Lithgow inherits the part of Jud from the late Fred Gwynne, who turned in a highly memorable performance as the elderly neighbor, and really nailed the character’s thick Maine accent so prevalent in King’s book. But don’t expect Lithgow to do the same.
“We all talked about [the accent],” Lithgow tells us, “and we even tried it different ways. I did a whole reading with a Maine accent. I personally felt that even people who are from Maine, even actors who get it absolutely right – an accent like that kind of takes you out of the story. I myself think that, especially how they have reimagined this script, which is changed from the book, to the first film, to this – it has evolved and Jud has become a more serious character, in a sense. He is a character in the pull of a kind of deep, deep regret, deep guilt, great longing, great feelings of loss, love. And because of that, I just felt he had to be a very genuine person. Listen, I have Boston roots. My father was born there, all my uncles and aunts were from there, I went to Harvard and I know Boston well. I can do an accent. But as soon as I start, that’s all you’re listening to.”