David Jonsson said he deliberately avoided speaking to Mark Hamill while filming the 2025 dystopian thriller *The Long Walk*, believing the distance would suit their characters’ relationship. The approach mattered because Hamill plays the Major, an authority figure overseeing the contest, while Jonsson plays contestant Peter McVries.

Jonsson said some cast members did speak with Hamill, known for playing Luke Skywalker, but he and others maintained separation during filming. He met Hamill properly after production and described him as kind and engaging, praising his performance in the film.