How Star Wars’ Most Divisive Movie Inspired Acclaimed Stephen King Adaptation

by

In a surprising continuation from his brief, unspoken appearance in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, Mark Hamill’s character Luke Skywalker took the spotlight in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”. Fans were thrilled to see their beloved Jedi Master return after so many years, but not all reactions were positive. One of the main reasons “The Last Jedi” stirred such controversy among Star Wars fans was its portrayal of Luke. Some viewers felt disheartened that the former optimistic hero had turned into a bitter cynic. Instead of eagerly joining the battle, the older Skywalker exhibited a world-weary demeanor. This characterization didn’t sit well with every Star Wars fan, but it did appeal to director Francis Lawrence of “The Long Walk”.

During an interview with Screen Rant, the director shared his reasoning behind casting Mark Hamill as The Major in The Long Walk. He mentioned Hamill’s performances in the controversial Star Wars sequel trilogy as the inspiration for this choice. As the director put it, “I was searching for someone unique, and then I thought of Mark. His work in the recent Star Wars films probably influenced my decision. There was a certain weariness about him that suited The Major perfectly, and he possessed a weighty presence that I appreciated. Additionally, I knew Hamill had an impressive resume of voice acting roles, which gave him a strong ability to embody and bring life to various character types and voices.

The Long Walk Is Generating Positive Buzz Thanks to Its Performances

Despite not hitting theaters until September 12th, the movie “The Long Walk” is already creating a lot of favorable talk. Preliminary responses to “The Long Walk” have lauded the adaptation for its gritty atmosphere, thought-provoking themes, and stellar performances from the cast. Many viewers have particularly noted Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson (who play two of the young men on the titled long walk), but Hamill’s performance has also been mentioned as a standout. His character is an imposing presence; this role marks one of the scariest performances Hamill has given since the Joker.

In the film’s backing circle is none other than Stephen King himself. As Lawrence and screenwriter JT Mollner remarked this year, King appeared genuinely delighted following a screening of “The Long Walk”. Once deemed impossible to adapt for the screen, it’s quite an accomplishment that this movie version has earned so much praise. Notably, many of King’s works have been successfully translated to film and television, with “The Long Walk” promising to join their esteemed ranks.

From glimpses of The Major in trailers for The Long Walk, it’s clear he’s quite different from Luke Skywalker. Yet, it’s understandable why Lawrence chose Hamill for the role, given the influence of The Last Jedi. In that film, the Luke that Rey encounters on Ahch-To exhibits a rugged edge. He’s endured much and uses his wisdom to test Rey, encouraging her as she progresses on her quest. The Major represents a darker take on this theme, overseeing the long walk and relentlessly pushing the participants to uncover their potential until only one remains victorious.

Apart from his usual fatigue about the world, it’s intriguing to anticipate the weighty portrayal Hamill will give to The Major character. In ‘The Last Jedi’, Hamill showed a broad spectrum of dramatic skills, skillfully conveying Luke’s guilt and creating a nuanced, empathetic performance. From Lawrence’s comments, it seems Hamill’s Major could be more than just a simplistic villain tormenting the young men on their long journey. There’s potential for depth to this character, and if ‘The Long Walk’ resonates with audiences as much as initial impressions suggest, they might credit it for giving a fresh perspective on the controversial sequel trilogy.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/stephen-king-unkown-tv-show-connections/embed/#

Read More

2025-08-27 22:15