A few months back, ‘It’ director Andy Muschietti stated that an extended cut of the film would be coming to home video. When those home video releases were announced, however, the extended cut was nowhere to be seen. So what gives? Asked on Instagram whether or not an extended cut was still on the slate, Muchietti confirmed that it was and that it would be released “in a few months.”
The home video release of the theatrical cut will itself include an assortment of deleted scenes. With the extended cut said to run about fifteen minutes longer than the theatrical version, it remains unclear which of these scenes will be re-incorporated into the film. Likewise, there are a number of scenes (including a flashback in which Pennywise eats a baby) that have reportedly been held back from the film’s home video release. Whether that material finds its way into the extended cut or even the anticipated sequel, it is too early to say.
This sort of double-dip release is not uncommon (though it’s not exactly popular among fans, either), calling to mind Fox’s handling of ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ back in 2014. Following its theatrical run, the film arrived on Blu-ray. Even before that release arrived in stores, however, a second release had been announced. This second Blu-ray would include both the theatrical cut and the so-called “Rogue cut” (which among other things, restored an entire subplot centered on – you guessed it – Rogue). This had the effect of arguably rendering that initial Blu-ray release irrelevant, even for those who ultimately prefer the theatrical cut. After all, why not buy the version that gives you more content?
‘It’, directed by Andy Muschietti, stars Jaeden Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, Nicholas Hamilton, and Bill Skarsgard. The film is set to receive Blu-ray and DVD releases on January 9th, 2018, and is available now on the usual array of digital platforms.
A sequel, tentatively titled ‘It: Chapter 2’ is due to arrive in theaters on September 6, 2019.
