After being personally hand picked by Stephen King, director Cary Fukunaga reportedly left "It" movie remake due to budget and creative differences.
"Sources say that New Line and Fukunaga are parting ways over budgetary reasons that stem from a difference in creative visions," The Hollywood Reporter claimed.
Despite the exit, New Line Cinema is reportedly determined to bring "It" movie remake to the big screen that they've already found a director to replace Fukunaga.
Together with producers Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Seth Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg, the studio is reportedly in final negotiations with "Mama" helmer Andy Muschietti.
The question now is, will Stephen King give his blessing to Muschietti the same way he gave it to Fukunaga?
Together with the new director, New Line Cinema is also reportedly on a hunt for a new writer that would give life to Muschietti's views while maintaining the the two-part movie series planned by the studio.
With Fukunaga's exit, it's not clear if "We're The Millers" star Will Poulter, who is reportedly tapped to play the new Pennywise the Clown, is still involved with Stephen King's "It" movie remake.
Together with Fukunaga, the actor is reportedly not attached to the remake as well, but reports suggest that things may change given that the remake will delay its production.
Variety previously reported Poulter's involvement saying,
"Sources tell Variety that Will Poulter ("We're the Millers") is in negotiations to play Pennywise, the evil monster who lured in children disguised as a clown, in the upcoming remake of Stephen King's horror classic," the publication claimed.
Had she not exited, "It" movie remake would have been Cary Fukunaga's debut U.S. movie.
"I've been in this project for about five years," Fukunaga admitted. "I had already read versions of the script but nothing felt right. Everybody tried to put too much into it, telling it from the perspective of the adult and the child in a two hour movie. It didn't fit. So I decided to throw it all away and start from scratch".
Adding, "this will be my first movie in the U.S. and I'm still trying to find the perfect guy to play Pennywise. It's really good to know Stephen [King] likes what we did. We [Fukunaga and writers David Kajganich and Chase Palmer] changed names, dates [the story is originally set in the 60s] dynamics, but the spirit is similar to what he'd like to see in cinemas, I think".
