Just a couple of weeks ago, we ran an editorial speculating just what was happening with the long-upcoming remake of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot.
The project was initially complete over two years ago, with four weeks of reshoots taking place in June of 2022. This was the first sign of trouble, no doubt. Now, over one year later with the project still shelved, word reaches us that the adaption will skip theatres completely.
Just as we heavily speculated some weeks back, following word from a trusted source, we can now confirm that Salem’s Lot will likely premiere on Warner Bros streaming service Max.
Shot in Massachusetts in 2021, Salem’s Lot stars Top Gun: Maverick’s Lewis Pullman as Ben Mears, with Alfre Woodard co-starring. Initially the project was set to debut theatrically in September of 2022, but was bumped back to March of 2023, Pandemic concerns given as the reason. Following a further push to September 2023, Salem’s Lot has now been removed from the release schedule completely.
A source tells us that the decision to move the project to streaming is not an indication of the movie’s overall quality. It is stressed that the move has been born out of a dire need for streaming content on Warner Bros. part due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
Whilst this is a disappointing decision, it is hoped that audiences will still see the merit in this reboot, despite it being relegated to a streaming original movie. The talents aboard remain the same, namely The Conjuring’s Gary Dauberman writing and directing and James Wan producing.
Furthermore, Salem’s Lot has the seal of approval from its original creator, as Stephen King has stated the following about the film:
“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.”
Whilst it’s disappointing that we won’t see this one on the big screen, we do hope audiences still give this one a chance, given the roster of talent involved.
When reached for comment on whether Salem’s Lot would soon debut on Max, a rep for Warner Bros. said the following:
“No decision has been made about the film’s future distribution plans.”
