Garrett Wareing Shares Behind-the-Scenes Challenges of Filming The Long Walk

Garrett Wareing and his co-stars endured harsh conditions while shooting their latest dystopian thriller, The Long Walk — yet it’s an experience he wouldn’t trade for anything.

“Our shoes were essentially our lifeline. I never imagined I’d bond with asphalt, but let me tell you, the asphalt of Manitoba, [Canada] became my closest friend because it was my refuge,” Wareing, 24, shared with Us Weekly about confronting the elements during filming. “After each take, you’d just collapse on the ground and lie there. By the end of the week, we had covered 50 miles, which just compounded the challenge, all while acting.”

Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Long Walk.

Wareing, who plays Stebbins in the adaptation of Stephen King’s 1979 novel, recounted a specific moment when his co-star Daymon Wrightly (who portrays Rank) removed his Converse sneakers only to discover that his socks were “soaked in blood” from blisters.

“What appears on screen is genuine,” he continued. “We were getting sunburned, too. They informed us from the start that whether it was rain, snow, sunshine, or cold, we would be shooting in any condition, day or night.”

Directed by The Hunger Games’ Francis Lawrence, The Long Walk revolves around a group of teenage boys who volunteer for a challenging contest where they must walk continuously or face being shot by their military escort. The competition proceeds until only one boy remains. While the premise might suggest rivalry, the boys discover a profound sense of brotherhood as they endure an experience that pushes their limits.

According to Wareing, those unbreakable connections mirrored the actors’ relationships off-screen.

“We were in this together,” he told Us. “The camaraderie visible on screen with the boys was also palpable behind the scenes. I mean, these were my brothers. We were all united by this experience, and it means so much to express that with them, especially seeing the positive feedback for our hard work.”

Wareing mentioned that actors occasionally trekked an average of “12 miles” daily, even under the “100-degree” heat of Canada, all while in their costumes and boots.

“I remember standing on set with Ben Wong, who played Olson. He looked at me and said, ‘What did we just get ourselves into?’ I had the exact same thought,” Wareing laughed.

Despite the physical demands of the role, preparing to play Stebbins was more about mental readiness. “It’s all about discovering that character, finding his voice, and his gait,” Wareing stated. “What happens after 300 miles of walking? How does it develop? What’s it like on day one, day two, day three?”

Stebbins faces significant challenges, including keeping a secret connection to the Major (Mark Hamill) and battling illness midway through the contest. Fortunately for Wareing, fate smiled on him during auditions.

“Stebbins falls ill during the movie. So I had to think, ‘What’s it like to portray the physicality of being sick?’ Interestingly enough, I had an upper respiratory infection when I auditioned, so all the stuff in my audition was genuine,” he disclosed. “I think it might’ve been a blessing because it made my performance all the more believable!”

While Stebbins may not be in peak health, he is among the last boys remaining in the contest, resulting in extended filming for Wareing compared to some of his co-stars. The cast dedicated time to honor each boy after filming their final scene with Dairy Queen treats and balloons — a tradition that left Wareing feeling ambivalent.

“It was both a celebration and a point of grief at times. It made me feel sad, and in some aspects, jealous because I knew these boys would get to stop walking and return home,” he expressed. “That might have also been my character’s feelings coming through, as I wished I could also conclude this exhausting walk, take a nap, and enjoy some sleep. Some of our call times started as early as three in the morning, and we would just begin walking and not stop. But every day on set was a celebration of all the labor we put in.”

One aspect Wareing cherished was the opportunity to reimagine Stebbins in a way that diverged from the novel. The book portrays characters as more “antagonistic,” but Wareing and Lawrence aimed for a more empathetic approach.

“Francis remarked, ‘I’m not sure that belongs to this character. I believe Stebbins comes from a place of concern, rather than antagonism,’” Wareing remembered. “Stebbins believes he will triumph in this contest. In his mind, he’s the guaranteed winner. Nothing can stop him.”

Wareing noted that Stebbins’ defenses stem from a desire to “protect himself and his emotions” to avoid the pain of losing his friends.

“To win this, all must perish,” he clarified. “Yet as the film progresses, we witness Stebbins’ tough exterior beginning to fracture as he seeks connection with the other boys. It reveals that we are all united and share companionship in this journey and in life.”

Of course, The Long Walk presents a pressing question: what drives these boys to partake in a contest likely leading to their demise? Wareing acknowledged that it sparked significant discussion during filming.

“I think it’s rooted in necessity,” he reflected. “Gary’s character [played by Charlie Plummer] has a monologue where he states that none of us truly volunteer for this; it’s expected of us, and we’ve been conditioned.”

He went on, “I think it’s social conditioning that leads us to feel compelled to join this walk. Many of these boys, including Stebbins, have a profound need driving them to participate. Are we genuinely choosing to embark on this journey?”

It’s these thought-provoking themes and a complex character like Stebbins that excited Wareing about being a part of The Long Walk. He’s immensely grateful for the opportunity, and it feels almost fated. Wareing shared that he learned he got the role on the very same day he finished filming season one of Ransom Canyon, transitioning from shooting the Netflix show in Texas to starting The Long Walk in Canada within just three days.

“I was on my way to Waffle House for a farewell dinner with my castmates after wrapping up that season,” Wareing remembered. “During the drive, my agent called to inform me that they wanted me for Stebbins in The Long Walk. I arrived at Waffle House with the best news that felt like a pivotal moment in my career, sharing it with friends who had helped me with the audition. My cast from Ransom Canyon and I shot that tape together; it was a real team effort from the start.”

“It felt like a match made in Stephen King heaven,” Wareing said, smiling. “Getting the chance to breathe life into this beloved character is truly a wild dream come true.”

The Long Walk is now showing in theaters.