James McAvoy Confirms IT: Chapter 2 Has Started Production

Screen Rant

By Cooper Hood

Published Jun 20, 2018

James McAvoy shares a picture from his first day on the set of IT: Chapter 2, confirming that the horror sequel has started production.

James McAvoy confirms production is underway on IT: Chapter 2. One of the biggest hits of 2017 also happened to be one of the bigger surprises at the box office. The big screen adaptation of Stephen King's IT crushed the box office upon its September release. The R-rated coming of age horror flick went on to gross over $700 million worldwide, giving New Line and Warner Bros. complete confidence in the sequel. Instead of focusing on the kids from the first film, an impressive cast has been assembled for the sequel.

The big get was the much requested casting of Jessica Chastain as the older Beverly, but her Dark Phoenix co-star James McAvoy also joined. He's playing the older Bill, previously portrayed by Jaeden Lieberher. The flurry of casting announcements over the last month came as the June start date approached.

McAvoy confirmed on Instagram that production is officially underway on IT: Chapter 2. To celebrate the occasion, McAvoy had some fun with puns at the expense of the Loser's Club's hometown of Derry, Maine. No other actors involved have teased their involvement with the start of production, but they'll likely report to set soon, if they aren't there already.

Although the Loser's Club was successful in IT in defeating Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard), they'll be brought back together in the sequel to once again try and stop him. IT: Chapter 2 will pick up 27 years after the first film, when Pennywise returns to Derry once again to kidnap and feast on the children that live there. It will be up to McAvoy's Bill and the rest of the gang to once again unite against the demonic clown.

As filming continues in Toronto throughout the summer, McAvoy will be joined by the rest of the cast. Chastain is another headliner, but so is Bill Hader as the older Richie Tozier. There's also Jay Ryan as Ben Hanscom, Isaiah Mustafa as Mike Hanlon, James Ransone as Eddie Kasbrak, and Andy Bean as Stanley Uris. These stars - along with the lovable group of kids from the first movie - give IT: Chapter 2 a cast that can rival just about any other film. With director Andy Muschietti also back, there's more talent now for him to guide and lift to great heights.

Hopefully it won't be too long before some official looks at McAvoy and company are released. Those who have read King's lengthy novel already are in the know as to where the plot could possibly go, but the question remains if Muschietti and screenwriter Gary Dauberman will add some twists to keep even the most die hard fans guessing. Either way, this is just the beginning for IT: Chapter 2.