Interviews
We Saw the New Trailer and Three Chilling Clips from ‘IT: Chapter Two’ at ScareDiego! #SDCC
Outside the weird and wonderful world of San Diego Comic-Con is ScareDiego, the event that takes us inside the world of horror. Presented by Warner Bros and New Line, ScareDiego 2019 promised an exclusive first look at new footage for IT: Chapter Two and a panel discussion with the cast of the highly anticipated follow up to 2017’s IT. An unlikely host in Conan O’Brien (or perhaps not, as a self-confessed nerd) takes control of the horror night of nights, which aimed to get us hyped for what New Line has in store for the horror fans out there.
An ominous red and black theme fills the Spreckles theater, and a red balloon isn’t hard to find. IT: Chapter Two is New Line’s hero for 2019 and they are not afraid to show it.
First up – the new trailer. It’s incredible footage and a great insight into the terrifying end to the IT story. You’ll get to see it first thing Thursday morning, but I will say this – the last glimpse at Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise will chill you. To. The. Bone. It’s definitely the best trailer yet, so put on those headphones and immerse yourself into the world of Derry when it hits the internet.
The focus tonight is on the Losers’ Club as adults, with all 7 actors and director Andy Muschietti present to show off some footage of the upcoming flick, and chat about what went into making the movie.
Bill Hader (Richie Tozier), Jessica Chastain (Beverley Marsh), Isaiah Mustafa (Mike Hanlon), James McAvoy (Bill Denbrough), James Ransone (Eddie Kaspbrak), Jay Ryan (Ben Hanscom) and Andy Bean (Stanley Uris) all bear a striking resemblance to their younger counterparts, and if you had any doubts about any of the actors cast, I can promise you that those worries will soon be washed away in a tidal wave of blood – Muschietti has made incredible choices.
Muschietti notes to Conan that the kids were all cast first, and during first production played with names for the adults.
Bill Hader, a well known comic actor, notes he had to find the ability to act scared without looking comical, which has the audience in stitches. On set, he entertained himself imitating Andy – and all the other cast for that matter. He notes that working with Skarsgard was one of the best acting experiences ever.
Jessica Chastain, who is looking absolutely stunning in a skirt that prevents her from taking a seat, relays her love of horror films. During filming, she got to be covered in blood, which she likens to the amount of blood seen in Carrie. And on the topic of horror films, Jay Ryan shares anecdotes of being brought up on horror, with Friday Fright Nights being a tradition in his family.
Of course, we’re all wondering how much training you need to do to run away from a clown, in which Isaiah Mustafa confirms he, as an athlete, knows how to train effectively for such a scenario. Not one to make statements without sufficient evidence, he shows us some moves on how he warmed up. Unfortunately for James McAvoy, the physical elements resulted in some injuries, developing tendinitis that lasted for 6 months following. It might just me, but I tend to forget he’s Scottish, until the strong accent comes out.
All cast declare themselves as Stephen King fans, with James Ransone reading “IT” after the miniseries. Hader declares his love for “Salem’s Lot” to the audience’s delight, and Andy Bean has the opinion that “The Shining” should never be remade again – an interesting opinion given King’s own dislike of the film.
They all found Bill Skarsgard quite terrifying and a fantastic actor that could transition from being such a nice guy to a horror icon perfectly. It’s quite comical to think of all the traits that Skarsgard can bring out to completely embody a terrifying and murderous clown, but in Hader’s words – “he was born to play Pennywise.”
They also played a second clip – the Losers’ are reuniting after 27 years. Six of the losers, sans Stanley, meet at the Jade of the Orient restaurant. While we’ve been sworn to secrecy of what’s within the scenes shown tonight, I can promise you that this scene really highlights each of the character’s unique traits, and cements the fact that Muschietti has chosen the most incredible cast. As the Losers’ Club reunite over plenty of alcohol, the terrors of Derry start coming back to them all and they start questioning why they came back after all these years.
A third clip takes place in a funhouse during the Derry festival. Bill (McAvoy) is trying to save a kid who used to live in his house from Pennywise. “Fun” in this case is being used purely in an ironic sense of course, as we – the audience – most likely all have shivers down our respective spines. We got a way better look at the terror of Pennywise here, as he hunts the young boy. Clown phobics and claustrophobics beware! Ultimately it’s a really a clever homage to the guilt that Bill continues to feel for the death of his brother Georgie.
Finally, a fourth(!) and final clip sees the adults return to the terrors that lie within the Neibolt House to, in Ritchie’s words, “kill this fucking clown”. Fans will know the significance of the house, and the fact that it’s only the children of Derry that can see it. Which is why, as adults, it’s so poignant that the Losers’ Club can still locate it after all these years. This is the beginning of the climax of the film, for the Losers’ Club to face Pennywise and hopefully end his reign of terror.
All in all, IT: Chapter Two promises to be a thrilling and exciting closing to the story, with Muschietti delivering some insane new terrors, fabulous new actors and an incredible horror film to end Pennywise’s narrative.
IT: Chapter Two comes up from the sewers September 6th.
Interviews
‘Widow’s Bay’ Star Kate O’Flynn on Patricia’s Triumphant Final Girl Transformation
As the inaugural season of Apple TV+’s stellar new series “Widow’s Bay” barrels toward its finale in two weeks, the latest episode gives Kate O’Flynn the spotlight as her character revisits her trauma with the Boogeyman.
“Your Baggage“, directed by Andrew DeYoung (Friendship), sees O’Flynn’s scene-stealing Patricia once again renew her fight with the Michael Myers-like stalker that slaughtered her peers during her adolescence. Thrillingly, it makes for one extended chase sequence that sees Patricia trying to warn others, while evading the undead killer.
In short, this episode’s incredible riff on Halloween and the slasher subgenre transformed Patricia into a fierce Final Girl.
“Well, that felt like a bucket list that I didn’t know was on my bucket list until I did it, but when I did it, I just lapped up every minute,” O’Flynn tells Bloody Disgusting of her triumphant turn this episode. “It felt fantastic for her to get that moment where she is becoming a badass. That was amazing.”
The actress turned to a few notable references for her performance. “Horror-wise, I go back to my youth, which was referenced in some of the episodes: Wicker Man, Carrie, and Rosemary’s Baby, that sort of thing is my kind of vibe.”
O’Flynn also notes how the series’ unique tone allows for so much creative freedom to make bold swings. “There’s something very freeing about it. Every moment is up for grabs, so it’s like we don’t have to totally land in one direction or another. It keeps it alive.“
Patricia is the eccentric assistant to Matthew Rhys‘ Mayor Tom Loftis, who’s at the forefront of trying to solve the island’s pesky curse predicament. Rhys felt the same about “Widow’s Bay” and its rare ability to make you laugh and scream in equal measure, stemming from series creator Katie Dippold.
“The mandate was, ‘It’s a real world with real people. You play for real.’ There’s no playing for comedy or horror,” Rhys echoes O’Flynn’s sentiments on how freeing the series’ tone has been.
New episodes will release every Wednesday through June 17 only on Apple TV+.

Kate O’Flynn in “Widow’s Bay,” now streaming on Apple TV.



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