By MICHAEL GINGOLD
With IT: CHAPTER 2 gearing up to start production this summer, another pair of actors seem set to play the adult versions of the kids seen in the smash-hit first film, returning to their hometown of Derry for another confrontation with evil clown Pennywise.
Variety reports that SPLIT’s James McAvoy (pictured) is in talks to play Bill, portrayed as a youth by Jaeden Lieberher in the original, while Bill Hader, as has been speculated, is in discussions for the older Richie, essayed by Finn Wolfhard in the previous film. Jessica Chastain is already set as Beverly, with Bill Skarsgard expected to reprise the Pennywise role. Also returning are director Andy Muschietti and screenwriter Gary Dauberman, adapting Stephen King’s novel; Warner Bros./New Line have set a September 6, 2019 release date for IT: CHAPTER 2.