IT, by all accounts, looks on track to be one of the biggest hits of the year as it aims to smash box office records for September/horror movies/R-rated movies/etc., and now unsurprisingly New Line Cinema is putting the heat onIT 2. Indeed a sequel was always planned, going back to whenCary Fukunagawas set to write and direct theStephen Kingadaptation. Fukunaga split King’s book into two parts—one focusing on the characters as children, and one taking place 27 years later with new actors cast as the adult versions—so even whenAndy Muschiettitook over as director, this split was still a major part of the plan.
And now, perTHR, New Line has just closed a deal for co-writerGary Dauberman(Annabelle,Annabelle: Creation) to return and write the sequel. The script forITis credited to Dauberman and Fukunaga &Chase Palmer, as Dauberman signed on to retool the screenplay when Muschietti came aboard as the new director. But the entire creative team isn’t yet set, at least formally, even though Muschietti has publicly expressed his desire to return and complete the adaptation by directingIT: Part Two.
A deal for Muschietti to return to direct isn’t finalized, although it’s probably an inevitability at this point.ITscored rave reviews and interest is crazy high, so New Line no doubt would want to maintain that successful creative vision for the sequel. Muschietti had been in the running to take over as director on Warner Bros.’Justice League Dark, but once the studios saw howITwas shaping up, he turned his focus toIT: Part Twoin favor of jumping ship for a superhero movie that WB wants to get off the ground sooner rather than later.
THR says a 2019 release date is likely forIT 2, but new deals may have to be secured for the young actors of the first film to return. While Dauberman’s script isn’t complete, sources tell THR that the sequel may include flashbacks to the characters as children, which may constitute new scenes being filmed with these young actors. One thing’s for sure: withITscoring such acclaim, it’s not gonna be tough for the studio to find talented adult performers to sign on for the sequel.
So start those dream castings now and peruse our recentITcoverage in the links below. The film opens in theaters Friday, September 8th.
