David Jonsson as McVries, Cooper Hoffman as Garraty, Jordan Gonzalez as Harkness, Ben Wang as Olson, and Tut Nyuot as Baker in The Long Walk. Photo Credit: Murray Close/Lionsgate
BREAKING: Renowned author Stephen King has launched a scathing critique of violence in superhero films, claiming it often resembles “pornographic” depictions rather than realistic portrayals. This urgent statement comes as King promotes the film adaptation of his dystopian horror novel, The Long Walk, set to hit theaters on September 12, 2024.
In a revealing interview with The Times U.K., King expressed his frustration with how superhero movies, particularly those from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Studios, fail to show the true consequences of violence. “If you look at these superhero movies, you’ll see … some supervillain who’s destroying whole city blocks but you never see any blood,” King stated. “And man, that’s wrong. It’s almost, like, pornographic.”
King is adamant about the necessity of depicting violence authentically. He insisted on a high level of brutality for The Long Walk, which follows teenage boys in a deadly competition where the last walker standing wins. “I said, if you’re not going to show it, don’t bother. And so they made a pretty brutal movie,” he added.
The film, directed by Francis Lawrence and scripted by JT Mollner, is expected to draw significant attention due to its intense themes. While many superhero films tend to shy away from graphic violence to cater to family audiences, the genre has seen a rise in R-rated entries like Kraven the Hunter (2024), Deadpool, Blade (1998), The Suicide Squad (2021), and Hellboy (2019) that do not hold back on gore.
As King’s remarks ignite discussions among fans and filmmakers alike, it raises critical questions about the responsibility of filmmakers in portraying violence. With audiences increasingly aware of these depictions, the impact of such statements from a literary giant like King cannot be underestimated.
As the release date for The Long Walk approaches, all eyes will be on how this brutal narrative is received in contrast to the often sanitized violence of superhero films. Expect reactions to unfold as fans weigh in on King’s bold claims and the direction of future cinematic violence.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
