It's hard to keep a good bad clown down.

Although it certainly looked as if the planned adaptation of Stephen King's "It" might be doomed following the departure last year of director Cary Fukunaga, the project is back on track -- and it even has a release date.

Warner Bros. and New Line have announced "It' will arrive in theaters Sept. 18, 2017. The studios also dated “CHiPs” reboot (Aug. 11, 2017) and an untitled comedy (Dec. 22, 2017).

King's 1986 novel tells the tale of a group of misfit children who come together one summer to confront the mysterious, shape-shifting monster that’s plagued their town, most frequently in the form of a clown named Pennywise. “It” was previously adapted in 1990 as a television miniseries, starring Tim Curry.

"The Maze Runner's" Will Poulter was cast in May 2015 as Pennywise, but Variety reports scheduling conflicts have led him to drop out of the film. Director Andy Muschietti ("Mama") and studio executives are now meeting with actors for the crucial role.