Movies
Documentary ‘Pennywise: The Story of IT’ is Complete and Headed to the Sitges and FrightFest Film Festivals
In the Fall of 1990, 27 years(!) before his arrival on the big screen, Pennywise was unleashed on television audiences with a mini-series adaptation of Stephen King’s IT, and the upcoming documentary Pennywise: The Story of IT will be diving deep into the sewers of Derry to tell the true stories behind the clown that terrified a generation.
The upcoming documentary has been in the works for several years now, and today we’ve learned that it’s finally complete and set to premiere at two upcoming film festivals!
First up, Pennywise: The Story of IT will be World Premiering at The Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia on October 15, news first reported by Variety.
The documentary will then be making its way to Arrow Video Fright Fest in the United Kingdom, set to premiere on Saturday, October 30, just one day before Halloween.
With over 50 interviews with cast & crew and over 700 never-before-seen photos from the production, the doc from John Campopiano and Chris Griffiths aims to “tell a story heard by few and showcase a wealth of behind-the-scenes footage and photos seen by even fewer.”
From exploring the historical and cultural phenomenon of coulrophobia (the fear of clowns) to Tim Curry’s magical portrayal of Pennywise the Clown to the impact Vancouver (aka “Hollywood North”) had on the 1990 made-for-TV miniseries, The Story of IT will dig deeper into the Pennywise phenomenon than anything ever has before.
Campopiano said in a new statement shared with Bloody Disgusting, “We live in an era where adaptations of Stephen King’s work have never been more prolific and culturally relevant. From the hugely successful 2017 and 2019 theatrical remakes of IT and PET SEMATARY, the widely lauded sequel to THE SHINING, DOCTOR SLEEP, TV series CASTLE ROCK, and the upcoming theatrical remake of his 1979 TV miniseries, SALEMS LOT – this documentary is arriving at precisely the ideal moment.”
Produced Gary Smart added, “This film project has been a remarkable journey and I’m just so pleased that Tim Curry joined us and graciously spent time sharing his thoughts and memories of his iconic role in this beloved miniseries.”
Pennywise: The Story of IT was written & produced by Campopiano and Smart.
Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day, Freaky) is staying busy here in 2024, directing not only the werewolf movie Big Bad but also an upcoming thriller titled Drop.
The project for Blumhouse and Platinum Dunes is being described as a “fast-paced thriller,” and Deadline reports today that Violett Beane (Truth or Dare) has joined the cast.
Newcomer Jacob Robinson has also signed on to star in the mysterious thriller. Previously announced, Meghann Fahy (“White Lotus”) will be leading the cast.
Landon recently teased on Twitter, “This is my love letter to DePalma.”
Jillian Jacobs and Chris Roach wrote the script.
Michael Bay, Jason Blum, Brad Fuller and Cameron Fuller — “who brought the script in to Platinum Dunes” — are producing the upcoming Drop. Sam Lerner is an executive producer.
THR notes, “The film is a Platinum Dunes and Blumhouse production for Universal.”
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