You Can Watch Stephen King's Next Movie Adaptation From The Comfort Of Your Reading Chair

Warner Bros. wants people to invite the vampire horror film Salem's Lot into their homes as the movie is skipping a theatrical release for a Max-exclusive premiere this year. The film--based on the 1975 novel from Stephen King--comes from Annabelle Comes Home director Gary Dauberman. The filmmaker also previously served as a writer on It and It: Chapter Two.

According to Variety, Salem's Lot was originally set to debut in theaters in September 2022. However, the film was then delayed for COVID-19-related issues before eventually being removed from WB's release calendar altogether.

Salem's Lot sees a writer going back to his hometown, called Jerusalem's Lot, to come up with a new book. But after returning, author Ben Mears (portrayed by Top Gun: Maverick's Lewis Pullman) finds out there's a vampire lurking about. The rest of the cast includes Alfre Woodard (Luke Cage, 12 Years a Slave), Makenzie Leigh, Bill Camp (Joker), Pilou Asbæk, and John Benjamin Hickey.

The Warner Bros remake of SALEM'S LOT, currently shelved, is muscular and involving. It has the feel of "Old Hollywood," when a film was given a chance to draw a breath before getting to business. When attention spans were longer, in other words.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) November 1, 2023

There have been a couple adaptations of the book in the past. There was a 1979 CBS miniseries that was nominated for three Emmys. This version of Salem's Lot was part of GameSpot's 10 scariest King adaptations. Then, in 2004, TNT had its own two-part TV special starring Rob Lowe that also received an Emmy nod.

King himself talked about the new film adaptation on X (formerly known as Twitter) late last year. The author mentioned that Salem's Lot "is muscular and involving," adding it has an "Old Hollywood" feel.