Bill Skarsgård Teases “Hardcore” Return as Pennywise in It: Welcome to Derry, 6 Years After Last Portrayal of the Terrifying Clown

It: Welcome to Derry promises to deliver a truly “hardcore”version of Pennywise, as teased by actor Bill Skarsgård, affirming that the upcoming Max series will not be suitable for a younger audience. Directed by Andy Muschietti, the two-part adaptation of Stephen King’s horror masterpiece successfully introduced the terrifying character of Pennywise to a new generation, propelled by Skarsgård’s haunting portrayal. Fans can rejoice, as Skarsgård is set to reprise his role in the eagerly awaited first season of the Welcome to Derry spinoff.

Concerns that Welcome to Derry might dilute the terrifying essence of Pennywise have been quelled by Skarsgård’s recent comments during an interview with Josh Horowitz on Happy Sad Confused. He emphasized that this version of Pennywise will retain the same sinister qualities that defined his performance in the films (source: Fangoria):

“It’s pretty hardcore, man. It’s not the G-rated Pennywise.”

During the discussion, Skarsgård opened up about his initial hesitation to return to the role of Pennywise. He believed his days of portraying monstrous characters were behind him, especially after working on both IT and the upcoming vampire film Nosferatu. He shared his thoughts on this transition:

“I felt like I was done with it, in a way. It was also because I was shooting [Nosferatu], I was doing Orlok. To me it just felt like this is the nail in the coffin on my monster roles. Pun intended. I did feel like I was kind of over it and wanted to do different things. The Pennywise thing as well, I’ve been quite defined by it.”

“It was fun. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, actually, and there’s parts of it where we got to explore sides of old Pennywise that we haven’t seen. And that’s fun. I remembered how much I enjoy working with Andy and we do have a lot of fun together. I think there’s some cool stuff in there that we haven’t seen that I’m excited for the people to watch and enjoy hopefully.”

Implications for Welcome to Derry

Anticipate a Fully Unleashed Pennywise

Initially, it was speculated that Welcome to Derry would explore narrative arcs within Stephen King’s notoriously haunted Maine setting, potentially without direct appearances from Pennywise. The announcement of Skarsgård’s return was unexpected, and it now seems the actor did not foresee himself stepping back into the shoes (or clown makeup) of Pennywise.

Having Skarsgård reprise his iconic role lends additional legitimacy to the spinoff series, offering an opportunity for a deeper exploration of Pennywise’s extensive lore. As a streaming service production, Max is less likely to sanitize the character, yet Skarsgård’s confirmation that this iteration of Pennywise will be just as frightening as ever is essential reassurance for fans.

Expert Commentary on Hardcore Pennywise in Welcome to Derry

Why a G-Rated Pennywise Would Be Detrimental

An edited image of Pennywise the Clown from It with the Loser's Club in the background.

Although the extent of Pennywise’s presence in Welcome to Derry remains uncertain until its 2025 release, there is a possibility that the series could introduce sporadic appearances of the iconic killer clown. Teasers for the series have hinted at dark events unfolding in Derry, suggesting an atmosphere of dread that could relate to Pennywise without overtly showcasing him. However, this approach might alienate audiences who expect to see the clown they dread.

While a narrative choice allowing Pennywise to exist as a mere shadow of malevolence could be interesting, the commercial viability of a fully realized character is undeniable. Since the series is set to feature Pennywise, it would be imperative to depict his character authentically, embodying the full spectrum of terror associated with him. In this context, a G-rated rendition of Pennywise would ultimately fall flat and could mislead viewers.

Source: Happy Sad Confused (via Fangoria)

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