Mark Hamill revealed that he initially felt uneasy about the altered ending of the movie adaptation of Stephen King The Long Walk, but found reassurance when the author himself expressed approval. Hamill was even more encouraged by the positive reaction from audiences following test screenings of the film.
Warning: this article contains significant spoilers for The Long Walk. If you have not yet seen the movie, consider stopping here.
Stephen King’s Approval Was Key to Changes in the Film’s Finale
Despite feeling nervous about the major changes made to the conclusion, Hamill explained that Stephen King‘s endorsement gave everyone involved the confidence to proceed. The screenwriter for The Long Walk highlighted that the changes were implemented out of respect for King’s work, aiming to satisfy fans of the horror author. Once King approved, production moved forward without hesitation.
“The fact that they made a major change like that – it made me nervous,”
Hamill shared with GamesRadar+.
“I mean, we would’ve have had to change it if he didn’t. But he approved of it, and I’m glad he did. I said to Lawrence, ‘If I’ve done my job correctly, when I get shot, the whole audience should erupt in applause.’ And after a couple of test screenings, he said, ‘You’ll be pleased to know, there was a big cheer when you get it.’ I thought, ‘Oh, good. I’ve done my job correctly.’”
—Mark Hamill
Plot Details Highlight Differences Between the Book and Movie
Mark Hamill plays the Major, a fascist military dictator controlling what remains of the United States. He is responsible for organizing the annual Long Walk, a brutal contest forcing 50 men to march relentlessly until only one survives. The event is portrayed as a twisted method to establish “fairness” in the ravaged country.
In Stephen King’s original novel, Ray Garraty, played by Cooper Hoffman, wins the contest and continues walking past the Major, following a mysterious figure into darkness. The film changes this ending by having Peter McVries (David Jonsson), the winner, shoot and kill the Major in retaliation. This act is tied to Ray’s plan to assassinate the Major if he emerged victorious.
The motivation behind the contest winner’s revenge is deepened by the film’s depiction of the Major murdering Ray’s father in front of his family, a detail implied but not explicitly shown in the novel. The book refers to the death as the father being “squadded,” meaning taken away and never seen again. This brutal on-screen act in the movie adds emotional weight to Ray’s quest for victory and justice.
Although the movie concludes with McVries killing the Major, the fate of McVries himself remains uncertain, leaving viewers with an open-ended finish.
The Long Walk Is Now Screening in Theaters
The Long Walk has been released in theaters, offering fans a dystopian horror thriller that both honors Stephen King’s vision and introduces significant changes to keep audiences engaged. Mark Hamill’s performance as the authoritarian Major adds intensity to the film’s dark narrative.
As the film continues to draw viewers, discussions around its plot and altered conclusion are sure to influence how future Stephen King adaptations balance faithfulness to the source material with creative reinterpretation.
