It came, it saw, and with a global total just shy of $700 million, it very much conquered.
Rubbing shoulders with Split and Jordan Peele’s ruddy brilliant Get Out, Andy Muschietti’s heartfelt horror helped make 2017 a banner year for the genre, though it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the Warner Bros. picture. Initially earmarked for the big-screen treatment all the way back in 2009, It endured a trying spell in development, during which time David Kajganich and Cary Fukunaga flirted with the possibility of directing.
Alas, those plans quickly unraveled, leaving Pennywise and the Losers Club in the capable hands of Muschietti who, along with his sister Barbara and producer Roy Lee, engineered an unforgettable and surprisingly funny horror flick masquerading as a coming-of-age drama. But it seems It could have been funnier still.
With a Blu-ray release slated for January 9th, the folks over at Blu-ray.com (via Bloody Disgusting) have uncovered the definitive list of deleted/extended scenes for New Line’s It. Up first, the extras:
Pennywise Lives (16:25) – a behind-the-scenes featurette about Pennywise, of course.
The Losers’ Club (15:42) – a featurette about the child actors in the movie.
Author of Fear (13:51) – an extended interview with Stephen King, who talks at length about writing the book. He mentions that Derry was based off a town in Maine called Bangor.
Unleashing Pennywise upon the hapless folks of Derry, Maine is merely the first chapter in a two-part story, as New Line and the Muschiettis are hard at work drafting It: Chapter Two. And yes, it’ll feature the infamous fire at the Black Spot.
However, closer to home, it looks like the It Blu-ray has been worth the wait, as many of the deleted/extended scenes bring us closer to the Losers Club – undoubtedly the beating heart of New Line’s adaptation.
“Georgie Catches Boat (Opening Gag Scene)”: When Georgie grabs for the boat in the opening…he gets it and walks away, saying “See you later!” to a frustrated Pennywise. Gotta admit, I laughed.
“Stanley’s Dad corrects him (Extended scene)”: Stanley is reciting Hebrew in a synagogue, but his Dad jumps in to correct his pronunciation.
“Denbrough family dinner”: Bill sits at the dinner table while his Dad reads a magazine and his Mum washes up. Bill starts talking about their family trip for the year, but his Mum walks off upset. His Dad explains that Georgie was really looking forward to it.
“Bill’s Dad looks in the basement, et al”: After Bill has his encounter with Pennywise in the basement, he runs into his father. His Dad has a look in the basement, doesn’t find anything, and tells Bill to go to bed. Meanwhile, Henry tries to sneak out past his Dad, and gets into a car with Victor and Belch. They see Mike ride past on his bike.
“Outside the Neibolt house”: Mike, Beverly, Ben and Stanley are outside the house while Bill, Eddie and Richie are inside. Stanley talks about not being able to go inside while Mike comforts him. Ben places his hand on Beverly’s shoulder.
The deleted scenes continue below:
“Evacuating the Neibolt house (Extended scene)”: Just an extended scene of the Losers’ Club leaving the house and getting on their bikes.
“Stanley’s Bar Mitzvah speech”: Self-explanatory. Stanley delivers a speech after his Bar Mitzvah about “indifference,” during which there’s a brief montage showing what the other kids are up to. He makes a bit of a scene and storms off while Richie claps.
“Eddie at Keene’s pharmacy (Extended scene)”: Just an extended scene at the pharmacy as Eddie talks to the girl who signs his cast with “Loser.”
“Henry and Bullies wait outside (Extended scene)”: As the Losers’ Club heads into the Neibolt house, Henry sits in his car with his face covered in blood. Belch and Victor are dead with throats slit.
“The Losers find Georgie’s walkie”: Bill picks up Georgie’s walkie right before Henry attacks Mike at the top of the well.
“Denbrough family vacation”: After saying goodbye to Beverly at the end of the movie, Bill and his parents are packing for the family vacation Bill was talking about in an earlier deleted scene. This subplot does kind of enhance the family dynamic. As the car drives away, the camera pulls in to the drain where Georgie was taken. Camera stops, and rain starts to hit the pavement. This would have been a perfect final shot.
It officially scurries out of the sewers and onto Blu-ray on January 9th, 2018, and you can place your pre-order on Amazon if you’re interested in picking it up. The follow-up, meanwhile, Chapter Two, will be with us in September of 2019.