MAMA helmer Andy Muschietti's remake of Stephen King's IT is set to film in Toronto nearly all summer long. However, we recently learned that the originally cast Will Poulter would no longer be playing Pennywise. With the production date impending, a decision needed to be made, and fast.
Well, they didn't mess around. Pennywise has been recast, with producers in final negotiations to nab Hemlock Grove star Bill Skarsgard. Son of Stellan Skarsgard (THOR, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO) and brother of Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood), performing is in his veins, although his youth makes him an intriguing choice.
Skarsgard, 25, is hardly older than the kids themselves. Maybe what Muschietti is going for is more of a peer rapport than the original Pennywise's (Tim Curry) authoritative menace.
King's novel centered on
seven children known as The Losers Club who come face to face with life problems, bullies and a monster that takes the shape of a clown called Pennywise.
The plan is for this cinematic adaptation to be a two-parter; the first film focusing on the characters as children and the second showing their rematch with Pennywise as adults.
The current release date is set for September 18, 2017.