It was going to be a few months until the world got to see an adaption of the Stephen King classic novel Salem’s Lot. Deadline has reported that the film, which was set to release this September, will get pushed to April 21st, 2023. The delay comes due to COVID-related reasons that have impacted the production of the New Line film.
The film will be the sophomore film for writer-director Gary Dauberman, who has become a go-to horror director for New Line. His directorial debut was The Conjuring spinoff, Annabelle Comes Home, in 2019. He has become known for his written work like It Chapter One and Two, The Nun, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and the canceled Swamp Thing series. He will executive produce the Salem’s Lot adaption with Michael Bederman, Andrew Childs, and Judson Scott. Michael Clear, Roy Lee, James Wan, and Mark Wolper serve as producers.
The modern take on the classic vampire novel will star Lewis Pullman (Top Gun: Maverick), Pilou Asbæk (Game of Thrones), Spencer Treat Clark (Animal Kingdom), William Sadler (Bill & Ted Face the Music), Alfree Woodard (See), Bill Camp (American Rust), and John Benjamin Hickey (Gossip Girl).
The Adaption of the Stephen King Novel Salem’s Lot Delayed to 2023
After his breakout hit with Carrie in 1974, the following year, Stephen King released Salem’s Lot. It continued his success as a new horror author, leading to his prolific career over 40 years later. The vampire novel was adapted into a mini-series in 1979 by Tobe Hopper. With three Emmy nominations, the series was a critical hit.
The story follows a writer named Ben Mears (Pullman), who returns to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot. When he goes to a mansion in town, he finds out that the European owner is a vampire who has been turning the townspeople into nighty creatures. The writer turns into a vampire slayer as he gathers allies to stop the spread of vampirism.
Salem’s Lot will hit theaters on April 21st, 2023.