It Chapter 2 film: Director teases darker sequel that 'won't be a comedy'

The horror-comedy is breaking box office records

The latest adaptation of Stephen King's It, now in cinemas, managed to achieve the difficult feat of being both terrifying and funny, but the sequel is set to see something of a genre change.

Last month, director Andy Muschietti told MTV he would be "very, very happy about doing Chapter Two", and given the film's already record-breaking success at the box office, it is almost certain that there will be a sequel and that Muschietti will be asked to return for it.

Chapter Two, prophesied by the first film's 'Chapter One' closing title card, will likely follow the time jump in Stephen King's book, seeing the Losers' Club return to Derry, Maine 27 years later. This time there will be nothing to laugh about.

"It won't be a comedy," Muschietti said. "If the second movie happens, I really want to recover the dialogue between the two timelines that the book had."

With It taking place in 1989, the sequel will probably be set pretty much in the modern day, though - as in the book - the action will jump between the two eras.

Muschietti noted that he's not worried about the young cast aging: "Through the magic of cinema, there are practical solutions for that."

The Hollywood Reporter claims Muschietti is "waiting in the wings" to return for It 2, which is apparently "moving forward" at New Line, with Gary Dauberman returning to pen the screenplay.

It is in cinemas now.