IT is returning to theaters in August, featuring previously unseen footage from its upcoming sequel IT: Chapter Two as a post-credits sequence. This re-release comes a little over a month before the sequel's release and, while it's certainly a smart marketing move for IT: Chapter Two to promise new footage not seen in any of its trailers, it could easily be seen as a method to add some more dollars to IT's already extremely impressive box office haul.
Releasing in 2017 and based on Stephen King's enduringly popular novel, director Andy Muschietti's partial adaptation of IT became an instant success among fans and critics alike, grossing $700 million worldwide and scoring an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. Without accounting for inflation, IT is the highest grossing R-rated movie of all time. While it's still unclear if IT: Chapter Two will reach those heights (or beyond), there's a lot of hype surrounding the sequel. From an A-list cast to a running time that's nearly three hours, the sequel is set to be one of the biggest horror films in recent memory.
Fandango announced on their Twitter that tickets are now available for IT's return to theaters in August, screening for two nights only at participating venues. The dates are August 3 and 6, and the re-release will include eight minutes of new footage from IT: Chapter Two as a post-credits scene. Check out Fandango's post below.
Getting a refresher on the events of IT, especially on the big screen, is already a good enough reason for a limited re-release, especially considering how popular the film was the first time around, but including eight whole minutes of new footage should be enough to drive the overly curious to theaters. While eight minutes also seems like a lot of the film to spoil ahead of time, with IT: Chapter Two running nearly 3 hours (at least for now), it's not exactly giving the whole film away. Plus, revealing so much footage to the public ahead of time potentially speaks to Warner Bros' faith in the film, which isn't surprising considering the positive reception from fans to the trailers released (the final trailer is nearing 17 million views and boasts over 300,000 likes).
Still, the promise of new footage might be enough to keep other fans away from the re-release of IT, especially those who want to go into IT: Chapter Two as unspoiled as possible. While it's easy to argue that the films are based on a novel that's over 30 years old, the films have changed or altered enough of the book's story (including one of its best scenes) to surprise even faithful King fans. Either way, IT: Chapter Two is set to finish up the story of Pennywise The Dancing Clown (Bill Skarsgård) and the Losers Club.
Source: Fandango/Twitter
