A new adaptation of one of Stephen King's most popular novels, Salem's Lot, is in development at New Line, and we're hearing that Jake Gyllenhaal has been offered the lead.
The Illuminerdi reports that a "formal offer" has gone out to the Spider-Man: Far From Home actor to play troubled writer turned vampire-hunter Ben Mears. Apparently, Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained) is the studio's "top choice" to play Richard Straker, though it's not currently known if he's been approached.
Recent IT adaptation writer Gary Dauberman (Annabelle Comes Home) has signed on to direct, and he will also pen the screenplay. Aquaman director James Wan will produce this big-screen take on the novel, along with Roy Lee and Mark Wolper.
Salem's Lot tells the story of a writer named Ben Mears who returns to his childhood town of Jerusalem's Lot only to find himself drawn to an old house that traumatized him as a child. The Marsten House is an evil place, and an evil place attracts evil men. Unfortunately for Ben and the rest of the town, this time the evil men in question are powerful vampire Kurt Barlow and his devious familiar Richard Straker.
The book was previously adapted as a 1979 miniseries from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre director Tobe Hooper, featuring a scene with child-vampire scratching at the window which terrified an entire generation. There was also a far less successful 2004 version starring Rob Lowe.
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