Oh, snap! What a delightful piece of casting news. As we learned earlier today,IT: Chapter 2isrolling into production this summer, and as expected, the casting is rolling in quick.THRreports thatX-MenstarJames McAvoyandSNLvetBill Haderare in talks to join the film.
Hader has been a fan-casting favorite for the part as adult Richie Tozier since audiences sawFinn Wolfhard’s portrayal in the first film, and guess what, not everything is terrible, sometimes dreams come true, and Hader might just end up in the role. That excellent news is matched by the unexpected but equally welcome word that McAvoy is in negotiations to play the adult Bill Denbrough.Jaeden Lieberherplayed the character in the first film as the young, stuttering leader of the Losers who discovers the ancient evil in Derry, Maine while hunting for his missing brother.
If the deals close, McAvoy and Hader would joinJessica Chastain, who is on board to play Beverly Marsh, originated in the first film by scene-stealerSophia Lillis.It: Chapter 2will reunite Chastain with directorAndy Muschiettiand producerBarbara Muschietti, who previously worked with the Oscar-nominated actress on the 2013 ghost storyMama. Hader, McAvoy and Chastain all previously worked together onThe Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby. In addition to the adult cast, the young actors from the first film are expected to reprise their roles for flashbacks alongsideBill Skarsgårdas Pennywise the Clown.
The sequel will pick up with the Losers 27 years after the events of the first film, when the memories of their traumatic summer start returning and they’re forced to head back to Derry to do battle with evil once again. ScreenwriterGary Dauberman, the New Line favorite who reworkedCary FukunagaandChase Palmer’s original script forChapter 1, is returning to write the script. ProducersDan LinandRoy Leeand executive producersSeth Grahame-SmithandDavid Katzenbergare also returning.
Chapter 2is scheduled to head into production this July before arriving in theaters on July 26, 2025.
