"IT" to get the Big Screen treatment! [Archive] - Movie Fan Central Discussion Forums

FireCaptain4

03-12-2009, 08:35 PM

Finally, a remake that could use it. I've loved the book since I first read it at age 15. While the mini-series was "'aight," it was only about a twentieth as good as it should have been, given the awesome source material. I can't tell you how jazzed I am for this! Read on for more details:

Warner Bros. is bringing Stephen King's landmark horror novel It to the big screen in an adaptation being produced by Lin Pictures and Vertigo Entertainment. Dave Kajganich (The Invasion) has been hired pen the script, which follows a group of kids called the Losers Club that encounter a creature called It, which preys on children and whose favorite form is that of a sadistic clown called Pennywise. When the creature resurfaces, the kids are called upon to regroup again, this time as adults, even though they have no memory of the first battle. The novel is set in 1958 and 1985, though the feature version will be set in the present day. "It" was the best-selling book of 1986 and in 1990 was turned into an ABC miniseries that starred John Ritter, Harry Anderson, Tim Reid, Annette O'Toole and Richard Thomas. Tim Curry played Pennywise.

Source: http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/15570

The only sad thing here is that Tim Curry most likely won't be Pennywise again. While the miniseries wasn't anything too special, Curry was perfect as the monster.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/384287506_d647c53116.jpg

Oops!

Mr.HyDe807

03-12-2009, 08:49 PM

FRANK DARABONT AS DIRECTOR!

Sorry for the exclamation, I would be ass in seat if that was the case, but probably wont be.

Bourne101

03-12-2009, 08:51 PM

FRANK DARABONT AS DIRECTOR!

Sorry for the exclamation, I would be ass in seat if that was the case, but probably wont be.

Yeah. If he directed it I would be excited. Otherwise, this is a bad idea. The original (or miniseries) is fucking awesome and creepy and Tim Curry was awesome as Pennywise.

FireCaptain4

03-12-2009, 08:56 PM

FRANK DARABONT AS DIRECTOR!

Sorry for the exclamation, I would be ass in seat if that was the case, but probably wont be.

Couldn't agree more. Darabont and King are like Peanut Butter and Jelly.

Weapon X

03-12-2009, 11:09 PM

This will be an instant failure if they don't get Tim Curry back as Pennywise.

Just sayin'.

ScaryFreak1827

03-12-2009, 11:26 PM

I can't picture anyone else but Tim Curry in the role as Pennywise (however I did say the same thing about Jack Nicholson as the Joker and... well... you all know what happened.)

I'm still excited for this news and I'm betting this film will be darker and bloodier than the 1990 film version (which remains one of my favorite horror films.) It should be great to see a new cast though and parts of the book that weren't in the first film; although the child orgy we could do without:eek:

syxxpac

03-12-2009, 11:32 PM

If all the necessary pieces fall in the right places like they did with The Mist, including and especially the Frank Darabont treatment if at all possible, then we could be looking at not only the best Stephen King horror adaptation ever, but sort of the "Darabont Redemption" for material that got so pitifully shortshrifted back in 1990 with the moderately entertaining but wooooefully inadequate TV mini-series. The book deserved better, and I hope that it finally gets it this time.

But I'm not holding my breath.

adamjohnson

03-12-2009, 11:43 PM

Tim Curry made Pennywise scary.

Can anyone else?

Dr.Frankenstein

03-13-2009, 01:50 AM

Well, give it a go! I luv Stephen King's novels-most of the films aren't too bad-yea, try it as a feature film,might come off better than the mini series? which wasn't bad either.

LordSimen

03-13-2009, 02:20 AM

Awesome. Can't wait to see what they do with it. :D

JJFlamingo

03-13-2009, 03:33 AM

No Tim Curry, No Sale

SoCool

03-13-2009, 03:37 AM

I think this is great news. Sure, Tim Curry was fantastic as Pennywise, but you're kidding yourself if you think that another actor wouldn't be able to pull it off. Paul Giamatti as Pennywise FT ma'fucking W.

AspectRatio1986

03-13-2009, 06:50 AM

Tim Curry was amazing in this movie, he terrified most of my youth with this performance. I'm pretty eager to see how this works out.

Powerslave

03-13-2009, 08:27 AM

Sure, Tim Curry was fantastic as Pennywise, but you're kidding yourself if you think that another actor wouldn't be able to pull it off.
QFT. There's plenty of actors who could play the part.

The original miniseries is a complete fucking travesty, an absolutely terrible movie, made from one of my all time favorite books. If someone could pull off a good (dare I say great?) adaptation of this fantastic novel and actually do it justice, unlike the dogshit miniseries, then my prayers would be answered. That said, this probably won't be as good as I'd like it, especially with the horror movie climate the way it is today, but I'm still very excited.

poguesfan

03-13-2009, 10:10 AM

Yes, Tim Curry was creepy as Pennywise, but fuck that piece of shit made of television movie. It is hands down my favorite Stephen King novel, and any movie adaptation of this book, should follow the source material closely. This new remake should be dark, graphic, and viseral, just like the book. Also, Tim Curry is replacable, while his version of Pennywise was scary, he also played it more comical in some aspects as well, where in the book Bob Gray/Pennywise was fucking scary.

ToddRH

03-13-2009, 10:36 AM

Curry as Pennywise was in the min-series more than the book...not that was a bad thing. The series was fantastic and close to an actual full adaptation of a King book. A movie would be too difficult to pull off as there's less time to tell a big story. Perhaps they're contemplating a "Kill Bill"ish 2-parter...which would suck.

floydtheater07

03-13-2009, 10:51 AM

I am psyched about this news, for sure. "IT" is one of my three favorite novels of all time, and it deserves another adaptation. With that said, I may be about to commit blasphemy, but...

...not Tim Curry. Please, there was nothing remotely scary about his performance as Pennywise. It was just silly; I remember as kids, my sister and I would debate whether or not the miniseries was supposed to be scary or funny. Seriously...we didn't know if we were meant to laugh at his scenes, if that is what the director intended. And we were pretty young at the time.

Smiert Spionam

03-13-2009, 10:58 AM

chinton

03-13-2009, 12:06 PM

venom718

03-13-2009, 12:24 PM

i cant see who can be Pennywise in a remake.(photo shop skills any1??)
If they make this film true to the book it would be soooooo creepy.
And they need to make this a trilogy or atleast two parts cuz there is a lot of stuff in that book that needs to be put in the film.The 1st can be when they are kids and the 2nd film can be them coming back to the town grown up after "escaping" the town

BankaiZaraki

03-13-2009, 12:32 PM

I hated the film. The actors are shit, the director was shit..It was just a bad movie all around. The clown wasnt even fucking scary! Shouldve added a lil more scars to the guy.

a7xfan

03-13-2009, 01:09 PM

i'm gunning for darabont too. this could be interesting

shawn-o

03-13-2009, 01:36 PM

The book is WAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY more fucked up then that miniseries. Tim Curry was good in the role, but you could compare his Pennywise to Jack Nicholson's Joker: good, but too comical and not completely faithful to the source material. A truer adaptation of It could, quite frankly, be one of the most disturbing things adapted to film....

spot on Mr.Spionam, plus all the Deadlights and The Turtle would be interesting to see on screen. If Tim Curry could come back, than would be great, i was very young when I saw the movie and he scared me. But who could be cast today?

poguesfan

03-13-2009, 01:45 PM

spot on Mr.Spionam, plus all the Deadlights and The Turtle would be interesting to see on screen. If Tim Curry could come back, than would be great, i was very young when I saw the movie and he scared me. But who could be cast today?

Spot on also good sir, they need to include the Turtle (that was IT natural enemy, also they have to include the house on Niebolt Street, that was one of the scariest parts of the book, were they see Pennywise as a werewolf.) Also, they need to develop Derry's town history and the events that lead to IT awakening every 27 years, be it the hate crime death of the homosexual dude, the explosion at the Ironworks, the disappearance of 300 settlers. Elaborate more on this.

shawn-o

03-13-2009, 01:50 PM

Spot on also good sir, they need to include the Turtle (that was IT natural enemy, also they have to include the house on Niebolt Street, that was on the scariest parts of the book, were they seen Pennywise as a werewolf.) Also, they need to develop Derry town history and the events that lead to IT awakening every 27 years, be it the hate crime death of the homosexual dude, the explosion at the Ironworks, the disappearance of 300 settlers. Elaborate more on this.

Yeah, Maybe they could do something like what Snyder did with Watchmen have like a historic timeline during the opening credits, or something like that.

And Viral Marketing could be used...that could be cool and creepy

FireCaptain4

03-13-2009, 02:07 PM

And Viral Marketing could be used...that could be cool and creepy

Exactly what I was thinking. Viral marketing for IT could be insane. There are plenty of mock articles and historical documents that could be put online. Like you said, lots of cool and creepy stuff could come from this.

KINDA SPOILERISH:
Does anyone remember if it was a meteor or a spacecraft that IT comes down to Earth on? I remember that scene/reveal in the book freaking the hell outta me, but I can't remember specifically. I actually think the book was a bit vague. That could make for a really small, but really awesome scene in the remake. I have no idea how they'd pull it off though.

floydtheater07

03-13-2009, 02:32 PM

Considering they can't fully adapt this in a two hour film I'm hoping they decide to concentrate on one element.

To me the most fascinating part of the book was the history of Derry and how IT may or may not have been behind some of its rather dark times in history.

Absofugginlutely. They briefly touched upon this idea in the miniseries, but it was a truly powerful part of the book. In fact, I was thinking that "IT" is one of those novels that deserves multiple adaptations since, as you said, you can't possibly fit all the material into one movie. Different adaptations could simply approach different aspects of the story. The miniseries did a a commendable job at capturing the pignancy of the novel. There was that elegiac sense of reunited friends and lost innocence that seemed to sustain it. This new version could be darker, and focus more on the historical scope of the story, incorporating the background of Derry.

Then, of course, there is the true essence of the monster itself, although that is so bizarre and hallucinogenic that it would be very difficult to adapt it to the screen.

Bourne101

03-13-2009, 03:43 PM

I've very quickly started to warm up to this idea. I do love the original mini-series (though I haven't watched it in a while), but it certainly doesn't do the novel justice. If this was properly adapted for the big screen, it could truly be something special. But I really can't see it being properly adapted without Darabont leading the way. I really can't think of anyone else who has a good chance of doing a great job.

MidnightAngel

03-13-2009, 04:34 PM

Frank Darabont directing a remake of IT? Hell yeah!

Shockwave

03-13-2009, 05:19 PM

This will be an instant failure if they don't get Tim Curry back as Pennywise.

Just sayin'.

One of my all time favorite monster/villains. Awesome acting job by Curry. I do agree that i hope he reprises his role.

My main worry is the length of the movie. I cannot see IT shot under 3 hours. Maybe 2:30. Maybe. Theres alot of ground to cover to do it right.

poopontheshoes7

03-13-2009, 05:32 PM

My favorite book of all time. This is wonderful news. The first half of the mini series was pretty good, but it fell apart completely in the second half.

And I hardly think Curry not returning is the deciding factor here. He was great in the role but hardly irreplaceable. So jumping the gun and say he's the only one that could do it is a tad silly imo.

fervors

03-14-2009, 08:14 AM

Willem Dafoe as Pennywise!

g1ng3rsnap9ed

03-14-2009, 08:24 AM

Are you kidding me? IT hardly compared to the novel, but in modern times things can only go down. Bratty, smart-mouth kids, Travis Barker as Pennywise, and penned by the scribe of the Invasion? I won't say that the original was perfect, but it holds a place in my heart and still holds up today.

What a shame. :(

poopontheshoes7

03-14-2009, 11:33 AM

shawn-o

03-14-2009, 01:27 PM

Exactly what I was thinking. Viral marketing for IT could be insane. There are plenty of mock articles and historical documents that could be put online. Like you said, lots of cool and creepy stuff could come from this.

KINDA SPOILERISH:
Does anyone remember if it was a meteor or a spacecraft that IT comes down to Earth on? I remember that scene/reveal in the book freaking the hell outta me, but I can't remember specifically. I actually think the book was a bit vague. That could make for a really small, but really awesome scene in the remake. I have no idea how they'd pull it off though.

it was a meteor

Jon Lyrik

03-14-2009, 09:29 PM

The Invasion?

Sigh. It'll probably be an hour too short, too.

The Young Son

03-15-2009, 07:26 AM

I have a mixture of feelings on this. IT is my favourite King novel and by far his best work. While I would relish the idea of a silver-screen adaptation, I am worried that it would not be done justice. The mini-series did not really do it for me. There is a lot of ground to cover for a movie version and it seems impossible to cut out many of the elements involving the protagonists both when they are kids and when they adults.

I agree with previous posters in that I would like to see more of the background of Derry and its obscure relationship to IT being focused on. But also one of the best elements from the book is the entire Ritual of Chud chapter. The Turtle, the Deadlights, all of it made for extremely compelling fiction and had me glued all the way to the finish.

I disagree that no one other than Tim Curry could pull of Pennywise. While I enjoyed his take on him, it isn't beyond the scope of another actor to bring a more sinister side to the role. I'd love to see a Heath Ledger IT to a Jack Nicholson IT. You understand my meaning.

Anyway, as long as they give a decent running time and a good director, I'll get in line. But this story does not deserve another shithouse translation.

shawn-o

03-15-2009, 11:07 AM

yeah, when i first saw this thread i thought too myself...too bad Heath Ledger isnt still alive...

Rest in peace

Beard_of_Meat

03-16-2009, 03:31 PM

I am really looking forward to this....I really hope that Frank Darabont takes the helm though it doesn't seem likely...Maybe instead he can take on getting The Stand on the big screen instead

Venus Venusia

03-16-2009, 04:59 PM

Pennywise was my childhood nightmare. Even just seeing pictures of Tim Curry dressed up as him would make me scream. My fear of clowns was so bad that as a teenager, my step-father bought me a clown porcelain doll as a joke. I was ALWAYS getting teased about it! It took me years before I could watch IT again, but now I kind of just laugh at it.

Tim Curry was absolutely frightening, but I really don't see him returning for the remake. Maybe an unknown actor would be best. Someone even mentioned Paul Giamatti, and you know what? I can see it! I think the remake could work if most of the film's focus is on the kids. I find the second part of the miniseries to be just plain boring.

adamjohnson

03-16-2009, 05:09 PM

Tim Currys lips move as if independent from his body.

shawn-o

03-16-2009, 10:22 PM

The only thing that scared me about the 1990 tv film was at the very beginning of the first half when the little girl is coming in from the storm, and she hears laughter from behind hanging cloths. Then we see Pennywise smiling. The girl begins to smile then Pennywise makes a disturbing angry face...god, worst part of the movie, i always fast forward past it

venom718

03-17-2009, 08:46 AM

The mini series was scary as hell as a kid,but i watch it now and it isnt all that scary.pennywise is the best thing about the movie.The 1st part(with them as kids) si the best part.they kinda fell off when it came to them being older.I think Tim curry would even be scarier now just cause him looking older could add a creepy look to pennywise.This movie MUST focus on the town.The people of the town know there is evil in the town..but they wont speak of it.they ignore it cuz its terrified.that needs to be focused on in the film.I was horrified of clowns till i was 15 cuz of this movie but now that i see it much can be improved..i read the book and i was blown away at how much better the minseires could have bin.I say this film should be a 3part deal cuz so much makes up the novel and so much is important.

FireCaptain4

04-06-2009, 08:39 AM

Source: http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/31149/exclusive-more-it-remake-rated-r

Dave Kajganich, writer of the upcoming remake, had this to say to Dread Central in a recent interview:
"The remake will be set in the mid-1980s and in the present almost equally -- mirroring the twenty-odd-year gap King uses in the book -- and with a *great* deal of care and attention paid to the backstories of all the characters...

I think the real twist here is that my pitch to WB -- which they've assured me they're on board for -- is that this will not be PG-13. This will be R. Which means we can really honor the book and engage with the traumas (both the paranormal ones and those they deal with at home and school) that these character endure."

ScaryFreak1827

04-06-2009, 01:14 PM

^^That is great great news! I was worried it be a watered down PG-13 version of the book but hearing that it's getting an R-rating makes me :D.

floydtheater07

04-06-2009, 05:37 PM

Source: http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/31149/exclusive-more-it-remake-rated-r

Dave Kajganich, writer of the upcoming remake, had this to say to Dread Central in a recent interview:

SWEET!

Mr. Fred Krueger

04-06-2009, 06:08 PM

Great about the rating, but I still hope that they can make the movie long enough to encompass most of the novel (or at least nod to it). Also, the timeline worries me. The great thing about the book is the fact that it takes place in the 50s and 80s. In fact, most of the kids' fears stemmed from the films they were growing up with and watching (The Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoon, I Was a Teenage Werewolf); what would be the fears if the kids were growing up in the 80s? Freddy Krueger, Jason?

Meh, that just rubs wrong with me. They could at least compromise and have the kids growing up in the mid 60s instead of the late 50s. That would keep the adults at a reasonable age come It's return.

xenulevey

04-07-2009, 07:59 AM

The mini-series was good...if one examines it independently of the novel. "It" was really a masterful coming of age story contorted by King's uncanny ability to turn the ordinary into something grotesque: everyone recognizes the unsettling concept behind a clown, but very few people could develop or channel that recognition into something as coherent as Pennywise.
I really think that a rated-R remake, incorporating more of the novel could be something great. The destruction of Derry could make for a really awesome scene.

floydtheater07

04-07-2009, 10:42 AM

XCoRyX

04-07-2009, 01:40 PM

The 1st half of the original is beyond classic,but the latter half beyond shitty,more-so when compared. They could definetly use the improvement on that end atleast.

Going to be hard to replace Curry though.

John Galt

04-07-2009, 02:00 PM

I remember the most frightening part of the book for me was when IT becomes a giant bird and chases the black kid into a giant pipe and only ITs head could fit inside it so you had this huge beak trying to devour this tiny kid. *shivers*
Be great to see this on film with an R-rating.

Agreed on the timelines though. Ya GOTTA go with the 50's and 80's!

nickula11

04-15-2009, 05:05 AM

Reckon everyone will want Jackie Earle Haley to play Pennywise?
I love the tv movie, I have it on dvd and im glad because I ran my tape to death when I was a kid, good thing the dvd is sturdier.
Tim Curry could totally play him again, you can't tell age in the clown make-up.
Who else would you cast the other characters with?
Director?

N x