Acclaimed cinematographer Checco Varese, ASC’s recently released feature It: Chapter Two is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year. 

It: Chapter Two, (from Warner Brothers and New Line) hits theaters Sep. 6. It is the eagerly-awaited sequel to It – director Andy Muschietti’s blockbuster adaptation of author Stephen King’s classic horror masterpiece by the same name. Within hours of its debut, It: Chapter Two’s trailer, alone, generated millions of views and sent fans and social media into a frenzy. Stephen King himself took to Twitter to praise the film.

The saga’s latest chapter finds the self-proclaimed ‘Losers’ Club’ returning to their hometown of Derry, Maine after 27 years to defeat Pennywise – the shape-shifting, dancing demonic clown portrayed in terrifying fashion by Bill Skarsgård. All grown up and ready for serious battle, the all-star cast also features Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Isaiah Mustafa, and Bill Hader.

For Muschietti, who stepped back into the director’s role, tapping veteran cinematographer Checco Varese to shoot the sequel was a natural choice. “Checco and I go back a long time. We made commercials together a decade ago in Spain, as well as a little short film, and a pilot, too. Our communication has always been great, not only because of the shorthand coming from our cultural background and language, (I was born and raised in Argentina, while he is Peruvian but lived in Buenos Aires for years) but also because we speak a similar visual language. Just a few words were enough to express my vision of this film to him, and immediately an effervescent creative dialogue began. For a cinematographer, working with a director who is very visual can be a blessing or a curse. That’s why Checco is such a trooper. His patience is monumental, and his support unconditional,” compliments the director. 

He also cites Varese’s background as a war camera person as a huge asset, “That might explain his versatility and ability to adapt to the circumstances. In production, you have to change horses many times as you’re crossing the river, and when that happens, you want someone like Checco on your side, always supportive, loyal, and ready to share his visual creativity.”

In addition to his collaborations with Muschietti, Varese has also partnered on several features with director Patricia Riggen including, Miracles From Heaven, Under the Same Moon, and the The 33, which starred Antonio Banderas and Juliette Binoche and is based on the real-life story of 33 miners trapped in a Chilean mine. 

Varese also enjoys a reputation for being the unofficial ‘pilot guy,’ lensing more than two dozen season starters – nineteen of which have been picked up for series including, True Blood; The Strain; The Returned; The Fosters; Colony; and The Defenders. He once again partnered with Riggen for the CBS’s pilot, Surveillance. His other credits include several episode of the first season of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan for Amazon, and the sci-fi thriller Replicas featuring Keanu Reeves and Thomas Middleditch.