As a die-hard Stephen King fan who grew up devouring his novels and watching every adaptation with bated breath, I must say that each film or miniseries adaptation presents its own unique set of challenges when it comes to visualizing the terrifying creatures and entities that inhabit King’s richly imaginative world.
The central antagonist in Stephen King’s novel “It” is extraordinarily versatile, capable of materializing a child’s deepest nightmares. Ranging from its preferred form as Pennywise the Dancing Clown to a colossal spider, this entity assumed numerous terrifying shapes across the book. Not every incarnation of Pennywise was included in the film versions of the story.
The storyline of “It” and its sequel, “It Chapter 2,” tracks the Losers as they confront Pennywise, depart from Derry, and are compelled to revisit. While it remains true to the book in numerous aspects, the various manifestations of “It” are conspicuously absent. This omission, along with other alterations related to characters, plot, and the overall challenges of transforming a book into a film, reflects the changes made.
10 The Moon
In the novel adaptation of “It“, the malicious character Henry Bowers experiences his friends’ voices emanating from the moon, accompanied by the Losers. Overwhelmed, he yells at the moon, but to his terror, it transforms into Pennywise’s face, characterized by black-hole eyes and pale, chalky skin. This startling manifestation then commands Henry, “Kill them all,” using “them” as a reference to the residents of Derry, on behalf of the clown.
Less Scary On-Screen
Despite neither film showcasing the moon, the mini-series attempted to incorporate that element. A scene with Pennywise staring down from space seemed unusual rather than frightening, possibly explaining its absence in the movie versions. We believe this decision was wise.
9 Frankenstein’s Monster
In the chilling tale of Frankenstein, I, the monster created by Victor Frankenstein, make two unsettling appearances: firstly, as a terrifying specter in Eddie Kaspbrak’s nightmare, and secondly, as a gruesome figure in the sewers where I behead Victor Criss. As I advance menacingly towards Belch, Henry Bowers flees in panic. However, it is due to Belch’s brave stand against me that Henry manages (albeit with a pang of guilt) to make his escape.
A New Killer
As a passionate cinephile, I found an intriguing twist in the 2017 film, where the deaths of Belch and Victor occurred off-screen, leaving their fate somewhat mysterious. However, one of the deleted scenes from the film suggests that It’s ominous influence may have driven Henry to commit the murder. This theory sheds light on why the monster didn’t appear in the movie, as it seems the true terror was not an external entity, but rather, Henry himself, acting under Its influence.
8 The Shark From Jaws
Upon my return to Derry in 1985, I stumbled upon a child who was acquainted with one of the recently deceased children, Johnny Feury. According to another youngster, Tommy Vicanzanza, Johnny met an unfortunate end in the Derry Canal, allegedly at the hands of a shark reminiscent of that infamous creature from “Jaws”. This revelation prompted me to caution the boy about venturing near the canal or sewers, and it rekindled my resolve to put an end to It once and for all.
Licensing and Logistics
It’s quite probable that purchasing the rights for the shark’s presence would have been costly. Given that its appearance is depicted off-page in the novel, there was even less incentive to incorporate it, as it would necessitate crafting a whole new scene.
7 Flying Leeches
In the story “It,” Patrick Hockstetter stands out as an exceptionally unsettling character. As a youngster, he tormented the Losers, cruelly treated animals, and tragically murdered his infant brother. It’s hardly shocking that many readers didn’t mourn when the book-portrayal of him met his grisly end at the hands of a swarm of leeches. However, his fate in the movies took a distinct turn.
An Updated Fear
Instead of dreading leeches, movie-Patrick has a phobia of zombies. Appropriately, it encounters numerous deceased individuals before pursuing him through the sewers. The switch from leeches to zombies isn’t instantly clear, but given the surge in popularity of zombie films lately and the shift in timeline from the ’50s/’80s to the ’80s/2016, it may have been done to keep up with contemporary trends.
6 The Crawling Eye
In simpler terms, “The Crawling Eye” is a monster featured in the 1958 British horror film titled “The Trollenberg Terror“. This movie seems to have left an enduring impact on Richie Tozier, possibly because of his personal struggles related to his vision and thick glasses. When the group descends into the sewers, Richie is terrified to find that the Crawling Eye is lurking there, ready to confront him.
Outdated Reference
In the film, The Crawling Eye may not have made an appearance because it has become less pertinent in today’s context. On the other hand, in It Chapter 2, a wriggling eye surfaced in Richie’s fortune cookie, potentially as a tribute to both its shape and his fear, referencing the source material.
5 Creature from the Black Lagoon (and Dorsey)
Eddie Corcoran is among the most unfortunate figures in the novel “It.“. Plagued by regular abuse at the hands of his stepfather, whom he believes responsible for the death of his younger brother Dorsey, he flees home following a poor academic report. Upon reaching the Canal, he’s shocked to come face-to-face with It appearing as his deceased brother. As he attempts to escape, It morphs into the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Overwhelmed yet doubting its authenticity, he searches for the monster’s zipper, but it ends up decapitating him instead.
Missing Kids, Missing Creature
In the film, Eddie is scarcely referenced and eventually shown being devoured by It, which leaves no room for the appearance of the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Moreover, It never transforms into Dorsey in the movie, a fact that can be attributed to this character’s limited presence. Regrettably, these characters and their unique forms were not incorporated in the film adaptation, as they had been significant aspects of the original story.
4 Bird Hybrid
In the pages of that chilling narrative, my first brush with the enigmatic entity was as an ominous, monstrous avian creature. Though its visage differed significantly, it bore a striking resemblance to the fearsome pterodactyl from the movie “Rodan” I once watched side by side with my father. This behemoth of the skies had me in its sights, attempting to make a meal out of yours truly. However, I managed to save myself by raising an ear-piercing shriek and putting up a valiant struggle against it.
Missed Characterization
In the film version of the story, Mike encounters It for the first time when he notices charred hands emerging from a structure. These hands symbolize his deceased parents who perished in a fire. Though unsettling, this portrayal varies significantly from the book’s, as Mike’s struggle against the avian form helps the Losers comprehend that It can be vanquished. By altering the bird-like appearance and substituting it with hands, Mike’s already diminished role becomes even more marginalized.
3 Doberman Pinscher
In the story, John Koontz is depicted as a security officer at Juniper Hills State Penitentiary. During an attempt by Bowers to flee the institution, Koontz intervenes, transforming into a massive Doberman Pinscher, which leaps onto and ultimately slays the guard.
A Better Book Visual
1990’s miniseries considered incorporating a scene where Bowers flees, achieved by combining a Rottweiler’s head with Pennywise’s body. The outcome was odd rather than scary, or perhaps only terrifying due to its peculiarity. This might be the reason why subsequent movie adaptations chose not to replicate it.
2 Dracula
Upon my return to Derry, an eerily familiar vampire, akin to one from Salem’s Lot, materialized in the library. His teeth, wickedly sharp and resembling razor blades, dripped with blood and remnants of flesh, creating a chilling spectacle. With a menacing tone, he recounted the grisly demise of Stanley Uris, followed by a stern warning for me to depart from this town without delay.
Difficult to Depict
In the story, a striking moment features the vampire, but in reality, it’s challenging to imagine what this character would physically appear like. Trying to depict fang-like teeth with razor blades might result in something comical, such as the infamous 1990s dog-faced clown, or perhaps an even more questionable portrayal.
1 Pregnant Spider
At the conclusion of “It”, the now-grown Losers unite with the aim of rescuing Bill Denbrough’s wife from Pennywise. They penetrate his lair, which is entirely enveloped in webs, revealing the colossal spider form of It. What makes this spider-form particularly chilling isn’t just Pennywise itself but also an additional detail: a cluster of its egg sacs.
Too Many Questions
In the end, leaving out this particular element from the films could prove beneficial. In the books, it led to considerable confusion among readers, who were left questioning its gender, intentions, and fundamental nature.
Perhaps the forthcoming prequel might provide answers to these questions, or possibly offer a clearer understanding of It’s diverse manifestations.
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2024-10-27 00:32