What first sounded like fan speculation may actually come to fruition. Variety reports that Jessica Chastain is in talks to play the older version of Beverly in It: Chapter Two.
Image: Sony
Based on the book by Stephen King, the first It was a massive hit in 2017. It was directed by Andy Muschietti – whose debut feature, Mama, starred Chastain. So, almost immediately after the first film opened, she was named as the ideal person to play the adult version of the only girl in the Losers’ Club, Beverly. Fast forward to recent weeks and, according to the trade’s report, actual talks between Chastain and Warner Bros. have now begun.
Chastain not only shares the red hair with young Beverly actress Sophia Lillis, she brings with her a pair of Oscar nominations and the big-name recognition the first film lacked. If she really does sign on, all signs point to Chapter Two being a worthy follow-up to the first film.
It, which added the subtitle “Chapter One” at its conclusion, told the story of the young kids of Derry, Maine as they encounter the evil shapeshifter, Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård, who will return). Chapter Two, which already has a 6 September 2019 US release date, will pick up the story decades later as the kids, now grown up, have to defeat Pennywise again. That means they will all be recast for the majority of the film.
All that said, there are some caveats to remember. The script, written by Gary Dauberman, is still in the works – and apparently, Muschietti hasn’t even officially signed on yet. So all of this could come crumbling down. Let’s hope not.
[Variety]