Jessica Chastain close to inking ‘IT’ sequel deal

After much pleading from the internet as well as from IT director Andy Muschietti himself (he directed Chastain in the horror film Mama), Oscar and Golden Globe nominated actress Jessica Chastain is now officially in talks to join the sequel to the megablockbuster, playing Beverly as an adult in the continuing story of the Stephen King novel of the same name. Muschietti will return as director and Gary Dauberman will write the script. Chastain takes over the reigns for Sophia Lillis, who played young Beverly in the $700M worldwide hit.

The first part of IT followed a band of pre-teens in Maine who are terrorized by the clown Pennywise. The sequel, which covers the second half of the book, will focus on them as adults returning to their hometown to once again face Pennywise. Muschietti has said the first film’s young cast will possibly be featured in flashbacks.

The New Line Cinema sequel is set for September 9, 2019 with production to start this summer.

Chastain was most recently seen in Aaron Sorkin’s Oscar-nominated Molly’s Game for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. She’s also on board to co-star with Octavia Spencer in a heist comedy. Chastain used her position to get the studio (Universal) to pony up an equal salary for her Oscar-winning co-star.