It Chapter 2: Pennywise returns in FIRST LOOK at terrifying clown in horror sequel

Bill Skarsgard is back as the terrifying antagonist of the horror, who petrified audiences throughout the first movie – released this time last year.

Local news outlet Northumberland News spotted Skarsgard in full costume filming scenes on top of the massive Paul Bunyan statue in Memorial Park, Port Hope.

The cast and crew are thought to have been recording in the area since Friday, August 31, and will be back later in September.

The significance of the statue won’t be lost on those who read Stephen King’s original book.

Richie Tozier encounters Pennywise at the statue at one point in the novel, with Pennywise ultimately taking on the form of the statue to attack him.

The statue was in the first movie, but was not explicitly the focus of any particular scene.

It: Chapter Two reunites many of the stars of the 2017 smash, and hires a new cast of adults to play the older versions of the young Losers’ Club.

Finn Wolfhard plays the young Richie, while Bill Hader has been recruited to play his adult self.

Jessica Chastain is the big star booking: she plays the older Beverly, first portrayed by young Sophia Lills in the original.

James McAvoy is playing the older version of Jaeden Lieberher’s Bill, while Jay Ryan is the older incarnation of Jeremy Ray Taylor’s Ben.

Isaiah Mustafa will play the older Mike, with Chosen Jacobs back as the young Mike; and James Ransone is the older version of Jack Dylan Grazer’s Eddie.

Andy Muschietti is back to direct the horror, with the screenplay by Gary Dauberman.

Cary Fukunaga was originally slated to direct the It films, and recently opened up on why he pulled out.

Explaining that studio bosses feared he would go rogue, he told GQ: “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.”

It: Chapter Two is out in September 2019.