Stephen King's 'The Long Walk' Adaptation Casts First Competitors

At long last, production is ramping up on Lionsgate's film adaptation of Stephen King's 1979 novel, ‘The Long Walk’. According to Deadline, Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson are in negotiations to star in the film. This casting news follows Collider's exclusive report that filming is set to begin this summer.

The specific roles of Hoffman and Jonsson have not been disclosed yet. In King’s novel, a post-apocalyptic United States under a totalitarian regime forces 100 teenagers to participate in a deadly "long walk" along an East Coast highway. Contestants must maintain a speed of at least four miles per hour, with three warnings resulting in execution.

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'The Long Walk'’s production has faced a lengthy development process. New Line Cinema initially acquired the rights in 2018, but the project stalled until Lionsgate took over last year, with Francis Lawrence attached to direct. Lawrence will helm the film from a script by JT Mollner, and will also produce alongside Roy Lee of Vertigo Entertainment. Filming is scheduled to commence this July.

Cooper Hoffman is best known for his debut role in Paul Thomas Anderson's acclaimed 2021 film ‘Licorice Pizza’, where he starred alongside Alana Haim. He is set to appear in Sony's upcoming film SNL 1975, portraying NBC executive Dick Ebersol.

David Jonsson gained recognition on the BBC before his breakthrough role as banker Gus Sackey on HBO's ‘Industry’. Season 3 of ‘Industry’ is set to premiere in August. Jonsson also stars in 20th Century’s upcoming sci-fi film ‘Alien: Romulus’ with Isabela Merced and Cailee Spaeny.

– Farheen Ali