The Long Walk 2025: Mark Hamill Brings Stephen King’s Villain to Life

Mark Hamill is stepping into a chilling new role. The actor plays The Major in The Long Walk 2025, the latest film adaptation of Stephen King’s dystopian classic. The movie will hit U.S. theaters on September 12, 2025, with Lionsgate handling distribution.

The story takes place in a future America under total control. Teenagers are forced into a brutal walking contest. Fall behind the three-mile-per-hour pace, and they die. The contest ends when only one boy is left alive.

The Long Walk 2025 Story and Cast

Directed by Francis Lawrence, known for The Hunger Games, the movie holds close to King’s bleak vision. The screenplay comes from JT Mollner.

Hamill’s Major is the ruthless figure who enforces the rules. Speaking to Screen Rant, Hamill said he embraces being hated on screen. “As an actor, any response you get is good,” he explained. “I love being hated if I’m doing it right.”

Cooper Hoffman stars as Raymond Garraty, the boy at the heart of the story. He is joined by David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, and Jordan Gonzalez. Judy Greer and Josh Hamilton play Garraty’s parents.

Behind the scenes, Jo Willems works as cinematographer, while Jeremiah Fraites composed the score. MGM and Lionsgate back the project, which has been in development for years.

Why The Long Walk 2025 Matters

Stephen King first published The Long Walk under his Richard Bachman name in 1979. It remains one of his most haunting stories. The idea of a game of death for entertainment has inspired later works like The Hunger Games and Battle Royale.

Now, with Francis Lawrence at the helm, the tale comes full circle. Hamill’s role as The Major adds weight to the film’s dark tone. Known for his iconic roles as both heroes and villains, Hamill’s performance is set to be one of the highlights.

For fans of King, this is not just another horror story. It is a grim look at control, survival, and human endurance. The film’s timing, in an age of dystopian popularity, could push it to major box office success.

The Long Walk 2025 is one of the most anticipated Stephen King adaptations of the decade. Fans are eager to see if it can capture the same dread that made the book unforgettable.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: When is The Long Walk 2025 release date?

The film releases in U.S. theaters on September 12, 2025. Lionsgate is distributing it nationwide.

Q2: Who plays The Major in The Long Walk 2025?

Mark Hamill plays The Major, the ruthless overseer of the deadly contest.

Q3: Who directed The Long Walk 2025?

Francis Lawrence directed the movie. He is best known for *The Hunger Games* films.

Q4: What is the story of The Long Walk?

Teenagers must walk at least three miles per hour. If they fall below the pace too often, they are executed. Only one survives.

Q5: Is The Long Walk based on a Stephen King book?

Yes. The movie adapts Stephen King’s 1979 novel, originally published under his Richard Bachman pen name.