‘It Chapter Two’ director explains why “essential” hate crime is included
While we know that IT: Chapter Two will have “detours and departures” from Stephen King’s original novel, it won’t completely disregard the book.
Now, we know the film will contain a controversial hate scene where a young gay man is the victim of a homophobic attack.
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While the 1990 miniseries about the story omitted the scene, the new film will keep it in. In the scene, Adrian Mellon is beaten by a group of teens. He is then thrown from a bridge into some water where Pennywise kills him.
Director Andy Muschietti told Entertainment Weekly about why he chose to include the scene while the miniseries kept it out.
“It was television and they didn’t have the possibility of making a Rated-R (movie) or anything,” he said. “But, in my vision of the movie, Adrian Mellon was always there. The impact of that event in my mind was always very deep. For me, there wasn’t a choice for that.”
King and Muschietti based what happens to the character, played by Xavier Dolan, on real-life events that occurred to Charlie Howard. Howard was assaulted and murdered in the ‘80s for being gay by a group of young people yelling homophobic slurs. The group threw him over a bridge and he died because he couldn’t swim.
“It’s one of the things that really caused a deep impact on Stephen King when he was writing It. So, he decided to include it,” Muschietti said of the event. “Of course, the names are changed, but the beating happened almost exactly like it’s described in the book, and Charlie died in three feet of water in the canal.”
While Muschietti kept the scene mostly true to the novel, he did make a nod to Howard and changed the character a bit.
“(Howard) was asthmatic, so that made things really worse,” Muschietti said. “The thing I’m adding in the scene is that Adrian is asthmatic, as well. For me, it was always an essential part of the story.”
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Last week, the film dropped a new teaser for the film with a whole lot of bloody and Pennywise.
“But sometimes, what we try to leave in the past won’t stay there,” the voice says in the teaser, obviously referring to Pennywise tormenting the Losers’ Club more than two-decades after the first film.
We’ve known for awhile that the film is going to be gory. It apparently has a scene that contains the “most blood that’s been in a horror scene.” We know it probably involves Jessica Chastain since she was the one who teased it, so it seems like this teaser might give us another glimpse at that.
It: Chapter Two hits theaters on September 6. Check out the new teaser below as well as the final full-length trailer.
More IT: Chapter Two news
IT: Chapter Two is gearing up to hit theaters, but critics that already saw the film have some mixed reactions.
The first film was a huge success, becoming the highest-grossing horror movie of all time. Therefore, people have big expectations for the sequel.
Now, critics who have already seen the movie are officially allowed to tweet about it and boy have they. There were quite a lot of mixed reactions, with some people loving the film while others were calling it a “disappointment”. See what they had to say below.
It: Chapter Two is the biggest disappointment of the year. A dull & bloated mess that spends too much time rehashing things from the first film. While there are a few good moments, the film ultimately lacks suspense and scares. The performances are also a mixed bag. #ITChapterTwo pic.twitter.com/3NlauZxj2f
— Scott Menzel (@TheOtherScottM) August 21, 2019
#ITChapter2 has a rushed, clumsy first act & an odd lack of chemistry among the adult Losers. But it eventually finds its footing. This is a BIG movie—a go for broke horror blockbuster not afraid to make weird choices. Bill Hader steals the show. #ITMovie #ITChapterTwo pic.twitter.com/cib2slRfoq
— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) August 21, 2019
It’s also very much a “part 2”, as in it doesn’t stand on its own at all. In fact, the ideal way to view this would be back to back with the first film.
— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) August 21, 2019
Several issues aside, this is one of the rare Stephen King adaptations that actually understands King’s voice and successfully translates it to the screen. It captures that unapologetic earnestness mixed with a kind of aw-shucks corniness that King does so well.
— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) August 21, 2019
Is it scary? Not really. In fact, it seems more content to go for humor rather than horror. But there are a handful of genuinely nasty moments that you don’t usually get in big studio horror flicks.
— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) August 21, 2019
#ITChapterTwo is big and ambitious and can’t *quite* handle the weight of its aspirations, but it’s still a fine piece of heartfelt horror. The parts that work, work REALLY well and Bill Hader is every-bit the scene-stealing standout we all hoped he’d be.
— Haleigh Foutch (@HaleighFoutch) August 21, 2019
#ITChapterTwo is a terrific companion to #ITChapterOne. Similar vibes, great ensemble chemistry w/ a nice mix of humor and horror. Part 2 plays heavier in tone, dealing w/ defeating the burden of childhood trauma, & I definitely teared up at the very end. Bill Hader steals it pic.twitter.com/bjiwtJufNQ
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) August 21, 2019
For the most part I liked IT CHAPTER TWO. First half (of this pretty long movie!) is great. And the new adult cast is stellar. Second half isn’t as tight. And overall Chapter Two isn’t as tight as the first movie.
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) August 21, 2019
So #ITChapterTwo was pretty damn great & the ending left me in tears. There are some excellent set pieces (finale had me holding my breath at times) that got under my skin & I think the adult Losers are awesome. Relies a bit too much on flashbacks tho but fans should be happy.? pic.twitter.com/UKDf0frOTg
— Heather Wixson (@thehorrorchick) August 21, 2019
#ItChapterTwo has some excellent set pieces and a few great performances, but it’s also got big problems. It’s very contrived, the jokes get in the way of the scares and it relies too heavily on flashbacks about the kid Losers instead of developing the adult versions. pic.twitter.com/SwixiPU2De
— William Bibbiani (@WilliamBibbiani) August 21, 2019
So, #ITChapterTwo: it’s v. good, but not great. I liked it, but didn’t LOVE it. First movie is a tough act to follow. TWO is gruesome, strange but rarely scary. Nails important aspects from the book, but feels overlong. Cast is aces, though, & Bill Hader SHOULD be in Oscar convo. pic.twitter.com/1KUZk5TXA1
— Sean O’Connell (@Sean_OConnell) August 21, 2019
So everything that’s awesome and imperfect in #ITChapterTwo comes straight from the novel. The horror in this one is way more brutal. A leaner adaptation would have solve the repetitive loop of the third act. Cast is great and the direction impressive. Very Good but not Great. pic.twitter.com/IHDntHprvQ
— Juan Upon A TIme in Hollywood (@juanmadpelicula) August 21, 2019
What do you think of the filmmakers choosing to include this scene from the book? Sound off in the comments down below!
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