Update: News just broke that “Hemlock Grove’s” Bill Skarsgard is in final negotiations for the role! Details can be found here.

One of the biggest issues with remaking A Nightmare On Elm Street is that nobody can replace Robert Englund in the role of Freddy Krueger. It’s easier for franchises like Friday the 13th or Halloween because, Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers, respectively, are silent killers who don a mask.

This is where New Line Cinema’s re-adaptation of Stephen King’s It has a small conundrum; nobody will be able to replace Tim Curry as the malevolent clown, Pennywise.

The biggest difference between Freddy and Pennywise, though, is that the latter isn’t nearly as notable or pop culture penetrating as the Dream Demon.

I don’t think any of us are worried that we’re going to see a new Pennywise. In fact, I’m pretty stoked that New Line is attempting a feature version of this terrifying King story that taps into the vein of Stand By Me.

It’s been longstanding that Will Poulter had been cast as Pennywise when Cary Fukunaga was attached to direct.

Reports surfaced in April that Poulter has since dropped out, due to scheduling conflicts, while our own sources told us that he’s still in contention as Mama director Andy Muschietti will hold his own auditions.

We’ve learned that there’s not only been auditions, but that various actors have been part of make-up tests.

One of the most exciting names in contention is Kirk Acevedo, we can exclusively report.

While many of you may know Acevedo from his roles in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, pictured above, “Band of Brothers,” “Fringe,” and “12 Monkeys,” I became a massive fan watching him on HBO’s prison series, “Oz”.

It should be clear that a handful of actors are being tested. Still, I personally think Acevedo is as inspired of a choice as Poulter, whose exit I’m still mourning.

Stephen King’s It will rise from the sewers on September 8, 2017.

What do you guys think?