Stephen King’s IT Finds its Pennywise
Steve Barton
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Well, now there’s no need for any more speculation! The actor who’ll be taking over the demonic reigns in the new telling of Stephen King’s IT has been found! According to THR, Bill Skarsgard has the IT factor.
The actor, who is one of the stars of “Hemlock Grove,” has nabbed the role of Stephen King’s iconic villain Pennywise the Clown in New Line’s adaptation of the author’s landmark novel IT.
Skarsgard is in final negotiations to star in the horror pic, whose cast will also include St. Vincent actor Jaeden Lieberher, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, and Jeremy Ray Taylor.
Andy Muschietti, the helmer behind the surprise horror hit Mama, is directing the adaptation, which is being told in two parts. Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Seth Grahame-Smith, David Katzenberg, and Barbara Muschietti are producing.
The story follows a group of teens called the Losers Club who defeat a creature called It. Years later, the creature returns; and the former club members, now adults, have to band together again even though they have no memory of the first battle. Pennywise is the form the evil entity frequently takes. He is a clown who, when he smiles, is all killer teeth.
New Line’s first movie will tell the kids’ story, while the second movie will focus on the adults.
The project was originally coming together under the direction of Cary Fukunaga, who left over creative differences, and at the time, Will Poulter (We’re the Millers, The Revenant) was to have played Pennywise. The search for a new director pushed the movie by a year, and Poulter was no longer available.
Jon Silk is executive producing IT. Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, and Dave Neustadter are overseeing the project for New Line.
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