All About the Long-Awaited Spooky Movie Premiering August 2024

The past few years have been chaotic for streaming services as they seek profitability and consolidation. At Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), a 2022 merger led to some films becoming write-offs, much to the dismay of both creatives and viewers. Films like Coyote Vs. Acme and Batgirl were casualties, and for a while, it seemed the feature film adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot might suffer the same fate.

Then came a twist. In February, Stephen King, known for his bluntness, took to Twitter, where he called the movie “quite good” and described it as “Old-school horror filmmaking: slow build, big payoff.” He questioned why Warner Bros. was holding it back, sarcastically adding, “Not like it’s embarrassing, or anything.” This tweet seemed to reignite interest in the project.

This project had been in the works for years. Gary Dauberman, known for recent IT movies, came on board as writer, director, and executive producer, with James Wan’s Atomic Monster handling executive producer duties. The film, under New Line Cinema, was apparently complete but had fallen off the Warner Bros. Pictures theatrical schedule. After King’s nudge, things began to move again, and a release date has finally been set. The film’s updated aesthetics look promising.

Max will officially stream the Salem’s Lot movie for this Halloween season. Dauberman told Vanity Fair, “I’m excited it’s finally getting out there and people can see it.” It’s a long-awaited moment for fans and the creative team alike.

Although the story has been adapted for the screen twice before, King appears confident in this updated version. He even teased a pivotal scene, claiming it “could have been directed by John Carpenter in his prime.” This high praise has built anticipation, and Max has previewed several images that hint at what’s to come, including a look at Marsten House, the source of the vampire plague in Jerusalem’s Lot, Maine.

The story will adapt King’s 1975 novel, which was his second after Carrie. It follows fictional author Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman) as he returns to his hometown seeking inspiration for his next book. However, he soon discovers that his hometown is being preyed upon by a bloodthirsty vampire. Residents start disappearing, and a supposedly deceased person vamps out and escapes the morgue, with Alfre Woodard’s Dr. Cody reacting in horror.

Dauberman noted that viewers should expect Mears to provide a grounded audience point of view. A wildcard character, Richard Straker, an antique store owner newly arrived in town, lives in the ominous mansion. His silent partner, Kurt Barlow, only surfaces at night. Straker, portrayed by Pilou Asbæk, is selling more than just antiques. Asbæk, known for his role in Game of Thrones, is expected to bring a “just f*cking crazy charismatic” energy to the role.

Dauberman faced a challenge in deciding what kind of Straker this adaptation would feature. He asked if the character should be more like the book or the 1979 series version. Ultimately, he settled on an intriguing outsider that draws townsfolk into his web through his antique store.

The cast includes Lewis Pullman as Ben Mears, Pilou Asbæk as Richard Straker, Alfre Woodard as Dr. Cody, John Benjamin Hickey as Father Callahan, Bill Camp as Matt Burke, Makenzie Leigh as Susan Norton, and Spencer Treat Clark as Mike Ryerson. However, the role of Barlow remains a mystery.

The film is set to premiere on Max in October, just in time for Halloween. Although a trailer has not yet been released, excitement is building for this new adaptation of King’s classic vampire tale.

If you’re in the mood for a classic vampire story, you can also check out AMC’s adaptation of Anne Rice’s Interview With The Vampire, which is currently streaming two seasons on AMC+.

Source: Vanity Fair, Warner Bros. Television