The big-screen version of Stephen King's IT has found its clown, with Will Poulter set to step into Pennywise's oversized shoes. The We're The Millers star will take on the role, made famous by Tim Curry in the 1991 TV adaptation, in what is set to be a two-part film directed by True Detective helmer Cary Fukunaga. Although best known for his comedic roles, Poulter has shown a willingness to take on a diverse range of movies. He appeared in last year's The Maze Runner, and will also be in Oscar-winner Alejandro G. Innaritu's hotly-anticpated The Revenant, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy, so should be up for the challenge of portraying the rather terrifying jester. Variety reported that he was up against Ben Mandelsohn and Mark Rylance for the role, but that Fukunaga was "blown away" by Poulter's audition. The script, penned by Fukunaga and Chase Palmer, is said to stick fairly close to the source material, which sees a group of outcast kids come together over summer break to fight the monster thats terrorising their town, battling their own personal demons in the process. Part one is set to focus on the children, with part two showing them as adults, with Pouter appearing in both. Production is expected to start in June, with no release date scheduled as yet.
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
