Lionsgate has announced an ambitious awards season strategy for their Stephen King adaptation, The Long Walk, confirming plans to run a unified Oscar campaign for the film’s entire principal cast. This Stephen King movie Oscar campaign will see every lead, including standouts Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson, promoted for supporting acting awards—a notable move that highlights the ensemble nature of the story.
The Long Walk premiered in September, adapted for the screen by JT Mollner from Stephen King’s original novel. The film places viewers in a chilling near-future, following teenagers forced to participate in a deadly marathon where slowing down results in a fatal consequence. Under the direction of Francis Lawrence—renowned for helming films in The Hunger Games series—the film has achieved both critical and audience acclaim, evidenced by its impressive 88% “certified fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Lionsgate Highlights Ensemble Performances in Oscar Push
What sets The Long Walk apart, and likely inspired Lionsgate’s unconventional approach, is the extraordinary chemistry among its actors. While Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson are central figures, each member of the ensemble contributes significantly to the film’s emotional impact. The camaraderie and tension among the teens, facing imminent danger together, deepen the film’s resonance with audiences.
According to Variety, the creative team firmly believes the film’s story and emotional core reside not in a singular protagonist, but in the collective efforts of its cast. As a result, Lionsgate plans to promote all major actors—including Ben Wang, Garrett Wareing, Charlie Plummer, Tut Nyuot Jordan Gonzalez, and Joshua Odjick—for potential nominations in supporting categories across major awards platforms. These categories include the Oscars, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, BAFTAs, and Independent Spirit Awards. The studio’s campaign also extends to Judy Greer, who portrays the mother of Hoffman’s character, aiming for recognition in supporting actress races at the same prominent events.
Spotlight on a Powerful Year for Stephen King Adaptations
The campaign for The Long Walk arrives as 2025 proves to be an exceptional year for Stephen King’s work on the screen, with other notable releases like The Life of Chuck and The Running Man capturing attention as well. This wave of adaptations is distinguished by each director’s unique take, but Francis Lawrence’s stark and timely interpretation in The Long Walk has particularly resonated with critics and viewers alike.
Observers are eager to see whether lesser-known cast members might garner surprise nominations, breaking out from under the shadows of the film’s early favorites. The final scenes of The Long Walk, marked by blistering emotion from every actor, have especially drawn praise, making the film’s stakes feel both urgent and authentic.
Main Characters and the Ensemble’s Impact
The principal roles include Cooper Hoffman as Raymond Garraty and David Jonsson as Peter McVries—characters whose journeys anchor the film’s exploration of human endurance and solidarity. The supporting cast, featuring Ben Wang, Garrett Wareing, Charlie Plummer, Tut Nyuot Jordan Gonzalez, and Joshua Odjick, ensures every moment contains fresh energy and dramatic tension.
With Lionsgate’s unconventional yet passionate push, The Long Walk’s ensemble-driven Oscar campaign not only marks a shift in awards season strategy, but also highlights how powerful collective performances can elevate a film in the eyes of critics, industry insiders, and audiences. As the awards season advances, the industry will watch closely to see how this united approach might shape future campaigns for ensemble films.
