A second remake of Stephen King’s seminal vampire novel Salem’s Lot has been complete for quite some time now, but is yet to see release. After having several “official” release dates, only to then have them pulled, the film is currently no longer on Warner Bros. release schedule. The studio’s reluctance to release the movie has led to industry rumblings that it will now land directly on streaming, possibly as early as next month.
This newest adaption of King’s novel sees The Conjuring Universe scribe Gary Dauberman behind the camera and the cast features star power such as Lewis Pullman and Alfre Woodard. Initially complete in the late winter of 2022, Salem’s Lot undertook a course of additional photography over the course of four weeks that summer. Slated for a September 9th 2022 release, everything seemed on track, with Warner Bros. hopeful that the film would be their Labour Day Weekend hit. Suddenly the film was swiftly rescheduled to land April 23rd 2023, but was dropped in favour of Evil Dead Rise.
Currently without a release date, whispers of more additional photography and poor test screenings have dogged the project. Now it seems the studio is giving up their theatrical release plans and eyeing a premiere on the Max streaming service. What does this mean for the overall quality of the film? Should we brace ourselves for another turkey of a King adaption? Did Salem’s Lot even need a third adaption?
Will we see this big budget project relegated to the small screen? The studio’s indecision certainly speaks of little faith in the project. We will let you know just as soon as we have further confirmation of what fate awaits this unseen adaption.
