In this year’s GateSlashers podcast special, hosts Dan and Ethan discuss IT, the two-part film adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic horror novel. Dan gets his chance to talk all about the history of clowns and why clowns are so big in horror.
Released in 2017, IT Chapter One, directed by Andy Muschietti, adapted one half of King’s novel, focusing on a group of teen outcasts known as the Loser’s Club as they encounter a malevolent entity known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in their hometown of Derry, Maine.
IT Chapter Two, released in 2019, again directed by Muschietti, finds the Loser’s Club reuniting 27 years later to once again face-off with a returned Pennywise.
On the podcast, we discuss our love of these films, how they are a shining example of studio horror, and true fear brought on by Pennywise. We also dive into the perfect casting across the board, from the young Loser’s Club to their adult counterparts, and the sublimely terrifying performance by Bill Skarsgård as the titular IT, Pennywise. Ethan talks about how he has never actually met a clown while Dan shares a personal story about being a clown. If you are looking for more about Stephen King’s other works or the time that Dan and Jake fought Pennywise, check out GateSlashers past King special here!
Dan also talks about why Terrifier and Art the Clown isn’t featured in this episode as an entryway into clown horror. There is a lot of clowning around in this one, get it? BEEP BEEP.
IT Chapter One (2017) dir. Andy Muschietti
- Starring Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Martel, Sophia Lillis, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, and Chosen Jacob’s.
IT Chapter Two (2019) dir. Andy Muschietti
- Bill Skarsgård, Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, and Andy Bean.
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