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Cary Fukunaga Isn’t Directing It Anymore

Cary Fukunaga. Photo: Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Cary Fukunaga will not direct New Line’s It, according to the Wrap, which adds that the summer project has been stalled indefinitely. Fukunaga reportedly butted heads with the production company because his first scripts were coming in over the two-part adaptation’s budgets, and hedid not want to compromise his artistic vision in the wake of budget cuts that were recently demanded.” The Wrap’s sources also noted that Fukunaga tried to bring Ben Mendelsohn onboard (but couldn’t because of a slashed paycheck), and that shooting locations were problematic because Fukunaga wanted pricy New York spots. It’s unclear if New Line will replace Fukunaga right away; the helmer shake-up is also up in the air in terms of how it will affect Will Poulter’s role in the movie. The Wrap and its sources speculate that the next move will probably involve re-conceptualizing the two-part adaptation as one long movie, with all new personnel. Don’t worry, Fukunaga will still have plenty to do: an anti-bullying movie about Joe and Jadin Bell, as well as the Alienist miniseries. And in the meantime, if you want a clown to scare the crap out of you, go see the new Poltergeist, or, as Stephen King has pointed out, Tim Curry.

Cary Fukunaga Isn’t Directing It Anymore