Mark Hamill Explains Why He Almost Turned Down THE LONG WALK Before Francis Lawrence Changed His Mind
Stephen King fans are finally getting to see one of his most haunting novels brought to the big screen. The Long Walk makes its debut on the 2025 movie schedule today, and it’s not just the adaptation itself that has people talking, it’s also Mark Hamill stepping into a chilling new role.
Known to generations as Luke Skywalker, Hamill plays the villainous figure known as The Major, a part he almost didn’t take.
Hamill revealed that he initially wanted to walk away from the project entirely because of the subject matter. Speaking with EW, he admitted, “I hate guns,” when explaining why he was ready to pass on the role.
The story follows a deadly competition where boys are forced to keep walking or face execution, and the constant presence of armed soldiers was a dealbreaker for him at first.
Hamill even picked up the phone himself to call director Francis Lawrence and turn down the offer. But that conversation ended up completely changing his perspective. As Hamill explained:
“I realized this is the exact guy who should do this.”
While The Long Walk primarily focuses on the young men who take part in the brutal contest, Hamill’s Major plays a key part in shaping the tone of the story.
His presence is commanding, unnerving, and surprisingly perfect for the film, even if it’s not the kind of role fans would expect from him. Thankfully, Lawrence convinced him to stay on board.
For years, many believed The Long Walk was impossible to adapt because of its disturbing subject matter, especially since the violence targets teenagers. The movie is intense and often heartbreaking, but surprisingly, it doesn’t lean on endless graphic violence.
That shift in focus was exactly what won Hamill over. He shared his perspective on why the story works the way it does:
“Clearly, it's not about the violence. That's the ultimate punishment for failing, but I think the way it's structured, the first death is the most graphic and the audience records that in their memory.
“Every other elimination is perfunctory at best. It's not about brains exploding.... It's about the relationships of these guys. The real heart and soul of the picture are their experiences under these incredible circumstances.”
While the movie does shed it’s fare share of blood, it less about the gore and more about survival, friendship, and the crushing weight of inevitability.
The Long Walk isn’t an easy watch, and the ending hits even harder than King’s original novel, but it’s a powerful piece of cinema.
The young cast is incredible, and Hamill’s turn as The Major adds a commanding presence that elevates the entire movie. It’s a dark ride, but one that fans of King and Hamill alike won’t want to miss.
