Warner Bros. Considers Streaming Debut for “Salem’s Lot” Horror Film
In a surprising turn of events, Warner Bros. is reportedly exploring the possibility of releasing its horror film adaptation of Stephen King’s “Salem’s Lot” on the Warner Bros. Discovery streaming platform, Max. Originally planned for a theatrical release, the Gary Dauberman-directed film has been sitting on the shelf for a year. Sources reveal that the decision is not based on the film’s quality but rather the increased demand for Max content due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. However, a Warner Bros. spokesperson has stated that no final decision has been made regarding the film’s distribution plans.
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The movie, which was filmed in Massachusetts in 2021, was initially scheduled to hit theaters in September 2022, strategically timed for the pre-Halloween horror season. However, production delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the film being pushed to spring 2023. Recently, “Salem’s Lot” was quietly removed from the release schedule entirely, leading to speculation that it may become a tax write-off for Warner Bros. Discovery, similar to last year’s “Batgirl.”
The cast of “Salem’s Lot” features Lewis Pullman, known for his role in “Top Gun: Maverick,” along with Makenzie Leigh, Bill Camp, Pilou Asbaek, Alfre Woodard, and William Sadler. Dauberman, who has been developing the project since 2019, also penned the screenplay. The film is produced by James Wan’s Atomic Monster, the company behind several successful horror franchises at Warner Bros., including the “Conjuring” series.
Based on the original two-part CBS miniseries from 1979, “Salem’s Lot” follows a writer who returns to his hometown, Jerusalem’s Lot, only to find himself engaged in a battle against vampires. The book was previously adapted for television in 2004 by TNT, starring Rob Lowe and receiving critical acclaim with an Emmy nomination.
Warner Bros. has had previous success with Stephen King adaptations, with the 2017 film “It” directed by Andy Muschietti grossing $704 million worldwide on a low budget.
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