Summary

• The latest "Salem's Lot" adaptation produced by James Wan is complete, but indefinitely delayed by Warner Bros.
• After years of waiting, it is now confirmed that the film will premiere on Max sometime in 2024.
• The movie's cast includes Lewis Pullman as Ben Mears, a writer who returns to his hometown only to find a vampire.

There have 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. 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 exorcise 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 and direct. Unfortunately for King's legion of die-hard fans, Warner Bros. has put the newest Salem's Lot adaptation through the wringer, but it now seems closer to being released.

Related: Why Salem's Lot Is Stephen King's Favorite Book

Salem's Lot Remake Latest News

A Release Window Is Announced

Not long after Stephen King himself called out Warner Bros. for its mishandling of his story, the Salem's Lot remake received a release window. Though the project seemed doomed earlier in 2024 with reports that the film had been shelved, it is now confirmed that Salem's Lot will premiere on Max sometime later in the year. Though it lacks a more concrete date of release, it is the first positive sign for the beleaguered movie since it wrapped filming two years ago.

Salem's Lot Remake Is Confirmed

The Project Has Been In The Works Since 2019

The most recent stab at Stephen King's Salem's Lot was first announced back in 2019 when New Line Cinema acquired the rights and James Wan was brought on to produce. The production quickly found its writer and director in Gary Dauberman who is no stranger to adapting the lengthy works of Stephen King.

Salem's Lot Remake Production Status

What Is Happening With Salem's Lot

The Salem's Lot remake followed the normal path of development through its first few years as producer James Wan and writer/director Gary Dauberman were able to get the film into principal photography by September 2021. Re-shoots occurred in June 2022, and the film was initially slated for a September 2022 release date. That date was eventually moved to April 2023, but Salem's Lot was eventually bumped in favor of Evil Dead Rise.

After that last shift of release date, Salem's Lot floated in limbo for some time before finally being given a release window. Though it lacks a concrete date, the film will now arrive on Max sometime in 2024. It will likely be towards the end of 2024 to not only capitalize on the Halloween season, but to also give the studio time to market the movie.

RELATED: What's Going On With The Salem's Lot Reboot? Is WB Canceling It?

Salem's Lot Remake Cast

Who Stars In The Adaptation?

Because the seemingly doomed film was completed, a lot is known about the cast, and it features several recognizable names in major roles. Lewis Pullman was tapped to play writer Ben Mears who returns to his hometown of Jerusalem's Lot to find inspiration for his latest novel. Makenzie Leigh co-stars as Susan Norton, a local woman who strikes up a relationship with Ben. All the announced actors have had their roles assigned except for William Sadler, and it can be assumed that the noted character actor will play the vampire, Kurt Barlow.

The entire cast includes:

Salem's Lot Remake Story

How Closely Does The Remake Follow The Book?

The exact plot of the Salem's Lot remake is still unknown, and it isn't exactly clear how closely the new movie will follow Stephen King's classic 1975 novel. What is known though, is that the movie will follow the basic structure of the book, with Ben Mears returning to his hometown to write and figure out the root of his childhood trauma. Instead, he finds he is in the presence of an ancient vampire that is draining the town of Jerusalem's Lot of its spirit and lifeblood.

In classic horror story fashion, Ben is the first one to catch onto the vampire menace, and he teams up with a local teen named Mike Ryerson who has also seen the strange goings-on. Undoubtedly, the new movie will add new wrinkles to the story, and it is presumably a modernized version of the 50-year-old novel. However, until more details are revealed, the exact plot of Salem's Lot is still elusive.