It went on to become a surprise hit of last year; earning rave reviews and enjoying huge success at the box office, with Andy Muschietti at the helm.
At the time of his departure, Fukunaga told Entertainment Weekly that he and bosses at New Line “wanted to make different movies”, something he has now elaborated on.
Speaking to GQ, he said the studio started treating him like he could break ranks.
“I think it was fear on their part, that they couldn’t control me,” he mused.
Asked if they were right, he clarified: “No, they thought they couldn’t control me. I would have been a total collaborator.
“That was the kind of ridiculous part. It was just more a perception.
“I have never seen a note and been like, f**k you guys. No way. It’s always been a conversation.”
He added: “I don’t think I’ve ever been able to make something uncompromising.
“Like, someone commented on Beasts [of No Nation, 2015], ‘Oh, how did it feel to make a movie that’s uncompromising?’
“Like, uncompromising? I had to rewrite my entire third act ’cause we didn’t have the money to finish the film. We compromise all over the place.”
It, starring Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise, currently has a sequel in the works, due for release on September 6, 2019.
It: Chapter 2 will see the child characters from the first movie all grown up, with James McAvoy playing the older version of Jaeden Lieberher’s Bill.
Jessica Chastain will portray the older incarnation of Sophia Lillis’s Beverly Marsh, while Bill Hader is the older Richie – originally played by Finn Wolfhard.
Jeremy Ray Taylor’s Ben will be seen as an adult courtesy of Jay Ryan, Isaiah Mustafa will play the older version of Chosen Jacobs’ Mike, and James Ransome will be the older Eddie – whom Jack Dylan Grazer plays as a child.
Xavier Dolan, Jess Weixler, Andy Bean, Teach Grant and Jackson Robert are also in the cast.
It: Chapter 2 is out on September 6, 2019.
