Stephen King's "Salem's Lot" Adaptation Delayed to 2023

Warner Bros. delayed the upcoming movie adaptation of Stephen King's novel "Salem’s Lot".

The movie was originally set to premiere in theaters in September but has been pushed back by several months. It will now premiere on April 21, 2023.

Written and directed by Gary Dauberman, Salem’s Lot is a new movie adaptation of King's acclaimed vampire novel, after the 1979 successful television movie, directed by Tobe Hooper and starring Rob Lowe.

The movie is set to be the first adaptation of the novel to play in theaters.

The decision to delay the release is a result of coronavirus-related challenges in post-production. The movie is one of many King adaptations in the works, with versions of "Christine" and other novels also in production.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="554"] "Salemʻs Lot" (1979)[/caption]

King’s book, published in 1975, follows the journey of author Ben Mears who is struggling with writer’s block and seeking inspiration for his next novel, returns to his hometown, the eerily named Jerusalem's Lot, to find some, particularly in the form of an abandoned mansion, owned by a strange European man.

Upon further investigation, Mears realizes that there is an evil turning the residents of the town into creatures of the night — namely, vampires. He creates a small team of trustworthy townsfolk and set out to end the vampire menace plaguing their home.

Director Dauberman is a favorite of New Line, having worked on several projects for the studio, including both the It movies and "The Nun".

The movie cast is led by Lewis Pullman, who played featured roles in "Bad Times at the El Royale" and "Top Gun: Maverick," as Ben Mears, along with Games of Thrones' Pilou Asbæk as Richard Straker, who is preparing for the arrival of his master, a vampire named Kurt Barlow.

The star-studded cast also features Alfre Woodard as Dr. Cody, Makenzie Leigh, Bill Camp, and Spencer Treat Clark.

Horror legend James Wan produces the movie, with Roy Lee and Mark Wolper also producing. Dauberman is set to write and executive produce the project.