The new film of Salem’s Lot lands some expertise from Game Of Thrones as its cast comes together: more details here.
Pilou Asbæk, who played a memorable turn as the pirate rogue Euron Greyjoy in Game of Thrones, has landed the plum role in the upcoming film adaptation of Stephen King’s vampire novel Salem’s Lot. Asbæk will play Richard Straker, the vampire who serves as the chief antagonist for a large part of the story. The actor joins Alfre Woodard, Makenzie Leigh, Bill Camp and Spencer Treat Clark to round out the ensemble.
Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot is a great take on the modern vampire story, but not one that’s seen a true cinematic adaptation. King’s body of work has been adapted over 50 times, with Salem’s Lot getting two forays onto the smaller screen, once as a TV movie and once as a mini-series. Although the 1970s TV movie is not without its fans (and merits), the hope is third time’s the charm though. It’s worth noting that with the news that Asbæk has been cast as Straker, the rumours that were swirling in the summer regarding Jake Gyllenhaal and Christopher Waltz starring in the new big screen adaptation of King’s second novel, seem to be nothing more than that.
New Line Cinema acquired the rights to the project back in 2019 with James Wan producing. Gary Dauberman, who has scribed Annabelle and IT is set to write and direct. The production is already underway in Boston.
Whilst the eventual casting may not be as high profile as originally suggested, we’re still all-in for this one as some talented names are attached to it, and the book remains one of King’s darkest tales from his golden period as a horror writer. Will it be the best of the author’s upcoming adaptations though? Edgar Wright’s planned adaptation of The Running Man may yet have something to say about that…
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