There is no shortage ofStephen Kingadaptations heading to both the big and small screen over the next couple of years, but a fan favorite is finally getting done. TheITremake has been in development hell for quite some time, but now with a director firmly in place and even a release date locked down, the project is moving forward and has started the casting process.Jaeden Lieberherhas been tapped to play one of the members of The Losers Club.
Lieberherhad a couple of breakout roles inSt. VincentalongsideBill Murrayand earlier this year in the indie sci-fi flickMidnight Special. He will be playing Bill Denbrough, the leader of the young friend group known asThe Losers Club. The role was originally played byJonathan Brandisin the TV mini series that up until now has been the only live action adaptation of the beloved novel.
This news comes on the heels of another huge announcement thatHemlock GrovestarBill Skarsgardwill be taking on the role ofPennywise the clown, who the main characters inIthave to fight as kids and later as adults. The Pennywise casting may come as a bit of surprise because not all that long agoWe’re The MillersstarWill Poulterwas announced to be taking on the role of the famous scary clown. That clearly didn’t pan out, as the current creative team seems to have a bit of a different take on the material.
Prior to the iteration of the project that is currently gearing up for production,True DetectivecreatorCary Fukunagawas tapped to direct the film, but he dropped out andMamahelmerAndres Muschiettistepped in.Muschiettithen conducted a rewrite of the script and it is very possible that this change in direction is what resulted isPoulterexiting the role.
New Line has said that they plan to makeItatwo-part movie, which makes total sense given the story. The first film will focus on the younger cast of actors thatLieberherwill be a part of and the second film will focus on the same group of people who are all grown up and have to team back up to fight Pennywise. Barbara Muschietti,Roy Lee,Dan Lin,David KatzenbergandSeth Grahame-Smithare on board to produce the film as well.
Though many people are familiar withItfrom the original TV mini-series from the 90s, which featuredTim Curryas Pennywise, this new film will actually be the first big screen adaptation ofKing’s book. As of right now there is no word on who else will be part of The Losers Club alongsideLieberheror who will be taking on the roles of the older versions of the characters, but we will surely find out soon since the film is heading into production.Itis currently slated for a July 13, 2025 release.
