Mark Hamill explains why he almost refused the long walk before Francis Lawrence changes his mind

Stephen King Fans are finally seeing one of his most obsessive novels brought to the big screen. The long walk It makes its debut on the program of the 2025 film today, and it is not only the same adaptation that makes people speak, it is also Mark Hamill Enter a new chilling role.

Known by generations such as Luke Skywalker, Hamill plays the evil figure known as the major, a part that almost did not take.

Hamill revealed that initially wanted to get away from the project entirely due to the topic. Speaking with EW, he admitted: “I hate pistols”, when he explains why he was ready to transmit the role.

The story follows a fatal competition in which the boys are forced to continue walking or facing the execution, and the constant presence of armed soldiers was initially a dealbreaker for him.

Hamill even took the phone alone to call the director Francis Lawrence and lower the offer. But that conversation ended up changing his perspective completely. As Hamill explained:

“I realized that this is the exact boy who should do it.”

While The long walk He focuses mainly on young people who take part in the brutal race, Hamill’s main plays a fundamental part in modeling the tone of history.

His presence is commander, unnerving and surprisingly perfect for the film, even if it is not the type of role that fans would expect from him. Fortunately, Lawrence convinced him to stay on board.

For years, many have believed The long walk It was impossible to adapt due to its disturbing topic, above all because violence is aimed at teenagers. The film is intense and often excruciating, but surprisingly, it does not rest for infinite graphic violence.

That change of focus was exactly what Hamill conquered. He shared his prospect about why the story works as he does:

“Clearly, it is not about violence. This is the final punishment for bankruptcy, but I think the way it is structured, the first death is the most graphic and the public records that in their memory.

“Any other elimination is at the maximum superficial. These are not brains that explode … these are the relationships of these guys. The true heart and soul of the picture are their experiences in these incredible circumstances.”

While the film has lost its share of blood, it is less of the blood and more on survival, the friendship and the overwhelming weight of inevitability.

The long walk It is not an easy clock and the ending affects even harder than King’s original novel, but it is a powerful piece of cinema.

The young cast is incredible and Hamill’s turn while the largest adds a dominant presence that elevates the entire film. It is a dark lap, but one that King and Hamill fans will not want to lose you.