IT remake R-Rated, set in the 1980s

The best idea I heard for adapting Stephen King's 1,000 plus novel IT, was splitting the duel storyline into two separate movies. The first set in the 1980s and focusing on the kids trouble with Pennywise the evil clown, then a few years later releasing a sequel which deals with the modern day psychological horror with those kids now as adults. The first one would be more of a straight out horror film, the second more psychological thriller-esque and with tons of depth. This would also allow the studio to easily make two movies (more profit if made right) and wouldn't piss of the King fans who want to see everything from the novel make it to the screen. Otherwise I just can't see how else King's epic novel could work on film without being butchered completely. They couldn't manage it with three hours of t.v. time where the adult part of the novel is a little lightweight, so as a 2 hour studio release, it would take a brave writer to take a crack at it. Speaking to Dread Central, screenwriter Dave Kajganich(The Invasion) said Warner Bros. are adamant about going the one movie route, but it won't stop him at least trying to be as faithful as he can...

...WB wants to do this as a single film, so I will have to kill a few darlings to make that happen. You have my promise, though, that I will do this with the utmost humility and respect for King's work. He's the King, after all, and I intend to continue to pledge to him my allegiance. "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," says Kajganich.

But encouragingly he has earned an R-rating...

"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."

I find it interesting that this movie is being made at the same time as A Nightmare on Elm Street (though don't be fooled, this movie is nowhere near close to filming just yet) as both stories kind of exist in the same world. Both terrified me when growing up but seeing them on the big screen, with nothing held back (as both productions have claimed) will be a joy to watch. Let's hope both films aren't just talk.