Mark Hamill is no stranger to major motion pictures, and as The Long Walk continues to build excitement as part of a string of Stephen King adaptations in 2025, the legendary Luke Skywalker actor's involvement has drawn major attention online. But, despite the usual fanfare around his appearances in dark, gritty projects (like 2023’s Fall of the House of Usher miniseries), Hamill had one specific request upon joining this cast: work first, fan talk later.
For the young cast of The Long Walk, who were all born in the era of the Star Wars prequels, the chance to share the screen with Luke Skywalker himself was a dream come true. Garrett Wareing, one of the actors, recently explained how the news of Hamill's casting spread like wildfire through the 50-member cast.
"We all figured out he’d been cast, and there are 50 boys, all of whom are between the ages of 18 and 25. We're, of course, the generation of the prequels in Star Wars and we loved all this stuff," Wareing recalled in a CinemaBlend piece. "So when he walked on the set, the first thing he did was he put his hand up and he said, ‘I can't wait to talk to you all, but I'm knee-deep in this three-page monologue I have to memorize, and then I will talk to everybody here.’"
Hamill's dedication to his craft was clear from his first day on set. Although the actors were eager to talk Star Wars, they respected that Hamill's priority was diving deep into his role as The Major in The Long Walk. His chilling performance in the trailer hints at his intense preparation for the role.
Hamill’s Kindness and the Power of His Stories
Despite his request for some space to focus on his work, Hamill proved to be exactly the kind of actor fans hope he would be (and he has proven to be time and time again!) He is consistently gracious, kind, and generous with his time. According to Wareing, Hamill was a joy to work with.
"He leads with such kindness and excitement in what he does, and it's who you see is who you get with Mark," Wareing said, reflecting on the actor’s demeanor on set. "While he does play such a brooding, scary character, he was so approachable. We could always go up and talk to him at his little Jeep, and he has a little umbrella, and he just sat there and just told his stories from his days on the set of Star Wars."
Those stories were likely a welcome bit of lightheartedness for the cast, given the grim nature of The Long Walk. With a story that involves teenage boys walking to their death for a twisted reality show-like contest, the atmosphere on set could be heavy. Hearing Hamill’s behind-the-scenes Star Wars anecdotes must have provided some much-needed levity.
Directed by Francis Lawrence for Lionsgate, The Long Walk is a dystopian tale that revolves around a deadly contest where only one boy survives. While the premise of the film is eerily relevant in today’s world, the original novella by Stephen King served as an allegory for the Vietnam War draft, reflecting themes of survival and sacrifice under extreme pressure. Hamill’s character, The Major, acts as the overseer of this brutal competition.
The Growing Influence of Stephen King Adaptations
As 2025 progresses, The Long Walk will be one of multiple Stephen King adaptations hitting theaters and streaming services this year. King’s works have long been adapted to the silver screen, with projects like The Shining, Cujo, and Misery cementing their presence in pop culture years ago.
The Long Walk is slated for release on September 12 and will be followed by Edgar Wright’s The Running Man on November 7. For Star Wars fans, Mark Hamill’s involvement in this Stephen King thriller is just another exciting chapter in his storied career. As The Long Walk gears up for its debut, Hamill’s performance as The Major promises to be one of the standout aspects of the film. Fans of his work, both old and new, have much to look forward to.