IT: CHAPTER 2 Casting Confirms The Inclusion Of One Of The Book's Most Controversial Scenes
With filming on It: Chapter 2 underway, a couple of big new casting additions have been made to the sequel and those point to one of the most controversial moments from Stephen King's novel being adapted.
According to Deadline, Will Beinbrink and Xavier Dolan are the latest additions to the cast of Andy Muschietti's It: Chapter 2 and we know who they're playing! The former is going to be taking on the role of Tom Rogan, the abusive husband of the now grown-up Beverly Marsh (Jessica Chastain). Dolan, meanwhile, is going to play Adrian Mellon and if you've read the book, you guys will know his name.
In the Stephen King novel, Adrian is a gay resident in Derry who is beaten up and thrown off the Kissing Bridge during the book's opening pages. Upon landing, he's confronted by Pennywise and, well, things go pretty badly for him from there! However, it's the homophobia of the teens who attacked him that leads to the demonic clown resurfacing and then once again corrupting the small town's adults.
From there, the Loser's Club reunites to try and take him down. It's actually quite surprising that this plot beat has made it into It: Chapter 2 as the vast majority of fans assumed it would be cut given how controversial a moment it is and how outdated that way of thinking is now perceived to be. However, homophobia sadly hasn't gone anywhere so it does make sense that it will be touched on in this movie.