Salem’s Lot Star Opened Up About Two Major Changes From Stephen King’s Novel, And I’m Already Questioning Why They Happened

Salem's Lot Star Opened Up About Two Major Changes From Stephen King's Novel, And I'm Already Questioning Why They Happened

As a longtime Stephen King fan and someone who has read “Salem’s Lot” more times than I can count, I must admit that I was initially taken aback by the news of significant changes to this upcoming adaptation. Having grown up with the original 1975 novel, its slow-building tension and psychological horror have left an indelible mark on me, much like the mark that Mark Petrie’s mother’s ring leaves on his hand in the story.


For fans of horror movies, there’s plenty to look forward to as numerous Stephen King movie adaptations and TV miniseries are on the horizon. However, one project in particular has piqued my interest for over two years – “Salem’s Lot”. Originally planned for 2022, this upcoming “Salem’s Lot” was repeatedly delayed and eventually disappeared from any release calendar. I had given up hope that it would ever see the light of day, but now, it appears that the movie will be accessible only to those with a Max subscription on streaming platforms. One of the film’s actors recently shared insights about some substantial alterations from the original book, and I can’t help but wonder why such changes were necessary.

During a chat with Entertainment Weekly, Makenzie Leigh (Susan Norton in the forthcoming movie adaptation) discussed the notable changes made from Stephen King’s 1975 novel and how these modifications allowed her to shine in her role. In her own words, she stated:

Gary shared with me the extent of his transformation. Particularly regarding Susan’s character, he dared to push boundaries that made me consider following suit and trusting my intuition about portraying her. In this movie specifically, it felt like a challenge: how could my character blend seamlessly into the world Gary was crafting? How might I contribute to maintaining that particular tone?

As per EW, one of the most striking alterations in this new adaptation is a reversed finale that replaces the novel’s memorable climax with an action-packed scene at a drive-in theater. Actress from “The Slap” talked about her experience tackling such a physically challenging ending and the thrill she and co-star Lewis Pullman from “Salem’s Lot” experienced while learning stunts for this sequence. Leigh explained:

I truly relished the experience of tumbling about and grasping the entire workflow from our stand-in performers.

Sure thing!

If altering Dauberman’s “Salem’s Lot” character, Susan, significantly shifts her development, it may ignite discussions among dedicated fans. Transforming Susan into a more nuanced and active individual might be beneficial, but traditionalists could find these adjustments unsettling. However, it’s also possible that the changes are simply misinterpreted, and maybe Susan is actually a vampire during this drive-in scene, adding an extra dose of excitement compared to the original novel on screen.

As a diehard fan, I can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension about the upcoming adaptation of ‘Salem’s Lot. The original 1975 novel was a masterpiece, slowly immersing us into King’s chilling tale of psychological horror set in a small town. However, it appears that this new version is leaning more towards an action-packed, high-octane take on the story.

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2024-09-09 22:07