Yesterday, we reported that New Line Cinema has been meeting with several actors who have been testing for the iconic role of Pennywise the clown in their remake ofStephen King’sIT. One of the contenders mentioned wasKirk Acevedo(Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), but it wasn’t clear if he was a top contender, or how many other actors the studio was meeting with. Now we have word thatBill Skarsgard(Hemlock Grove) is in final negotiations for this coveted role
When the project was moving forward with directorCary Fukunagaat the helm,Will Poulter(The Maze Runner) was attached to playPennywise. However,The Hollywood Reporterreports that he was forced to drop out due to scheduling conflicts, after the search for a new director pushed the movie by a year, making the actor no longer available. The studio was reportedly torn over whether to go with a younger actor like 25-year-oldBill Skarsgardor an older actor likeKirk AcevedoorHugo Weaving, who the site reveals was also up for the role.
This report also reveals that other cast members includeJaeden Lieberher,Finn Wolfhard,Jack Dylan Grazer,Wyatt Oleff,Chosen JacobsandJeremy Ray Taylor, but no details were given for their roles.ITis based onStephen King’siconic book, which will be split into two movies. The story follows a group of seven children who were terrorized by the eponymous being that exploits the fears and phobias of its victims in order to disguise itself while hunting its prey. The first movie will focus on the children, with the second focusing on the same characters as adults, as they reunite to defeatITonce and for all.Gary Dobermanwrote the most recent draft of the script.
Andres Muschietti(Mama) is directing, replacing the departingCary Fukunagaback in July. We reported last May that the movie will be shot inNew York City, but another report from February revealed that the adaptation will beR-rated, with shooting now set to begin in California at some point later this year.Roy Leeis producing alongsideBarbara Muschietti,Dan Lin,David KatzenbergandSeth Grahame-Smith.
WhenBill Skarsgarddoes officially sign on, this will mark his biggest movie role to date. He has previously starred inSimon & the Oaks,Anna Karenina,VictoriaandThe Divergent Series: Allegiant. He will reprise his role as Matthew in theDivergentfranchise finaleThe Divergent Series: Ascendant, which hits theaters on June 13, 2025. He is best known for playing Roman Godfrey in Netflix’s horror seriesHemlock Grove.
