A new 'Salem's Lot adaptation is happening

[mae]

http://screenrant.com/stephen-king-salems-lot-the-stand/

Stephen King teases new adaptations of his classic novels Salem’s Lot and The Stand. Beginning with his very first book – 1974’s Carrie – King has been a popular target for adaptation by Hollywood, with his work having been turned into films and TV shows literally dozens of times. Some of these adaptations have been amazing, some have been decent, and some have been downright awful, but that never seems to discourage studios from wanting to try and craft the next big King-based hit.

That strategy sure worked out well for Warner Bros., with their R-rated adaptation of King’s IT currently hauling in cash by the truckload. Director Andy Muschietti’s film is rapidly approaching the $500 million mark at the worldwide box office, cementing it as one of the most successful horror properties of all time. Muschietti has recently expressed interest in directing a new adaptation of Pet Sematary as well, perhaps setting himself up as Hollywood’s new go-to director for King material.

While it remains to be seen if Muschietti’s wish to direct Pet Sematary will come true, King himself spoke to Vulture recently, and during the chat, the horror master teased possible new adaptations of both Salem’s Lot and The Stand. Here’s what the iconic author had to say.

“There’s talk about doing The Stand as an extended TV series, possibly for Showtime or CBS All Access, and there’s been some interest in developing Salem’s Lot as a feature, probably because people are saying, “Well, we took an old miniseries called IT and turned it into a phenomenon, so maybe we can do it with something else.” Nothing succeeds like excess!”

Salem’s Lot – King’s second novel, released in 1975 – has actually been adapted twice before, both as TV miniseries. The first of those came in 1979, and is today well-remembered for some especially creepy sequences, although the pacing can sometimes drag. The second starred Rob Lowe as protagonist Ben Mears, and aired on TNT in 2004. Most seem to prefer the 1979 Salem’s Lot, but the 2004 version has its fans as well. The Stand – King’s fourth novel, released in 1978 – was adapted into a miniseries for ABC in 1994, which is generally well-regarded by fans.

As King points out, the idea of turning Salem’s Lot into a feature makes sense, as IT proved that a King miniseries can translate well over to the big screen. Interestingly, King’s mention of doing The Stand as a TV series seems to suggest that director Josh Boone’s feature adaptation of the post-apocalyptic novel is completely dead, after being officially put on hold in early 2016. Perhaps that’s for the best, as a series format would likely enable much more of King’s gargantuan book to be adapted.

[herbertwest]

Do we really need another one?

[mikeC]

I wouldn't mind one. The Rob Lowe one actually made me angry at how awful it was.

[Lilja]

Well, there are talks about one. It's far from a done deal...

Lilja

[St. Troy]

I've enjoyed both previous ones to some extent, but I'd really like a great one that was faithful to the novel and creepy (as the novel) without being in the least hokey (as the first adaptation was, in parts).

I'm always initially excited about adaptations because I always picture them being done right. SL has a pretty compact plot; if they stick to what's there, they could have a tense, creepy, scary movie on their hands. Let's hope they resist the temptation to get creative with this.

[CyberGhostface]

James Cromwell was great casting for Callahan, shame they ruined the character.

[CyberGhostface]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/james-wan-gary-dauberman-tackling-stephen-kings-salems-lot-1204201


James Wan and Gary Dauberman, the respective producer and writer collaborators behind many of the biggest hits of the Conjuring horror universe, are teaming to adapt the novel for New Line.

Dauberman will write the script and serve as executive producer. Wan will produce, along with Roy Lee and Mark Wolper.

...

The new project has no director at this stage, though both Wan and Dauberman could make compelling candidates.

[St. Troy]

Intriguing. I like the atmosphere of the Conjuring movies; this could work.

[Earl of Popkin]

Charles Dance aka Tywin Lannister = Barlow

[Ben Mears]

Would love to see them maintain the timeframe (mid-70s, no cell phone etc), film the movie in and around Durham and Lisbon Falls and use original model and inspiration for the Marsten House...

Shiloh Church, Durham, ME:
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_2867_3_.JPG

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_2560_4_.JPG

Harmony (Hill) Grove Cemetery, Durham, ME:
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_2538_3_.JPG

[Brainslinger]

That would be good, but I think it will likely be set in the present day. (Those locations would still work.)

Might not be a bad thing, mind you, done right. You'd need to get round the fact a small town in the sticks (ripe for the plucking with nobody even aware) would be less remote nowadays in the internet/cellphone age, but towers can mysteriously break down... etc...

[St. Troy]

Not much new here, really, but a mention of Salem's Lot in a discussion with Gary Dauberman (screenwriter on the upcoming SL adaptation as well as the modern It adaptations): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/annabelle-director-it-2-his-salems-lot-vision-1220872

[Merlin1958]

Not much new here, really, but a mention of Salem's Lot in a discussion with Gary Dauberman (screenwriter on the upcoming SL adaptation as well as the modern It adaptations): https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/annabelle-director-it-2-his-salems-lot-vision-1220872

Nice piece, thanks for sharing!!!

[mae]

https://deadline.com/2020/04/stephen-king-salems-lot-to-be-directed-by-1202905867/

Deadline has confirmed that Annabelle Comes Home director Gary Dauberman is also taking the reins of the New Line feature adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot. Dauberman was already adapting the 1975 horror novel for the big screen for producers James Wan, Roy Lee and Mark Wolper.

Dauberman will also be EP. He previously worked with Wan writing the Annabelle franchise, and made his feature directorial debut on last summer’s Annabelle Comes Home.

Salem’s Lot follows a writer named Ben Mears who returns to the town of Jerusalem’s Lot (or Salem’s Lot for short) in Maine, where he had lived from the age of 5 through 9, only to discover that the residents are becoming vampires.

Previous iterations of Salem’s Lot included a 1979 miniseries, a 1987 small-screen follow-up and a two-part TNT series in 2004.

Warner Bros had a hit in its big screen take on King’s 1986 novel It, which they split up into two movies, amassing $1.17 billion worldwide between both pics. However, the studio’s take on Shining sequel Doctor Sleep tanked with $72.3 million worldwide despite great reviews at 77% certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

[herbertwest]

And King didnt seem too happy about that idea
>>> https://twitter.com/StephenKing/status/1248730349439537159

Which makes me wonder why that comment.
I thought he did a terrific job on IT Chapter 1. IT Chapter 2 was good but didnt do as well on the box office.
But then maybe King read his script and didnt like it, but cant really do much given the rights are not tied up to him anymore?

[CyberGhostface]

I think he's just referring to how the previous versions weren't that faithful. The last one for example had Callahan turning evil.

[georgiesarm]

And King didnt seem too happy about that idea
>>> https://twitter.com/StephenKing/status/1248730349439537159

Which makes me wonder why that comment.
I thought he did a terrific job on IT Chapter 1. IT Chapter 2 was good but didnt do as well on the box office.
But then maybe King read his script and didnt like it, but cant really do much given the rights are not tied up to him anymore?

Keep in mind he barely had anything to do with the script for Chapter 1 (about 10% was his) and Chapter 2's biggest failure was the weak writing when it comes to plot structure, character and dialogue. I have very little hope for a Salem's Lot by him, and will probably skip it because I can't bare to witness this amazingly creepy story being butchered again.

[Curly]

And King didnt seem too happy about that idea
>>> https://twitter.com/StephenKing/status/1248730349439537159

Which makes me wonder why that comment.
I thought he did a terrific job on IT Chapter 1. IT Chapter 2 was good but didnt do as well on the box office.
But then maybe King read his script and didnt like it, but cant really do much given the rights are not tied up to him anymore?

Keep in mind he barely had anything to do with the script for Chapter 1 (about 10% was his) and Chapter 2's biggest failure was the weak writing when it comes to plot structure, character and dialogue. I have very little hope for a Salem's Lot by him, and will probably skip it because I can't bare to witness this amazingly creepy story being butchered again.

:sharepopcorn:

[St. Troy]

Where It is complex and generates several "how are we/they going to handle this?" type of adaptation questions, Salem's Lot is simple and (in the right humble yet creative hands) has all it needs, right there. Don't eff it up!

[Bev Vincent]

Downtown Ipswich (MA) is set to appear as the backdrop again when filmmakers roll into town in September.

Filming will take place in the AnnTiques area of South Main Street for five or six days, Town Manager Tony Marino told the select board Monday.

The movie planned is “Salem’s Lot,” a remake of Stephen King’s classic about a vampire in small-town Maine.

>>> Source (http://thelocalne.ws/2021/07/20/bloody-mess-as-movie-making-returns-downtown-in-september/)

[Randall Flagg]

Forgive my ignorance, but where is Ipswitch?

[Bev Vincent]

(MA)

[herbertwest]

Seems like the shooting may actually already have started : https://eu.milforddailynews.com/story/news/2021/07/07/uxbridge-movie-set-mccloskey-building/7894813002/

[DoctorZaius]

Forgive my ignorance, but where is Ipswitch?

No ignorance. Actually, it's "Ipswich," and it is on the north shore of Massachusetts, nestled in around Gloucester and Newburyport. If you ever get there, you have to stop off at The Clam Box - famous for its fried food. There are some connections to Salem and the witch trials as well. Beautiful area.

[St. Troy]

If you ever get there, you have to stop off at The Clam Box - famous for its fried food.

I can vouch for this.

[ratchet41]

My Question is Why? do we really need another version? Seriously

[Bev Vincent]

The first one is hopelessly dated and the second one was just hopeless!

[fitomad]

The first one is hopelessly dated and the second one was just hopeless!

Not outdated, just “vintage” :-)

[ratchet41]

i love the (1979) movie and though on bluray you can see the strings when they i forget the little brothers name is coming through the window but they had cleaned up the picture. the (2004) version i thought was well made but it was a piece of shit.

[georgiesarm]

I would embrace a new adaptation of Salem's Lot, lots of potential, if there was actual talent involved in the making instead of written/directed by Gary Dauberman

[herbertwest]

So Ben Mears will be played by Lewis Pullman :
https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3680468/stephen-kings-salems-lot-returns-life-james-wan-produced-movie-starring-lewis-pullman/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/stephen-king-adaptation-salems-lot-finds-its-lead-in-lewis-pullman-exclusive-1235004127/

[Bev Vincent]

Son of Bill Pullman.

[Bev Vincent]

More casting news: Makenzie Leigh (Susan Norton), Bill Camp (Matthew Burke) & Spencer Treat Clark (Mike Ryerson)

[St. Troy]

I don't know Makenzie Leigh; I only remember Spencer Treat Clark from Unbreakable (he was good in that); Bill Camp is great (his addition is a good sign).

[Bev Vincent]

Alfre Woodard has been cast as Dr. Cody

[herbertwest]

William Sadler joined the movie
And also, the movie is planned to be released in theaters on september 9th, 2022 in the usa

https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3682607/new-take-stephen-kings-salems-lot-set-bite-theaters-next-halloween-season/

[Ben Mears]

Alfre Woodard has been cast as Dr. Cody

Seems a bit of a stretch. In the novel Dr. Cody is in his mid-thirties. Ms. Woodard is approaching 70. Hopefully this doesn't portend more deviations from the original story. We've already seen that in the two previous adaptations.

[Ben Mears]

Thankfully it appears that the movie will be set in the 70s...

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/500/1763ae53-1c24-4129-bc61-514c6260ca1c-LOC_140_Club_1.JPG

https://www.telegram.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/09/16/sterling-princeton-remake-stephen-king-salems-lot-b-mans-tavern/8369278002/.

[St. Troy]

Thankfully it appears that the movie will be set in the 70s...

That helps.

[CyberGhostface]

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/game-of-thrones-pilou-asbaek-salems-lot-1235019962/

Pilou Asbaek is the new Straker.

As crappy as the second one was it looks like it will have had the superior cast at this point. No disrespect to Asbaek (he was fun to watch in 'Game of Thrones') but he's no Donald Sutherland. Likewise Rutger Hauer and James Cromwell in particular are going to be hard to top.

[Bev Vincent]

John Benjamin Hickey has been cast as Father Callahan (https://deadline.com/2021/09/stephen-king-movie-salems-lot-john-benjamin-hickey-cast-1234847418/).

[Bev Vincent]

Jordan Preston Carter, Nicholas Crovetti and Cade Woodward have joined the cast

[Ben Mears]

It is obviously too late to change the format but it would have been interesting to seen this done as a three part mini-series, the film caliber of Hulu's Castle Rock, with each part named the same as in the book:
Part 1: The Marsten House
Part 2: The Emperor of Ice Cream
Part 3: The Deserted Village

The length of each episode would be dictated on what would be required to develop sthe characters and slow burn atmosphere that makes 'Salem's Lot so good.

[herbertwest]

Salem's Lot is less than 3 months away
Still no trailer, no poster, no promotional anything

And apparently they are doing some reshoots...
> https://screenrant.com/press-play-lewis-pullman-interview/

[Merlin1958]

Salem's Lot is less than 3 months away
Still no trailer, no poster, no promotional anything

And apparently they are doing some reshoots...
> https://screenrant.com/press-play-lewis-pullman-interview/

'Salem's Lot is kin of terribly difficult to bring to the big screen. Like a lot of King works, so much of the scare build ups take place in the minds of the characters. I mean on the face of it the premise seems kind of silly until you actually read the book and King does his magic. That subtle difference, however you want to characterize it, just doesn't make into any screen adaption. Maybe I'll be proven wrong. Here's hoping so.

[Ben Mears]

See my 4/25/22 post. That format would afford the time necessary to fully develop the characters and the slow burn atmosphere that makes SL such a good book.

[herbertwest]

Lilja pointed out that this is the movie tie-in cover... so that's maybe the (disappointing) poster?

http://www.liljas-library.com/img/other/5c1c2da4-9bad-4722-9c0c-1e16a3.jpg

[Ben Mears]

Still no trailer.

[Bev Vincent]

Theatrical Release Of Stephen King Pic ‘Salem’s Lot’ Moves From Post Labor Day To Spring 2023 (https://deadline.com/2022/07/salems-lot-release-date-change-2023-1235061343/)


The start of the fall box office just got bleaker as Warner Bros is moving New Line’s adaptation of Stephen King vampire novel Salem’s Lot from Sept. 9 to April 21, 2023. I hear the move is due to Covid-related delays in the post production realm. The Gary Dauberman-directed pic also had a handful of days of additional photography six weeks ago.

[herbertwest]

I was going to post that just now :D

[herbertwest]

Honnestly, this visual is boring as f!

[Ben Mears]

Theatrical Release Of Stephen King Pic ‘Salem’s Lot’ Moves From Post Labor Day To Spring 2023 (https://deadline.com/2022/07/salems-lot-release-date-change-2023-1235061343/)


The start of the fall box office just got bleaker as Warner Bros is moving New Line’s adaptation of Stephen King vampire novel Salem’s Lot from Sept. 9 to April 21, 2023. I hear the move is due to Covid-related delays in the post production realm. The Gary Dauberman-directed pic also had a handful of days of additional photography six weeks ago.

That's unfortunate. The story begins on September the 5th so a September 9th opening would have been perfect timing.

[mikeC]

Troubling. April is usually no man's land movie wise.

[Bev Vincent]

Warner Bros. reports that Salem's Lot, which was initially scheduled to release April 21, 2023, has been pulled from the company's release calendar entirely, with a new date to be announced at a later date.

[CyberGhostface]

I think it's less to do with them being worried about the film and more to do with the shitshow that is affecting their entire company but still a shame.

[Merlin1958]

I think it's less to do with them being worried about the film and more to do with the shitshow that is affecting their entire company but still a shame.

Why? What's the dirt on HBO/Warner?

[CyberGhostface]

lol I don’t even know where to begin. They’ve been going full scorched over the last couple of weeks.

https://consequence.net/2022/08/warner-bros-discovery-market-cap-cut-costs/

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/warner-bros-discovery-doesn-t-231320411.html

For all we know they could decide to just cancel the ‘Salem’s Lot release period and put the finished film in a vault like they did with Batgirl. (I don’t see that happening but I wouldn’t put anything past them.)

[Merlin1958]

lol I don’t even know where to begin. They’ve been going full scorched over the last couple of weeks.

https://consequence.net/2022/08/warner-bros-discovery-market-cap-cut-costs/

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/warner-bros-discovery-doesn-t-231320411.html

For all we know they could decide to just cancel the ‘Salem’s Lot release period and put the finished film in a vault like they did with Batgirl. (I don’t see that happening but I wouldn’t put anything past them.)

:sharepopcorn::crow burp:

[Ben Mears]

For all we know they could decide to just cancel the ‘Salem’s Lot release period and put the finished film in a vault like they did with Batgirl. (I don’t see that happening but I wouldn’t put anything past them.)

Batgirl was mothballed because of poor test screen results. I wonder if SL was tested as well. Very disappointing.

[mae]

Batgirl was mothballed because of poor test screen results. I wonder if SL was tested as well. Very disappointing.

Not really true. Reports are that it only had one test screening with unfinished visual effects and tested as well as the first It movie, which went on to make over $700 million, or their upcoming Black Adam.

[Ben Mears]

Batgirl was mothballed because of poor test screen results. I wonder if SL was tested as well. Very disappointing.

Not really true. Reports are that it only had one test screening with unfinished visual effects and tested as well as the first It movie, which went on to make over $700 million, or their upcoming Black Adam.

Which movie are you refering to?

[mae]

I meant Batgirl.

[CyberGhostface]

Batgirl was mothballed because of poor test screen results. I wonder if SL was tested as well. Very disappointing.

Not true, it was in the low 60s which both the first It (as Mae said) and Shazam also had.

https://www.gamesradar.com/batgirl-test-screening-audience-score-it/

[Merlin1958]

Ya know what? I'm gonna go on record and say that we don't really need another adaption of Salem's Lot. Especially after that "Firestarter" debacle.

[St. Troy]

Good adaptations are always welcome...

[Bev Vincent]

The film just secured a major update for its release prospects however with the Motion Picture Association confirming the movie has been officially rated. As expected, the new Salem's Lot is rated R for "R for bloody violence and language."

Salem's Lot does not have a release date, but now that it has a rating, that's naturally the next step.

>>> Source (https://comicbook.com/horror/news/salems-lot-reboot-rated-r-major-release-update/)

[fitomad]

I noticed that in the "Upcoming" section a the Stephen King official site the Salem's Lot movie release date is set to April, 21st. Is it the real release date? Or simply the website admin doesn't update the info?

[georgiesarm]

I noticed that in the "Upcoming" section a the Stephen King official site the Salem's Lot movie release date is set to April, 21st. Is it the real release date? Or simply the website admin doesn't update the info?

Simply not updated. That's the previously announced date, but WB has since taken it off the release schedule without announcing a new date. Likely because Evil Dead Rises opens on the same day

[Ari_Racing]

The only inside info I have is that it's confirmed it won't be released during the first half of the year.

[Bev Vincent]

CinemaCon comes and goes with no mention of a pulled Stephen King horror that showed a full trailer last year (https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/cinemacon-comes-and-goes-with-no-mention-of-a-pulled-stephen-king-horror-that-showed-a-full-trailer-last-year/)

[georgiesarm]

No chance in hell this film is going to be any good, but I've had my daubts since the writer/director was announced.

The leaked supposed plot summary also isn't too promising.

[St. Troy]

Disappointing...it's a cool, creepy story that fits nicely into the conventional film running time...is it that hard to do it right?

[CyberGhostface]

IDK if this is true or not but... SPOILERS

Apparently they were going to make this two parts but the first part did poorly in test screenings so they recut/reshot the film to make it self-contained and removed Barlow...? What a shitshow if that's true. Why did this even need to be two parts? I get that it worked for IT (probably why they did it) but that was a necessity. It's not the same as making it a miniseries that airs over two weeks, either.

[St. Troy]

Everyone's in love with doing a bad job.

[Ben Mears]

A vampire movie without the vampire. Now that's a novel approach.

[CyberGhostface]

I'm guessing it's because Barlow doesn't show up in person until late in the book (with Straker being the villain we spend the most time with) so the original ending would have had him appear as a cliffhanger of sorts to usher in the second film.

FWIW I've been trying to find more information about this but haven't been able to.

[herbertwest]

There appears to be nobody credited as Barlow (although there is a makeup artist credited to Barlow)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10245072/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm

[CyberGhostface]

The studio is looking to jettison its horror film “Salem’s Lot” to Max, sources say. Warner Bros. developed it for a theatrical rollout, but after sitting on the shelf for a year, the Gary Dauberman-directed Stephen King adaptation is poised to make its debut on the Warner Bros. Discovery streaming platform.

A source with knowledge of the back-and-forth says the move is not a reflection of the film’s quality but is due to the fact that the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike has created a growing need for Max content. “Salem’s Lot” is one of a few Warner Bros. films deemed to make the jump. But a Warner Bros. spokesperson said, “No decision has been made about the film’s future distribution plans.”

https://variety.com/2023/film/news/salems-lot-new-movie-warner-bros-max-streaming-debut-1235774431/

[herbertwest]

NOT sharing the picture directly, even if watermarked because the professionnal picture database could be annoying but... could this shot be from the new "Salem's Lot" movie?

https://www.alamy.com/a-vertical-shot-of-a-vampire-female-with-long-fingernails-from-salems-lot-image493804454.html

[CyberGhostface]

I think it’s just a stock photo model dressed up, doesn’t look like it’s from a film.

[Ben Mears]

NOT sharing the picture directly, even if watermarked because the professionnal picture database could be annoying but... could this shot be from the new "Salem's Lot" movie?

https://www.alamy.com/a-vertical-shot-of-a-vampire-female-with-long-fingernails-from-salems-lot-image493804454.html

I hope not.

[CyberGhostface]

King wrote the following.


Between you and me, Twitter, I've seen the new SALEM'S LOT and it's quite good. Old-school horror filmmaking: slow build, big payoff. Not sure why WB is holding it back; not like it's embarrassing, or anything. Who knows. I just write the fucking things.

https://twitter.com/StephenKing/status/1759714455921844348?s=20

[Ben Mears]

King wrote the following.


Between you and me, Twitter, I've seen the new SALEM'S LOT and it's quite good. Old-school horror filmmaking: slow build, big payoff. Not sure why WB is holding it back; not like it's embarrassing, or anything. Who knows. I just write the fucking things.

https://twitter.com/StephenKing/status/1759714455921844348?s=20

Frustrating that WB won't release the movie.

[RichardX]

King wrote the following.


Between you and me, Twitter, I've seen the new SALEM'S LOT and it's quite good. Old-school horror filmmaking: slow build, big payoff. Not sure why WB is holding it back; not like it's embarrassing, or anything. Who knows. I just write the fucking things.

https://twitter.com/StephenKing/status/1759714455921844348?s=20

Frustrating that WB won't release the movie.

Careful what you wish for. This is likely to be unwatchable. Uncle Stevie just wants to cash the check. A true one percenter. The most recent Pet Semetery movie was horrific.

[Ben Mears]

King wrote the following.


Between you and me, Twitter, I've seen the new SALEM'S LOT and it's quite good. Old-school horror filmmaking: slow build, big payoff. Not sure why WB is holding it back; not like it's embarrassing, or anything. Who knows. I just write the fucking things.

https://twitter.com/StephenKing/status/1759714455921844348?s=20

Frustrating that WB won't release the movie.

Careful what you wish for. This is likely to be unwatchable. Uncle Stevie just wants to cash the check. A true one percenter. The most recent Pet Semetery movie was horrific.

You're likely right but I'd be willing t give it a chance.

[St. Troy]

Given that an entire line of Children of the Corn was made (and we can name others), one wonders at the notion that quality concerns might actually prevent the release/airing of a King adaptation.

And although I (as a viewer) care loads about quality, given the financial nature of film production, once money has been sunk into it, you've got to let it out in order to get any money back, and that (at this point) should be WB's goal (unless they envision some magical new edit of what's been shot that can save it).

[CyberGhostface]

Careful what you wish for. This is likely to be unwatchable. Uncle Stevie just wants to cash the check. A true one percenter. The most recent Pet Semetery movie was horrific.

I know you hate King and want to paint him as some money-grubbing miser who but I'm pretty sure he's already been paid already and he just wants people to see the film. Can't imagine this one film makes too much of a difference for him financially.


Given that an entire line of Children of the Corn was made (and we can name others), one wonders at the notion that quality concerns might actually prevent the release/airing of a King adaptation.

And although I (as a viewer) care loads about quality, given the financial nature of film production, once money has been sunk into it, you've got to let it out in order to get any money back, and that (at this point) should be WB's goal (unless they envision some magical new edit of what's been shot that can save it).

Nothing to do with quality reasons. Zaslav canned the Wile E. Coyote film without even seeing it for a tax write off even though it had been getting rave reviews at test screenings.

[St. Troy]

Nothing to do with quality reasons.

Wasn't that the purported reason?

What is the real reason?

[CyberGhostface]

Wasn't that the purported reason?

What is the real reason?

Already said it, a tax write off.

Regardless, Warner Bros. hasn't made any official decisions yet.

[herbertwest]

Careful what you wish for. This is likely to be unwatchable. Uncle Stevie just wants to cash the check. A true one percenter. The most recent Pet Semetery movie was horrific.

I know you hate King and want to paint him as some money-grubbing miser who but I'm pretty sure he's already been paid already and he just wants people to see the film. Can't imagine this one film makes too much of a difference for him financially.


Given that an entire line of Children of the Corn was made (and we can name others), one wonders at the notion that quality concerns might actually prevent the release/airing of a King adaptation.

And although I (as a viewer) care loads about quality, given the financial nature of film production, once money has been sunk into it, you've got to let it out in order to get any money back, and that (at this point) should be WB's goal (unless they envision some magical new edit of what's been shot that can save it).

Nothing to do with quality reasons. Zaslav canned the Wile E. Coyote film without even seeing it for a tax write off even though it had been getting rave reviews at test screenings.

Yeah the team were able to shop that movie around. Netflix were interested at 45M if i recall correctly, but WB declined as they wanted 80
https://screenrant.com/coyote-vs-acme-movie-canceled-warner-bros-david-zaslav/

[CyberGhostface]

“Salem’s Lot,” the long-gestating adaptation of Stephen King’s 1975 bestselling novel about vampires, will debut on streaming instead of premiering in theaters.

New Line, the studio behind the horror film, officially announced that “Salem’s Lot” will appear on Max in 2024.

https://variety.com/2024/film/news/salems-lot-max-streaming-release-date-stephen-king-1235939624/