Stephen King's 'The Long Walk' makes a chilling impact at San Diego Comic-Con

SAN DIEGO -- Star Wars" legend Mark Hamill is stepping into darker territory in his latest role, and he's not shy about it.

Speaking with On The Red Carpet's George Pennacchio at San Diego Comic-Con, Hamill opened up about "The Long Walk", a new film adaptation of Stephen King's chilling 1979 dystopian novel.
"The premise is horrific and off-putting," Hamill said. "But the real heart and soul is the story of these young guys and what they experience during the long walk."

Set in a grim, future America, "The Long Walk" centers on a brutal national competition where 50 teenage boys must walk continuously without rest. Drop below three miles per hour, and they're eliminated-permanently. The last one standing gets any prize he wants.

Hamill plays a menacing figure in the film, a role he relishes. "I'm just a bad ass," he said, grinning. "If I do my job right, everyone will hate my guts, that's okay," he said.

Co-star Garrett Wareing warned the audience about the emotional weight of the story. "It's freaky-gets me in my gut every time," he said. "That feeling doesn't leave you."

Actor Tut Nyuot said the film struck a personal chord. "One thing that touched me is that it can speak to everybody... the journey of life," he said. "The heart of the story is brotherhood and friendship."

"The Long Walk" heads to theaters on September 12.