Stephen King's Dystopian Visions: The Long Walk & The Running Man Hit Theaters This Fall
Following The Monkey earlier this year and The Life of Chuck, which premiered last month and won the People's Choice Award at last year's Toronto International Film Festival, the latter half of this year will see the release of two more film adaptations from the master of horror, Stephen King. Both are dystopian films.
The Long Walk, North American Release Date: September 12th
The film is directed by Francis Lawrence, known for The Hunger Games series, and the screenplay is penned by JT Mollner, director and writer of last year's acclaimed Strange Darling. The protagonist, Raymond, is played by Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza), son of the late Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote). Other notable cast members include David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus), Garrett Wareing, Joshua Odjick, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer (All the Money in the World), Ben Wang (Karate Kid: Legends), Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo Rabbit), Jordan Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton, Judy Greer (the Halloween series), and Mark Hamill (the Star Wars franchise).
In a dystopian near-future, America has fallen on hard times. Sixteen-year-old Ray Garraty is about to compete in the annual grueling match of stamina and wits known as the Long Walk. One hundred boys must keep a steady pace of four miles per hour day and night, without ever stopping. The winner gets “The Prize”—anything he wants for the rest of his life. But the rules of the Long Walk are harsh and the stakes could not be higher. There is no finish line—the winner is the last man standing. Contestants cannot receive any outside aid whatsoever. Slow down under the speed limit and you’re given a warning. Three warnings and you’re out of the game—forever.
The Running Man，North American Release Date: November 7th
The film is directed by Edgar Wright (Baby Driver) and co-written by him and Michael Bacall, who also co-wrote Wright's previous film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. While Wright's early films were primarily comedies, his recent work showcases a growing versatility. He successfully ventured into the crime-comedy genre with the acclaimed Baby Driver and explored horror with Last Night in Soho. This new take on The Running Man appears to be his largest-scale and most mainstream project to date. The novel was previously adapted into a 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. This new adaptation will star Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) in the lead role. Other cast members include William H. Macy (Room), Lee Pace (Foundation), Emilia Jones (CODA), Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Daniel Ezra, Emmy winner Sean Hayes (Will & Grace), Jayme Lawson (Sinners), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), and Marvel villain Thanos actor Josh Brolin.
In a near-future society, The Running Man is the top-rated show on television—a deadly competition where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward. Desperate to save his sick daughter, working-class Ben Richards (Glen Powell) is convinced by the show’s charming but ruthless producer, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), to enter the game as a last resort. But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite—and a threat to the entire system. As ratings skyrocket, so does the danger, and Ben must outwit not just the Hunters, but a nation addicted to watching him fall.
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Photo: The Long Walk、Paramount Pictures
Source: Amazon