With production on ‘It: Chapter Two’ set to begin this summer, the cast is coming together. All eyes are on who will play the grown-up versions of the Losers Club from ‘Chapter One’. So far, Jessica Chastain has been cast to play Beverly Marsh, with James McAvoy as Bill Denbrough, Bill Hader as Richie Tozier, Andy Bean as Stanley Uris and James Ransone as Eddie Kaspbrak. Now a sixth Loser has been cast! New Zealander Jay Ryan will be stepping into the role of the adult Ben Hanscom.
Wow. Looks like someone certainly grew out of their baby fat!
Played by Jeremy Ray Taylor in the first movie, Ben was the awkward new kid on the block (sorry, I couldn’t help myself). He develops a sudden intense fascination with the history of Derry, Maine, and spends all of his free time at the library researching it. It is his in-depth knowledge that gives the kids the advantage they need when it comes time for them to confront “It” the mysterious force that is attempting to kill them.
Ben eventually grows up and becomes an architect. John Ritter played him in the original TV miniseries.
Ryan most recently appeared in the Hulu series ‘Mary Kills People’, but he may be best recognized for starring on The CW’s ‘Beauty and the Beast‘ which ran for four seasons from 2012-16. He also had a supporting role on the series ‘Terra Nova’. Prior to that, most of his work was on New Zealand and Australian TV on series such as ‘Top of the Lake’, ‘Go Girls’ and ‘Offspring’. He will be seen in the upcoming Australian TV miniseries ‘Fighting Season’.
The last remaining adult member of the Losers Club that has yet to be cast is Mike Hanlon, who, fittingly was the last kid taken in by the group. Chosen Jacobs played young Mike in the first movie. All of the young actors are expected to appear in flashbacks in ‘Chapter Two’. In fact, some of those scenes were shot while filming the first movie.
Bill Skarsgård returns in ‘Chapter Two’ as Pennywise. Javier Botet is rumored to have been cast in an undisclosed role. Director Andy Muschietti returns to helm the new movie, based on a screenplay by Gary Dauberman.
‘It: Chapter Two’ is scheduled for release on September 6, 2019.
Source: Deadline
