Lionsgate Shares the First Trailer for The Long Walk
The first trailer for The Long Walk, directed by Francis Lawrence, dropped on May 7, 2025, igniting excitement for the long-awaited adaptation of Stephen King’s 1979 dystopian novel, written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman. Slated for a theatrical release on September 12, 2025, via Lionsgate, the film boasts an intense, emotional thriller that stays faithful to King’s bleak vision.
The Long Walk (2025) | Lionsgate
The Long Walk (2025) | Lionsgate
Set in a dystopian future, The Long Walk follows a large group of teenage boys in a grueling contest where they must maintain a speed of three miles per hour without stopping. The last one standing wins; the rest face a grim fate. The trailer, featuring Shaboozey’s “Last of My Kind,” starts with a deceptive coming-of-age tone before plunging into the story’s visceral horrors, with the tagline “Walk or die” setting the stakes. Cooper Hoffman stars as Ray Garraty, whose bond with Peter McVries (David Jonsson) forms the emotional core, while Mark Hamill plays the sinister Major, orchestrating the deadly marathon. The cast also includes Judy Greer, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, and Jordan Gonzalez, rounding out the ensemble.
Lawrence, known for The Hunger Games franchise, and produced by Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, and others, brings the film to life after several stalled attempts by filmmakers like George A. Romero and Frank Darabont. Now, Lawrence’s vision, paired with a script by JT Mollner, aims to capture the novel’s psychological and physical toll, with the trailer hinting at a faithful adaptation that doesn’t shy away from King’s dark themes.
As The Long Walk gears up for its September premiere, the trailer positions it as a gripping addition to King’s cinematic legacy. Will you be watching The Long Walk?
