Lionsgate has announced that it’s bringing “The Long Walk,” the highly anticipated adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, directed by Francis Lawrence (“The Hunger Games” franchise), to Comic-Con on Friday, July 25 at 3 p.m.
The Hall H panel will be moderated by Eric Vespe and Anthony Breznican, hosts of the Stephen King podcast, “The Kingcast.” It will include film stars David Jonsson, Tut Nyuot, Garrett Wareing, Charlie Plummer, and Mark Hamill, along with producer Roy Lee and screenwriter JT Mollner.
King’s 1979 novel is set in an alternative, dystopian version of the United States. The plot revolves around the Long Walk, an annual, televised contest in which 100 young men walk without stopping along U.S. Route 1. Those who stop for too long are penalized, and those with repeated infractions are eliminated. The film adaptation aims to be an intense, chilling, and emotionally charged thriller that challenges audiences to confront a haunting question: how far could you go?
In support of the upcoming panel, Lionsgate debuted the film’s character posters and shared additional details about each character.
Raymond Garraty, #47 (Cooper Hoffman)
Underneath Ray’s easygoing manner is a passionate, natural leader who’s deeply empathetic. His closeness to his mother makes participation in The Long Walk a tough choice. Ray and Peter emerge as natural allies and, over time, develop a true friendship.
Peter McVries, #23 (David Jonsson)
Exuding confidence, gregarious Peter McVries is an aspirational figure. With a deep well of empathy and grit, he’s the spiritual core of the group, even as he grapples with the ghosts of his past that brought him to this moment. The brotherly bond he forms with Ray is a catalyst that challenges Ray’s value system as the gruesomeness of the walk intensifies around them.
Stebbins, #38 (Garrett Wareing)
Called a “fitness nut” and “Superman” before the walk begins, blond-haired, jelly sandwich-eating Stebbins seems like the one to beat to his fellow walkers. He’s strong and tall with a tough exterior, and also claims he hasn’t been sick in over 10 years. Full of facts and statistics, Stebbins seems to be the poster child for The Long Walk.
Arthur Baker, #6 (Tut Nyuot)
Having grown up dirt-poor, Arthur is more than ready to undergo the punishing demands of The Long Walk for a lifetime of riches and the fulfillment of his wish: to travel to the moon in a space rocket. His gentle manner and religious conviction ground Arthur’s drive to win.
Gary Barkovitch, #5 (Charlie Plummer)
The self-appointed agitator of the group, Gary Barkovitch, has a strategy to mercilessly taunt his co-competitors while using his camera to capture the experience of The Long Walk from the inside. But cracks start to appear in Barkovitch’s aggressive front after he’s targeted with his contempt and ridicule.
Hank Olson, #46 (Ben Wang)
Street-smart, superstitious, and always ready to share an unsolicited and unfiltered opinion, Hank bonds with Ray, Peter, and Arthur to form a group they call “The Four Musketeers.” He has a deep knowledge of The Long Walk’s history and winning strategies, but will it be enough to sustain him when his body begins to fail?
Curly, #7 (Roman Griffin Davis)
Curly is the pack’s youngest member. He lied about his age to qualify for The Long Walk and is plagued by leg pain in the opening stretch. Ray forms a bond with Curly as he struggles to keep up with the older, more worldly walkers.
Richard Harkness, #49 (Jordan Gonzalez)
Eager, bookish Harkness is an aspiring journalist who carries a notepad around with him during the walk to chronicle the journey for posterity. But Ray and Peter remind Harkness that to do that, he’ll have to survive every last mile and — in the end — stand alone.
Collie Parker, #48 (Joshua Odjick)
Parker, an Indigenous participant in the walk, exudes a tough exterior with those around him, but deep down, he’s homesick and scared. As the miles pass and the tensions grow, he develops an increasingly antagonistic relationship with Gary Barkovitch.
The Major (Mark Hamill)
Known simply as “The Major,” there is not much known about this authoritarian true believer, aside from serving as the figurehead and originator of the grueling televised competition known as The Long Walk. Menacing behind his dark sunglasses, The Major barks slogans meant to both motivate and intimidate contestants, a ruthless enforcer whose mysterious connection to several walkers is gradually revealed.
“The Long Walk” will arrive in theaters on September 12, 2025.
