It is one of the most successful horror franchises of recent years, based on the classic novel by Stephen King. The first two movies, It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019), followed the terrifying exploits of Pennywise, a shape-shifting clown that preys on the children of Derry, Maine, every 27 years. The movies also focused on the Losers Club, a group of friends who faced Pennywise as kids and as adults, and vowed to stop him once and for all.
But will there be an It Chapter 3? Is there more to the story of Pennywise and the Losers Club? And if so, when can we expect to see it on the big screen? Here’s everything we know so far about the possible third installment of the It saga.
It Chapter 3 Release Date: Is It Confirmed?
As of now, there is no official confirmation that It Chapter 3 is happening. The director of the first two movies, Andy Muschietti, has stated that he considers It Chapter Two to be the “conclusion of the story between the Losers versus Pennywise”. He also said that he followed the structure of King’s novel, which ends with the final showdown between the clown and the grown-up Losers.
However, Muschietti has also hinted that he is open to exploring more of the mythology and history of Pennywise, who has been around for millions of years and has been in contact with humans for hundreds of years. He said that there are “a few ideas floating around” for a potential third movie, but that it would be “something different” and “off book”.
Bill Skarsgård, who played Pennywise in the movies, has also expressed interest in reprising his role for a third movie. He said that he has talked to Muschietti about what a third movie could be, and that he thinks it would be a “cool idea” to change up some things and explore more of Pennywise’s origins.
So, while there is no official announcement or green light for It Chapter 3, there is some interest and possibility from the creative team behind the movies. However, it is likely that Warner Bros., the studio behind the franchise, will wait and see how the fans and critics react to the idea of a third movie before making any decision.
It Chapter 3 Release Date: When Could It Come Out?
Assuming that Warner Bros. decides to go ahead with It Chapter 3, and that Muschietti and Skarsgård are on board, when could we expect to see it in theaters? Well, based on the release dates of the previous movies, we can make some estimations.
It was released on September 8, 2017, and It Chapter Two was released on September 6, 2019. Both movies came out around the same time of year, which makes sense given their Halloween-friendly genre and theme. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that if there is an It Chapter 3, it would also come out in September.
However, considering that there is no script or production schedule for It Chapter 3 yet, it is unlikely that it would be ready by September 2021 or even September 2022. A more realistic timeframe would be September 2023 or later, depending on how long it takes to develop and film the movie.
Of course, this is all speculation and subject to change. There could be delays or complications due to various factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected many movie productions and releases. Alternatively, there could be a faster turnaround if Warner Bros. fast-tracks the project or if Muschietti already has a clear vision for what he wants to do.
It Chapter 3 Plot: What Could It Be About?
If there is an It Chapter 3, what could it be about? Well, as Muschietti and Skarsgård have suggested, it would not be a direct continuation of the story of the Losers Club and Pennywise. Instead, it would be something different and off book.
One possible direction for It Chapter 3 could be a prequel that explores more of Pennywise’s origins and history. In King’s novel, it is revealed that Pennywise is an ancient cosmic entity that came to Earth millions of years ago from another dimension called the Macroverse. He feeds on fear and prefers to take the form of a clown because he thinks it attracts children.
The novel also hints at some of Pennywise’s past encounters with humans throughout history. For example, he was responsible for several tragedies in Derry’s history, such as the disappearance of the settlers of Derry Township in 1740, the fire at the Black Spot nightclub in 1930, and the explosion at the Kitchener Ironworks in 1908. He also had a rivalry with a Native American shaman named Maturin, who helped the Losers Club defeat him.
A prequel movie could explore some of these events and show how Pennywise influenced and terrorized different generations of people in Derry and beyond. It could also delve deeper into his nature and motivations, and reveal more of his weaknesses and fears. It could also introduce new characters and stories that are not in the novel, but are inspired by King’s style and themes.
Another possible direction for It Chapter 3 could be a sequel that follows a new group of characters who have to face Pennywise in the present day or in the future. While It Chapter Two seemed to end with Pennywise’s death, it is possible that he could come back somehow, either because he was not truly killed or because he was resurrected by some other force.
A sequel movie could show how Pennywise adapts to the modern world and how he targets a new generation of people who have different fears and challenges than the Losers Club. It could also show how the Losers Club’s actions in the past have affected Derry and its inhabitants, and how they might be involved in the new conflict. It could also explore new aspects of Pennywise’s mythology and powers, and introduce new twists and surprises.
It Chapter 3 Cast: Who Could Be In It?
If there is an It Chapter 3, who could be in it? Well, that depends on what kind of movie it is. If it is a prequel, then it is unlikely that we would see any of the actors who played the Losers Club as kids or as adults, since their story is already over. However, we could see some of them in cameo appearances or flashbacks, if they are relevant to the plot.
The only actor who would definitely return for a prequel would be Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, since he is the main antagonist and the driving force of the franchise. Skarsgård has already expressed his interest in playing Pennywise again, and he has received critical acclaim for his performance as the creepy clown. He would also have the opportunity to show more of Pennywise’s range and personality, and to interact with different characters and scenarios.
The rest of the cast for a prequel would depend on what time period and setting it takes place in. For example, if it is set in the 18th century, then we would need actors who can play colonial settlers or Native Americans. If it is set in the 20th century, then we would need actors who can play soldiers, gangsters, or civil rights activists. If it is set in different eras, then we would need actors who can play multiple roles or different versions of the same character.
Some possible actors who could join Skarsgård for a prequel are:
- Daniel Radcliffe as a young soldier who encounters Pennywise during World War I
- Lupita Nyong’o as a singer who performs at the Black Spot nightclub and witnesses Pennywise’s attack
- Rami Malek as a journalist who investigates Pennywise’s involvement in Derry’s tragedies
- Jessica Chastain as a descendant of Beverly Marsh who inherits her psychic abilities and visions
- James McAvoy as a descendant of Bill Denbrough who becomes a successful horror writer
- Timothée Chalamet as a young Maturin who learns how to fight Pennywise with magic
If It Chapter 3 is a sequel, then we might see some of the actors who played the Losers Club as adults return for their roles, since they might be involved in the new conflict or help the new protagonists. However, this would depend on how much time has passed since It Chapter Two and what their characters are doing now.
Some possible actors who could join Skarsgård for a sequel are:
- James McAvoy as Bill Denbrough
- Jessica Chastain as Beverly Marsh
- Bill Hader as Richie Tozier
- Isaiah Mustafa as Mike Hanlon
- Jay Ryan as Ben Hanscom
- James Ransone as Eddie Kaspbrak
- Andy Bean as Stanley Uris
The rest of the cast for a sequel would depend on who are the new protagonists and what their backgrounds and personalities are. For example, they could be relatives or friends of the Losers Club, or they could be strangers who have their own reasons to confront Pennywise. They could also be from different age groups, ethnicities, genders, or sexual orientations.
Some possible actors who could play new protagonists for a sequel are:
- Millie Bobby Brown as a teenage girl who discovers Pennywise’s existence through social media
- John Boyega as a young cop who investigates Pennywise’s crimes in Derry
- Zendaya as a young actress who plays a role inspired by Pennywise in a movie
- Tom Holland as a young fan of Bill Denbrough’s books who uncovers Pennywise’s secrets
- Samuel L. Jackson as a veteran FBI agent who tracks down Pennywise across the country
- Emma Watson as a young teacher who helps her students escape from Pennywise’s traps
- Dwayne Johnson as a former member of the Losers Club who returns to Derry to face his fears
FAQs
Q: Is It Chapter 3 based on a book?
A: No, It Chapter 3 is not based on a book. It is an original story that is inspired by Stephen King’s novel It, but it is not a direct adaptation of any part of the novel. It is also not based on any of King’s other works or stories.
Q: Is Stephen King involved in It Chapter 3?
A: It is not clear if Stephen King is involved in It Chapter 3 or not. King has been supportive of the first two movies and has made cameo appearances in them. He has also praised Muschietti’s direction and Skarsgård’s performance as Pennywise. However, he has not confirmed or denied his involvement in a possible third movie. He might have some input or feedback on the script or the story, but he might also leave it to Muschietti and his team to create their own vision.
Q: How much will It Chapter 3 cost?
A: It is hard to estimate how much It Chapter 3 will cost, since there is no official budget or production details for it yet. However, based on the budgets of the previous movies, we can make some guesses. It had a budget of $35 million and grossed $701 million worldwide . It Chapter Two had a budget of $79 million and grossed $473 million worldwide . Therefore, it is likely that It Chapter 3 will have a similar or higher budget than It Chapter Two, depending on the scope and scale of the story and the effects. A possible range for It Chapter 3’s budget could be between $80 million and $100 million.
Q: How long will It Chapter 3 be?
A: It is hard to predict how long It Chapter 3 will be, since there is no official runtime or editing details for it yet. However, based on the runtimes of the previous movies, we can make some guesses. It had a runtime of 135 minutes . It Chapter Two had a runtime of 169 minutes . Therefore, it is likely that It Chapter 3 will have a similar or longer runtime than It Chapter Two, depending on the complexity and depth of the story and the characters. A possible range for It Chapter 3’s runtime could be between 170 minutes and 200 minutes.
Q: Will there be an extended cut or a director’s cut of It Chapter 3?
A: There is no official confirmation or denial that there will be an extended cut or a director’s cut of It Chapter 3. However, Muschietti has said that he has plans to release an extended cut or a director’s cut of both It and It Chapter Two, which would include deleted scenes and additional footage that were not in the theatrical versions . He has also said that he would like to combine both movies into one supercut that would follow the chronological order of King’s novel . Therefore, it is possible that he might do the same for It Chapter 3, if there is enough material and demand for it.