Gary Dauberman, the director of “Annabelle Comes Home,” is set to helm a film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel “Salem’s Lot.” This vampire tale, which was one of King’s early successes and served as a follow-up to his breakthrough novel “Carrie” in 1975, will be brought to the big screen by Dauberman. Although a specific release date has not been announced, the project is in development.
In addition to directing, Gary Dauberman will also be writing the screenplay for the film adaptation of “Salem’s Lot.” He is known for his work on the screenplay of both chapters of the successful horror film “It.” The movie is being produced by renowned horror filmmaker James Wan. However, due to recent release date changes by Warner Bros., “Salem’s Lot” has lost its previously scheduled release date and no longer has a confirmed spot on Warner Bros.’ upcoming theatrical calendar. The new release date for the movie is currently unknown.
Salem’s Lot Release Date
Originally slated for April 21, 2023, the release date of “Salem’s Lot” has been affected by a series of release date changes, including those for “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” and “Shazam! Fury of the Gods.” As a result, the movie currently does not have a specific release date. According to reports from Deadline, the remake of “Salem’s Lot” is expected to be released sometime in the next year, although the exact timing is yet to be determined. The film is currently in the post-production phase.
Salem’s Lot Cast
According to The Brazker Reporter, Lewis Pullman, known for his role in “Bad Times at the El Royale,” has been cast as the lead character, Ben Mears, in the film adaptation of “Salem’s Lot.” Additionally, Deadline has reported that Makenzie Leigh, Bill Camp, and Spencer Treat Clark will join Pullman in the cast. In the story, Ben Mears is an author who uncovers the presence of a ruthless vampire that is terrorizing his hometown from his childhood.
Deadline has reported that Alfre Woodard, an Oscar-nominated actress, will be joining the cast of “Salem’s Lot” as Dr. Cody. In the novel, the character is named Dr. Jimmy Cody and plays a role in assisting Ben Mears, Susan Norton, and Matt Burke in their battle against the vampires. Additionally, John Benjamin Hickey has been cast as Father Callahan, and it will be intriguing to see how the character evolves in the movie.
In a recent update to the cast, Pilou Asbæk, known for his role as Euron Greyjoy in “Game of Thrones,” has joined the cast of “Salem’s Lot.” Asbæk will be playing the character Richard Straker. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Straker is the familiar or servant of the vampire, and he is known for his hands-on involvement in the vampire’s activities.
The History of Salem’s Lot
“Salem’s Lot” can be seen as a contemporary reimagining of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” The story revolves around an author who returns to his childhood town in Maine, which has been haunting him due to a creepy abandoned mansion. Upon his return, he discovers that the mansion has been purchased by a mysterious and reclusive antiques dealer who is actually a master vampire. As the vampire converts more locals into his vampire minions, the author and a group of townspeople unite to stop the spread of the undead and put an end to the vampire infestation.
The 1979 Mini-Series
In 1979, “Salem’s Lot” was adapted into a two-part mini-series directed by Tobe Hooper, known for “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” The mini-series achieved great success and became a popular choice for television reruns. It was later edited to a shorter version and released on VHS, becoming a beloved choice among horror fans for rental. One particular scene, where a young boy witnesses his vampire-transformed friend floating to his window at night, left a lasting impact on an entire generation, including myself, causing a sense of trauma.
The original mini-series took certain liberties with the source material, notably transforming the verbose vampire master Kurt Barlow into a more sinister and animalistic creature reminiscent of “Nosferatu.” Unlike the book, this depiction of Barlow did not speak and had a more terrifying and monstrous appearance. Despite the deviation from the novel, the portrayal of Barlow in the mini-series was chilling and left a lasting impression on viewers.
The 2004 Mini-Series
In 2004, a TNT mini-series based on the book was released, which followed the original story more closely. Rutger Hauer portrayed Barlow, while Rob Lowe played the lead character. This marked another role in Hauer’s repertoire of vampire portrayals, as he had previously served as the physical inspiration for Anne Rice’s Lestat and had appeared in other vampire-themed films like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Argento’s Dracula,” and “Dracula III: Legacy.” It remains to be seen whether the new version of Barlow in the upcoming film will draw inspiration from the 1970s mini-series, the 2004 adaptation, or take a completely different approach.
One thing is for sure, though. This is one King adaptation we can’t wait to sink our fangs into.
