Among this year’s most eagerly awaited Stephen King adaptations, “The Long Walk” is set to hit theaters soon. Directed by Francis Lawrence (known for “Constantine” and “The Hunger Games” series) and penned by JT Mollner of “Strange Darling,” this dystopian horror drama aims to preserve the grim and desolate atmosphere of King’s 1979 novel. At San Diego Comic-Con, ComicBook had a chat with Mollner, actors Garrett Wareing and Tut Nyuot, and producer Roy Lee about the forthcoming King adaptation. During their discussion, Mollner confessed that one of his major challenges in scripting “The Long Walk” was fearing that Stephen King wouldn‘t approve of the movie.
Mollner expressed his enthusiasm about adapting the novel, but also admitted feeling apprehensive due to his deep affection for the author. However, when Roy introduced him to Francis and explained his vision for the movie, it was exactly the kind of film Mollner wanted to write. Being well-acquainted with Stephen King and thrilled by Francis’s vision for the movie, he felt certain he would enjoy writing it and knew how he wanted to approach it. All he could think about was whether Stephen King would approve. Therefore, when we learned that he did like it, it was a significant and relieving moment for him.
He went on to express his passion for creating unique narratives, but acknowledged that if he finds a story that resonates deeply with him, one that seems like it could have originated from within him or shares a similar artistic spirit, he feels drawn to it. He felt this connection with ‘Francis.’ Although there are some narrative similarities between this and other films Francis has directed, he emphasized that this project represents a fresh departure for him. He described his approach to this film as exceptionally distinctive, true to King’s creative essence, and one he was fully committed to.
The Long Walk” was Stephen King’s debut novel, penned at the age of 19 in 1967 and published later under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Throughout the years, numerous filmmakers have attempted to bring “The Long Walk” to life on the big screen, with George A. Romero, Frank Darabont, and André Øvredal among them. King recently mentioned in an interview with Vanity Fair that the ruthless nature of his book might be the reason previous adaptations did not succeed.
In “The Long Walk” movie, we follow Ray Garraty (Cooper Hoffman) and Peter McVries (David Jonsson), along with a vast group of characters, as they join an annual, lethal walking competition in a dystopian United States. The Major (Mark Hamill) oversees this grueling endurance test, which continues until only one contestant remains alive. This massive group of young men walk aimlessly without a clear destination, and anyone who can’t keep up a pace of over three miles per hour, attempts to escape, or becomes too weak is eliminated. If their speed falters, they receive multiple warnings to pick it back up; failing to do so results in immediate execution by one of The Major’s guards watching the contest.
The Long Walk will arrive in theaters on September 12th.
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2025-08-03 23:09