I absolutely loved the original version of this TV movie when I was growing up. I liked the first half better than I liked the second half, but regardless it scarred the hell out of me and I couldn’t help but watch it over and over again on the VHS copy I made from the TV movie. I actually just picked up the flick on DVD. The book ‘IT’ which was published in 1986 was amazing as well! I didn’t read it until way down the road but the book was way more crazy, and way more intense, like all Stephen King books are.

The new ‘IT’ film is being developed by Lin Pictures and Vertigo Entertainment. This movie will be a fresh take adapted from Stephen Kings original novel and not the 90’s four hour TV horror fest.  Writing the script is a guy named Dave Kajganich who is also writing the upcoming ‘Pet Semetary’ remake… What! Yeah that’s gonna be a tough act to follow.

They were able to pack so much stuff from the book into the TV movie because they had four hours to work with. This remake is going to be a even more watered down version of the book, because now they only have two hours to work with. I have a feeling this next ‘IT’ film just wont be as fulfilling, especially without Tim Curry who played one of the scariest clowns ever.

Here is a detailed description of the book that contains Spoilers for those that have not seen the movie or read the book.

The novel is set in the fictional town of Derry, Maine, where a malevolent, shape-shifting, child-killing entity (referred to simply as “It”) lurks in the sewers and storm-drains. In 1958, preteen children Richie Tozier, Mike Hanlon, Beverly Marsh, Bill Denbrough, Eddie Kaspbrak, Ben Hanscom, and Stan Uris (who call themselves the Losers’ Club) each have horrifying encounters with the creature, which changes its appearance to take on the form of each child’s biggest fear (but its most prominent form is that of a sadistic, balloon-wielding clown called Pennywise). They are also being terrorized by three neighborhood bullies (Henry Bowers, Belch Huggins, Victor Criss and for awhile until he was killed by Pennywise, Patrick Hockstetter) which only strengthens their bond. The Losers decide to hunt down the creature and destroy it. They eventually track It down and in the ensuing enormous battle of wills (known as the Ritual of Chüd), hurt It badly. As they proceed to flee the lair of It, they realize the power they held as a group, a common purpose to defeat that which had not only hunted them but was the cause of so many other children to die, was weakening. As they grapple with their fear of being lost underneath the underground paths of Derry, Beverly comes up with an idea that would bind them together for the possible return of It. Under the protest of her male friends, she proceeds to have sexual intercourse with each of them as a way to strengthen the bond between them. Afterward, as they have made it outside, the Losers promise that if It ever comes back, they’ll confront It again. They seal this promise when Stan picks up an old Coca-Cola bottle, breaks it, and proceeds to make shallow cuts in the palms of each of the “Losers’”. They then hold hands in a circle and all swear they will return to Derry upon the return of It to again try to destroy it.

The narrative jumps forward to 1985, where murders are once again taking place in Derry. Mike Hanlon, the only one of the Losers who has remained in Derry, is convinced that the creature has returned and calls each of the Losers, reminding them of the promise they made as children. Each of the six other Losers have gone on to success and wealth, but had completely forgotten about their childhood trauma. They all return except for Stan Uris (who kills himself after receiving Mike’s phone call) and begin piecing together their hazy memories. They also each have encounters with It.

It decides to use Henry Bowers (who had followed the Losers and also encountered It in 1958), who is now committed to the Juniper Hill Asylum, to help kill the Losers. Bowers tracks them down and seriously hurts Mike. The five remaining friends then make their way into the sewers once again to confront and destroy the creature for the last time.