Originally set to be directed by Cary Fukunaga (True Detective) with Will Poulter as the big bad, the two-part adaptation of It has undergone some major changes in recent months, including the addition of Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise the Clown. A first look at him in the role has now been revealed though, and it's fair to say that he definitely looks like a faithful representation of the character.
"It’s such an extreme character. Inhumane," the actor explains. "It’s beyond even a sociopath, because he’s not even human. He’s not even a clown. I’m playing just one of the beings It creates. It’s important that we do something fresh and original for this one. It’s purposely not going toward that weird, greasy look. It truly enjoys the shape of the clown Pennywise, and enjoys the game and the hunt. What’s funny to this evil entity might not be funny to everyone else. But he thinks it’s funny."
As for what it's like to follow in the footsteps of Tim Curry (who has understandably become synonymous with the role, he added: "Tim Curry’s performance was truly great, but it’s important for me to do something different because of that. I’ll never be able to make a Tim Curry performance as good as Tim Curry." The site also reveals that the movie will take place in the 1980s rather than 50s.
Andrés Muschietti is directing It for a release on September 8th next year making it 2017's second Stephen King adaptation after The Dark Tower in February. Should it succeed, the plan is for a sequel to adapt the second half of the lengthy novel dealing with the kids returning home as adults to once again deal with Pennywise the Clown, arguably one of the author's truly most frightening creations.
