‘The Long Walk’ Will Campaign for the Entire Cast to Get Oscar Nominations

Lionsgate is making a bold move in its strategy for awards contention for The Long Walk, as reports reveal that the studio plans to campaign its entire principal cast of characters. What’s most interesting about this choice is that all of them, including main players Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson, will be campaigning in the supporting acting categories across all the major awards circuits. This report comes exclusively from Variety, and its news that comes as surprising, but understandable. Overall, it’s due to the magnitude of the film’s story and how much it was reliant on the ensemble entirely rather than one actor.

The Long Walk was released in September and was adapted by screenwriter JT Mollner from the novel of the same name written by Stephen King. The movie centers around teens who take part in a deadly contest where they have to keep walking or be shot on sight by the military if they fall under a certain speed. The movie was directed by Francis Lawrence, who is best known for directing several movies in The Hunger Games series of films. His transition to Stephen King’s dystopian world was a huge success, with the film earning an 88% certified fresh rating on the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes.

Part of what made The Long Walk such a successful film in the first place (and more than likely why Lionsgate is taking its interesting approach to awards season) is the chemistry between all the actors. While Hoffman and Jonsson are undeniably at the heart of the story, each individual character gets a moment to shine. The camaraderie among the walkers in the face of inevitable death is why The Long Walk is such a moving film.

In ‘The Long Walk,’ Every Cast Member is Essential

Lionsgate

Variety’s report states that the creative team behind the film is firm in their belief that the premise and emotional investment hinges on every single actor working in unison. So, it only makes sense that all the main actors in the film, which includes the likes of Ben Wang, Garrett Wareing, Charlie Plummer, Tut Nyuot Jordan Gonzalez, and Joshua Odjick, will have a chance to be nominated. This plan will be reflected in any potential nominations at the Oscars, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, BAFTA, and the Independent Spirit Awards. The report also mentions that Judy Greer, who plays Hoffman’s mother in the movie, will also be put forward in the supporting actress category of the aforementioned award ceremonies.

2025 has been a phenomenal year for Stephen King adaptations, with The Life of Chuck and The Running Man also being released this year. Each director behind the three King adaptations this year has brought their own distinct style to the stories, and The Long Walk stands out thanks to its brutality and timeliness. It will be interesting to see if any unexpected cast members get nominated for their work on the film outside of favorites like Hoffman or Jonsson. One aspect that will undoubtedly stand out is the final moments of several of the characters, as each actor brought raw emotion and intensity that made the stakes feel real.