensemble: Performances that Bring Depth to Every Role
The cast and crew praised the collective strength of the ensemble, emphasizing how each actor contributed nuanced performances that highlight individual struggles within the group. Mark Hamill underscored the standout quality of everyone involved, creating a tapestry of rich character portrayals.
Garrett Wareing particularly praised Tut Nyuot for his immersive physicality, describing how slowly limping or shifting posture conveyed the gradual toll of the walk with compelling subtlety. Ben Wang also received recognition for his emotional portrayal of exhaustion and desperation, making the audience feel the story physically and emotionally.
“My god, that’s incredible, and I can’t wait for moviegoers to get to see it on the big screen.”
—Garrett Wareing, Actor
Mollner highlighted an important aspect of the narrative—there are no clear-cut villains in the group, despite the presence of antagonistic characters. Instead, every participant carries their own perspective and motivations, making the story a complex study of human nature rather than a typical good-vs-evil tale.
“As far as the ensemble group goes, everybody’s got a point of view, and everybody has a reason for the way they’re behaving, just like in real life. Let’s forgive these characters.”
—J.T. Mollner, Screenwriter
This approach allowed actors like Garrett Wareing and Charlie Plummer to add unexpected depth and sympathy even to “villainous” roles, broadening the emotional terrain of the film.
Upcoming Projects: J.T. Mollner’s New Stephen King Adaptation
During the panel, Mollner revealed he is also adapting another Stephen King novel, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, for the screen. This project holds personal significance for him, as his mother had long considered it her favorite King novel and encouraged him to read it.
“You’ve got to read this. It’s my favorite Stephen King book.”
—J.T. Mollner, Screenwriter
He shared how the passion for that story stayed with him throughout his early career and how producer Roy Lee helped bring the project closer to fruition. This new adaptation is set to follow The Long Walk, earlier announced and now moving steadily toward production.
“If I’m ever in a position to do it, I’m going to make a movie version of The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon for you.”
—J.T. Mollner, Screenwriter
The Long Walk Premieres Nationwide This September
With its release imminent, The Long Walk offers viewers a tense and compelling cinematic experience rooted in Stephen King’s haunting vision and modernized for today’s audience. The film explores timeless struggles with authority, friendship, and survival through a physically demanding production that enriches its performances. Fans and newcomers alike will witness a story that probes the darker sides of human nature while celebrating endurance and camaraderie.
As audiences step into this “out of time” world on September 12, the film invites reflection on power dynamics and the resilience needed to face daunting challenges, making it a striking addition to the lineage of Stephen King adaptations.
