Pennywise will return to Derry this summer, as IT: Chapter Two sets a potential filming start date. One of the biggest hits at the box office in 2017 was the feature film adaptation of Stephen King's terrifying novel IT. While there are some that have fond memories of the made-for-TV IT miniseries adaptation starring Tim Curry, the source material had yet to be fully realized. Director Andrés Muschietti took command of the big screen attempt, and thanks to a wonderful blend of scares and humor brought to life by a great young cast, IT exceeded all expectations.
Even before IT hit theaters, Muscietti began teasing his vision for the potential sequel. Once the box office receipts started pouring in however, Warner Bros. and New Line wasted no time confirming IT: Chapter Two officially into development. With a release date set for 2019, it will be a quick turnaround for the next chapter in the Pennywise story.
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Omega Underground is now reporting that IT: Chapter Two aims to start filming this June. The plan is for production to head back to Toronto. Stage work will take place at Pinewood Toronto Studios, while it is assumed that Port Hope will once again double for Derry. The tentative start date is June 18th, which should put Chapter Two on track to wrap filming by October or November this year.
Following in the footsteps King's novel, Chapter Two will pick up with the members of the Losers' Club having to deal with Pennywise's return to Derry, 27 years after their initial encounter. The time jump will not change who portrays the Dancing Clown though, as Bill Skarsgård is set to return. While the young cast members from the first movie are expected to be back in a smaller capacity for flashbacks, the majority of the story will revolve around the grown-up versions of their characters.
Casting for Chapter Two has yet to begin, but Jessica Chastain has expressed interest in playing adult Beverly. She isn't the only one who wants to see this happen either. She's been a popular choice in fan-casts, and Muschietti also wants his Mama star to play the part. These casting announcements should be on their way in the next few months, as the project's crew further gear up for filming to begin.
After grossing $700 million worldwide the first time around, the IT franchise should have no problem attracting talent for Chapter 2. They could headline the sequel with high-profile stars (like Chastain), or they could follow the first film's template and make it on the cheap(er), with a group of lesser-known actors that have incredible chemistry. The actual cast will probably be a mixture of the two options, and hopefully we'll start to get a sense of that sooner rather than later.
MORE: Flashbacks Are 'Very Big Part' of IT: Chapter Two
Source: Omega Underground
