News about an adaptation of a Stephen King book is (while interesting) not at all surprising. There are a number of films currently in various states of production based on the well-known horror writer’s work, including: The Stand, Cell, Pet Sematary, Gray Matter, Gerald’s Game, and Bad Little Kid – just to name a few. The news that It will be changing hands from Warner Bros. to New Line Cinema, isn’t really interesting for what is says about King or about adaptations, but what it says about the studios.
Remember, New Line is a subsidiary of Warner; so, the it’s not that the Brothers Warner didn’t want to make the film, they just didn’t want their name on it. According to an exclusive from The Hollywood Reporter,
“[the studios] are drawing clearer distinctions about the types of movies they make..New Line will now take the lead on horror, bringing the company back to one of its roots [i.e. the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise]”
So, is Warner trying to give New Line a more distinct identity, or are they thinking they’re above “that horror junk everyone seems to like these days” (their imaginary words, not ours). Regardless, by all accounts, It seems to be on track. As far as we know, Cary Fukunaga (Sin Nombre, TV’s True Detective) is still attached to direct. The film will be divided into two separate movies, which – unlike some novels that get this treatment – makes sense considering the book it’s based on is over a thousand pages long. The first time the book was adapted, it was made as a TV miniseries starring Tim Curry as the titular shape-changing creature.
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