This article contains spoilers from the Salem’s Lot and Dark Tower novels.
Salem’s Lotfeatures significant connections to Mike Flanagan’s upcomingThe Dark Toweradaptation. The 1975 horror novel set in the fictional town of Jerusalem’s Lot was Stephen King’s second published novel and was translated into an onscreen adaptation in 1979. A remake directed by Gary Dauberman and starring Lewis Pullman, Makenzie Leigh, and Pilou Asbæk is debuting on Max in 2024, withKing openly supporting thisSalem’s Lotadaptation.
Several years after the publication ofSalem’s Lot, King publishedThe Gunslinger, which launchedThe Dark Towerseries that connects to many of the characters, locations, and storylines in the author’s other stories. Flanagan, who has adapted many of King’s works, includingDoctor SleepandThe Life of Chuck, is now helming a television seriesadaptation ofThe Dark Tower. WhileThe Dark Towerfeatures many connections to other King stories, there are particularly important connections toSalem’s Lot.
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Father Donald Callahan’s Story Continues In The Dark Tower
His Story Does Not End In Salem’s Lot
The story of Father Donald Callahan, one ofSalem’s Lot’s most important characters, continues inThe Dark Towerbooks. After the priest fails to defeat the vampire Kurt Barlow,an ashamed Callahan leaves Jerusalem’s Lot, with his fate after his departure left unaddressed by the end ofSalem’s Lot. It was not until theDark TowernovelWolves of the Calla, which was published in 2003, that Callahan’s post-Salem’s Lotfate was addressed.
Callahan becomes an important character and ally to Roland and his ka-tet in Wolves of the Calla, Song of Susannah, and The Dark Tower, with Callahan’s story culminating in the series' final installment.
The Dark Tower’s protagonist, Roland Deschain, and his ka-tet encounter Callahan in the village of Calla Bryn Sturgis. After leaving Jerusalem’s Lot, Callahan is revealed to have gone to New York City, where he learned to identify and hunt vampires. Callahan’s actions attract the attention ofThe Dark Tower’s overarching antagonist, the Crimson King, leading to a series of events that take him to Calla Bryn Sturgis.Callahan becomes an important character and ally to Roland and his ka-tetinWolves of the Calla,Song of Susannah, andThe Dark Tower, with Callahan’s story culminating in the series' final installment.
The Dark Tower Provides Closure For 2 Other Salem’s Lot Characters
The Fates Of Ben Mears And Mark Petrie Are Revealed
Father Callahan is the main connection betweenSalem’s LotandThe Dark Tower, butthe series also provides insight into what happened to the writer Ben Mears and to young Mark Petrie. Ben, Mark, and Callahan are the only characters to survive the horrors inflicted by Barlow and the other vampires inSalem’s Lot. While Callahan leaves the town before Barlow is defeated, Ben and Mark do not flee until they defeat Barlow, although they return in the epilogue, lighting a fire to destroy the town and the remaining vampires.
InWolves of the Calla, Ben and Mark’s fates after the epilogue are revealed as Callahan attended Ben’s funeral, with Ben being in his fifties, meaning the writer lived for two decades afterSalem’s Lot. It is also mentioned thatCallahan saw Mark, now a young man, at the funeral, where Mark delivered a eulogy in honor of Ben.Wolves of the Callaprovides closure for Ben and Mark, confirming that they lived for many years after the trauma they endured and had each other.
How 2024’s Salem’s Lot Movie & Mike Flanagan’s Dark Tower Will Complement Each Other
It’s A Great Time To Be A Stephen King Fan
While 2024’sSalem’s Lotand Flanagan’sDark Towerare entirely separate projects developed by different creative teams,both share the promise of being faithful and rewarding adaptations of King’s work. King’s support ofSalem’s Lothelped the 2024 remake finally release on Max after being delayed for 2 years following the author speaking highly of the adaptation. Flanagan’s long-gestatingDark Towerseries should be a stellar adaptation as well, withThe Life of Chuck’s positive reviewsonce again proving he is well-suited to adapting King’s stories.
TheSalem’s Lotremake will be available to stream on Max on July 08, 2025.
When Flanagan’sThe Dark Towereventually reaches Father Callahan entering the story, a new actor will likely be cast, althoughit would be fun if the series cast John Benjamin Hickey, the same actor playing Callahan in 2024’sSalem’s Lot.Wolves of the Callaalso features a fascinating moment where Callahan discovers a copy of the bookSalem’s Lotdue to the multiverse in the story, a detail that Flanagan’sDark Towershould include.Salem’s LotandThe Dark Towerare among the many current and upcoming adaptations that make it an exciting time to be a Stephen King fan.
Salem’s Lot
Cast
Salem’s Lot is a 2024 remake of the movie of the same name released in 1979. The latest adaptation of Stephen King’s 1975 novel stars Lewis Pullman, Makenzie Leigh, and Bill Camp, with Gary Dauberman writing and directing the Max original film. The plot revolves around a writer who discovers a vampire in his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot upon returning home for inspiration.
