It Chapter 2: Comparing the child and adult casts

Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

From Digital Spy

The cinematic remake of the first half of the Stephen King novel It was celebrated as "a horror triumph and the best King adaptation in years", and it's just joined the Netflix family, so get stuck in if you've not already.

It: Chapter Two dealt with the rest of the book and saw the kids' adult selves return home to face down the terror once again. But did they look anything like the child actors they replaced? Here's our take on those casting decisions...

1. Bill Denbrough

Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Actor Jaeden Martell played the leader of the self-titled Loser's Club, bringing Bill Denbrough to life in It. James McAvoy picked up the mantle in It: Chapter Two, transforming his natural Scottish lilt into a Derry accent. Lots of commentators had suggested Jake Gyllenhaal's face was the best fit for this role, but McAvoy is still a highly believable older version.

2. Eddie Kaspbrak

Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Jack Dylan Grazer (Shazam!) played the sickly child who finally stood up to his overbearing mother in the first film, and James Ransone took over where he left off.

Ransone (who played Michael O'Connor in the recent TV series Mosaic but is best known as Chester 'Ziggy' Sobotka in The Wire) doesn't quite have Grazer's chin but otherwise looks like the brave adult Kaspbrak will become. Just don't call him Eds.

3. Beverly Marsh

Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Since the movie version of It was first announced, the consensus has been that Jessica Chastain should play the older version of Beverly Marsh when it shifted forward in time.

Clearly not lost on director Muschietti, that groundswell was made flesh with Chastain one of the first of the new cast to be announced. Chastain needed to add a few freckles to totally match younger actress Sophia Lillis, but otherwise she's spot on.

4. Richie Tozier

Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Finn Wolfhard did an amazing job bringing the younger version of Richie "trashmouth" Tozier to life, and the casting news that got us excited for Chapter Two was that Bill Hader would be the one carrying on that legacy.

The Saturday Night Live regular and creator of the hitman comedy Barry added the same goofy antics and wide grin of his younger counterpart.

5. Stan Uris

Photo credit: Getty Images - Warner Bros.
Photo credit: Getty Images - Warner Bros.

Stan (Wyatt Oleff in the first film) was an important part of the Losers' Club, helping battle It in the sewers despite his fear.

Andy Bean also played an important part in bringing the terror of the Derry survivors to life again in the future.

6. Ben Hanscom

Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Physical appearance is less of an issue for the role of Ben – "I get all fit and stuff," noted young actor Jeremy Ray Taylor when talking about the older Hanscom.

Playing that slimmer, buffer role is a man Neighbours fans will be familiar with, as Jay Ryan headed to Derry as the older Ben.

7. Mike Hanlon

Photo credit: Warner Bros.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.

The older Mike was one of the last roles to be confirmed but as young actor Chosen Jacobs revealed, Shadowhunters star Isaiah Mustafa – aka Old Spice Guy – would play the adult version of his character in Chapter 2.

It's not quite Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman (who Chosen previously said he'd like to take on the role), but we still think Isaiah's casting works.


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