A big-screen remake/re-adaptation of Stephen King’s It has been in the works for a long time now, with True Detective maestro Cary Fukunaga set to direct. Now it looks like he and New Line have found their all-important Pennywise the Clown.
Rising Brit actor and BAFTA Rising Star award winner Will Poulter is in talks with the studio to play the crucial role of Pennywise, the evil monster who lures children disguised as pretty much the most terrifying clown the silver screen has ever known. King’s mammoth book – considered by many to be his most frightening work – was famously adapted into a miniseries in the early ’90s starring Tim Curry as Pennywise (it will be hard to top his brilliant portrayal, that’s for sure) but never into a full size feature film.
That’s, of course, changing with this upcoming film which is planned to be split into two parts. The very talented Fukunaga (who, on top of the first season of True Detective, made the critically acclaimed Sin Nombre a few years back) has also written the screenplay alongside Chase Palmer.
As for the casting of Poulter, it’s a bold choice, that’s for sure. I don’t think he was on anyone’s radar, really, perhaps because of his age but also that – despite roles in films like We’re the Millers and The Maze Runner – he isn’t an established name quite yet. The studio had apparently considered older actors like Ben Mendelsohn and future BFG Mark Rylance but decided to go in a different, much younger direction. Fukunaga reportedly couldn’t say no to the young actor after giving a sensational audition. It may turn out to be a stroke of brilliance and Poulter puts in a performance to match that of Curry all those years ago.
What do you think of Poulter’s (potential) casting?
Source: Variety
He isn’t playing him 🙁