As a movie reviewer who has spent countless nights huddled under blankets with flashlights, devouring every word Stephen King ever wrote, I must say that the upcoming reboot of “Salem’s Lot” has me more excited than a cat on a hot tin roof!
In October, anticipation abounds for the remake of Stephen King’s classic novel, “Salem’s Lot.” This reboot aims to breathe life into the story for modern audiences who may not be accustomed to the traditional portrayal of vampires as fearsome creatures from folklore. Over time, these undead beings have often been reduced to a humorous stereotype catering to a new generation raised on social media. However, actor Lewis Pullman suggests that director Gary Dauberman aims to correct this trend by reinstating the vampire to its “legendary” stature, which it truly deserves.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly before the release of “Salem’s Lot” on Max next month, Pullman discussed Dauberman’s approach to the adaptation. He explained that while the director doesn’t strictly view it as a horror film, it’s more about terrifying events occurring in a small town. It’s essentially a story about ordinary people grappling with an extraordinary circumstance, which is common in much of King’s work. In this case, you won’t see any sparkling vampires; instead, Dauberman aims to reintroduce a sense of mystery and intrigue into the creatures, something that has been lacking in recent times.
He aimed to fan the flames of mystery surrounding vampires once more. Over the past few decades, their portrayal has evolved significantly within popular culture. In my opinion, Gary was striving to revisit the enigmatic, almost mythical perspective that originally defined them.
Vampires in popular culture have evolved over time, moving away from traditional depictions towards series like “The Vampire Diaries”, “True Blood”, and “What We Do in the Shadows”. Shows such as “Twilight” have portrayed vampires not so much as terrifying creatures that once kept children awake at night, but as ordinary individuals dealing with high school issues who just happen to have fangs. While this is acceptable, it lacks the fear factor that originally defined these characters. The upcoming film “Salem’s Lot” might help reestablish vampires in their original, dominant position, and perhaps we can see fewer watered-down versions in favor of more gruesome presentations.
Lewis Pullman Felt the ‘Weight’ of Salem’s Lot
Terrifying vampires aside, Pullman certainly felt the pressure that comes with appearing not only as a lead character, but in a King adaptation. Son of the late Bill Pullman, he’s since gone on to appear in a number of films and TV shows between the time Salem’s Lot finished shooting in 2022 and its premiere next month. At the time, however, the role of Ben Mears was his first headlining part, and it was not lost on the young actor how important it was.
I experienced a significant amount of stress… A considerable burden seemed to be present… In many of King’s novels, it seems as if they serve as a means for him to express himself. To put it another way, I found myself nearly embodying Stephen King, and I had to make an effort to shake off that notion because, undeniably, the more authentic you are in portraying something that aligns with your own self, the more captivating it becomes.
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2024-09-06 20:01