Just months after creepy clowns sparked security fears across the world, a film that plays on the terrors caused by the creatures is on its way.
It, originally a 1986 horror novel by Stephen King, was adapted as a TV miniseries starring Tim Curry in 1990 - but since then, the tale has remained dormant.
However, after a number of years' planning, the big-screen version will come to life in 2017 - and it looks as though under the direction of Andres Muschietti, it will be just as petrifying as the book.
A new trailer released on Thursday morning (NZ time) lays out the well-known story of Pennywise the sewer-dwelling, shapeshifting clown, and the unspeakable evil he unleashed every three decades.
The seven children he terrorises are preyed on using their deepest fears and phobias - and the trailer shows moments of chilling supernatural activity.
The clown form he inhabits is played by 26-year-old Swedish actor Bill Skarsgard - and while there were eyebrows raised over how his youthful, handsome features would fit with the malevolent character he plays, he says his version will be different.
"[Curry]'s performance was truly great, but it's important for me to do something different because of that. I'll never be able to make a Tim Curry performance as good as Tim Curry," Skarsgard told Entertainment Weekly last year.
"It's important that we do something fresh and original for this one. It's purposely not going toward that weird, greasy look."
Muschietti's film adaptation is being released in two parts, with the first coming out in September this year.
Newshub.
