Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson In Talks To Star in Lionsgate Film Adaptation of Stephen King’s ‘The Long Walk’
Licorice Pizza actor Cooper Hoffman and HBO Industry star David Jonsson are currently in discussions to play lead roles in Francis Lawrence’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel ‘The Long Walk’ for Lionsgate.
Screenplay for the film is being written by JT Mollner, known for the upcoming movie ‘Strange Darling’. The project is being produced by Roy Lee from Vertigo.
Originally, the film rights were with New Line, with André Øvredal set to direct from James Vanderbilt’s script. However, the rights expired in the summer of 2022.
‘The Long Walk’ is set in a future where 100 teenage boys participate in an annual competition where they must maintain a speed above 4 miles per hour. If they receive three warnings in an hour, they are shot dead. The last boy walking is granted whatever he desires for the rest of his life. Despite the grim circumstances, the boys develop deep friendships, reminiscent of other King coming-of-age stories.
Francis Lawrence is also working on another project with Lionsgate, the prequel to ‘The Hunger Games’ based on Suzanne Collins’ upcoming novel.
The news was confirmed by Deadline, originally reported by The InSneider.