It may have taken decades to get cameras rolling on this movie, but The Long Walk is moving at a blistering pace now, that much is certain. Based on Stephen King’s 1979 novel of the same name, which he published under the name Richard Bachman, production recently began on the film with Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games) directing, and Lionsgate on board as the studio. Now, we have word that two more actors have joined the already sizable ensemble cast in the form of Star Wars icon Mark Hamill and Judy Greer, who automatically makes everything she touches better.
Fango has learned that Hamill and Greer are boarding the film, though their roles remain under wraps. They join an ensemble of young actors that was revealed as filming got underway led by Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza) and David Jonsson (Industry). The cast also includes Garrett Wareing (Ransom Canyon), Tut Nyuot (The Witcher: Blood Origin), Charlie Plummer (Spontaneous), Ben Wang (American Born Chinese), Jordan Gonzalez (Pretty Little Liars: Summer School), Joshua Odjick (Bones of Crows) and Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo Rabbit).
Hamill is best known as Luke Skywalker but he’s no stranger to the horror genre. The actor recently appeared in Mike Flanagan’s The Fall of the House of Usher, for one, and he’s also appearing in the director’s forthcoming feature adaptation of King’s The Life of Chuck. Some of the actor’s other notable genre credits include What We Do in the Shadows and 2018’s Child’s Play remake.
Greer, meanwhile, is a true Swiss Army Knife of an actress, who perhaps doesn’t get the credit she deserves. Again, no stranger to horror, Greer has starred in Jurassic World, the recent Halloween trilogy, an underseen installment of Hulu’s Into the Dark anthology series titled Good boy and the Carrie remake. Both of these actors only serve to make this long-awaited film better, that much is certain.
George A. Romero, Frank Darabont and others tried to get this book turned into a movie over the years, with no success. This latest iteration came together quickly, with JT Mollner penning the screenplay. A synopsis had yet to be provided but the plot for King’s original novel reads as follows:
“In the near future, where America has become a police state, one hundred boys are selected to enter an annual contest where the winner will be awarded whatever he wants for the rest of his life. The game is simple – maintain a steady walking pace of four miles per hour without stopping. Three warnings, and you’re out – permanently.”
The Long Walk does not currently have a release date. For more, be sure to read about King’s upcoming book Always Holly.
