There’s already been two TV miniseries, but a new theatrical adaptation of Stephen King’s novel Salem’s Lot is on the way, thanks to James Wan. When it comes to Hollywood adaptations of the works of Stephen King, everything old truly is new again. While more and more of King’s library does continue to be adapted for the first time, lots of classic King stories are also getting a second, or in some cases even third, look.
Such is the case for Salem’s Lot, King’s 1975 vampire novel, and one of his earliest hits. Salem’s Lot centers on Ben Mears, an author who returns to his childhood hometown with plans to both write a book about the local haunted house, and try to exercise his various personal demons. Starsky and Hutch‘s David Soul played Ben in the 1979 CBS TV miniseries adaptation of Salem’s Lot, which many regard as a creepy classic. In 2004, Salem’s Lot became another two-part miniseries, this time for cable network TNT, and starring Rob Lowe as Ben.
Now, celebrated director James Wan is set to produce a new movie adaptation of Salem’s Lot, with IT and IT Chapter Two writer Gary Dauberman onboard to pen the script. Here’s what we know about the project so far.
Salem’s Lot Remake Release Date
A third screen adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot was announced as being in the works on April 23, 2019. The remake is happening at Warner Bros., the studio behind the IT films, Doctor Sleep, and lots of other King movies and TV shows. However, the project is still in the development stage, and it’s unclear when production will begin, much less when the film will release in theaters. It’s also unknown who will ultimately direct the film.
Salem’s Lot Remake Story & Cast
Little is known about the story for James Wan’s Salem’s Lot remake, and it’s also unclear if Gary Dauberman has finished the script for the film yet. In interviews last year, Dauberman said he wanted to make vampire movies scary again, and that he loved the Salem’s Lot book, and was excited to help give it the big screen treatment it deserved. Considering the creative talent involved, and the (mostly) continued success of Stephen King movies with audiences, it’s hard to imagine WB not giving this project the fast track as soon as the script is finished. That’s assuming the box office bomb of Doctor Sleep didn’t dissuade them from making further Stephen King investments.
