Warner Bros. Discovery to Release Salem’s Lot Remake on HBO Max

Warner Bros. Discovery is set to release the highly anticipated Salem’s Lot remake, written, directed, and produced by Gary Dauberman, on HBO Max this year. Stephen King has voiced his support for the film and criticized Warner Bros. for keeping it shelved.

Warner Bros. Discovery to Release Salem’s Lot Remake on HBO Max

Warner Bros. Discovery has made the decision to release the highly anticipated Salem’s Lot remake on HBO Max, bypassing the traditional theatrical release. This move follows their previous strategy in 2021 of prioritizing streaming platforms over theaters.

The remake of Salem’s Lot, written, directed, and produced by Gary Dauberman, a renowned writer from the Conjuring Universe, has been in limbo since late 2022. Originally slated for a September release, it was later pushed back to April of the following year. Unfortunately, amidst the chaos of shifting film schedules, the project got lost in the shuffle and was nearly forgotten.

However, author Stephen King, whose novel serves as the basis for the film, has been vocal about his support for the adaptation and has criticized Warner Bros. on social media for keeping it on the shelf. Despite King’s endorsement, the film had already been completed for two years by the time of his tweet. King’s frustration with Warner Bros. persisted, and he voiced his confusion over their reluctance to release a film he believes is of high quality.

Stephen King’s Endorsement and Frustration

Stephen King, the acclaimed author of Salem’s Lot, took to Twitter in 2023 to express his admiration for the film. He stated, “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.”

King’s endorsement came as a surprise to many, considering the film had already been completed for two years. Actress Makenzie Leigh, who stars in the film, announced its wrap on Instagram in 2021. King’s frustration with Warner Bros. continued to grow, as he couldn’t understand their reluctance to release a film he believes is of high quality.

The Story and Background of Salem’s Lot

Salem’s Lot is described as old-school horror filmmaking with a slow build and a big payoff. The story follows writer Ben Mears, portrayed by Lewis Pullman in the new version, as he investigates a mysterious outbreak of vampirism in his quaint hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot.

The original adaptation of the book was a 1979 TV miniseries directed by Tobe Hooper. It was followed by a theatrical sequel, A Return To Salem’s Lot, in 1987, despite its poor critical reception. Another miniseries based on the book, featuring Rob Lowe, aired on TNT in 2004.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s Alternative Distribution Strategy

Warner Bros. Discovery has faced criticism in the past for shelving promising projects, such as Batgirl and Coyote vs. Acme. However, their decision to release the Salem’s Lot remake on HBO Max demonstrates their willingness to explore alternative distribution platforms.

This move allows fans of Stephen King’s work and horror enthusiasts to look forward to experiencing this highly anticipated film from the comfort of their own homes. By embracing streaming platforms, Warner Bros. Discovery is adapting to the changing landscape of the entertainment industry.