BillSkarsgårdmightbe returning to the role that made him famousin the HBO Max prequel series,Welcome to Derry, but it’s a part he was extremely nervous about followingthe online backlash he received in 2016after an early image was shared by Warner Bros. to promote the 2017 release ofIT. Skarsgård portrayed the role of Pennywise in Andy Muschietti’s reimagining of the Stephen King classic in 2017 and 2019 respectively. The film, which was split into two parts, would go on to gross a collective $1.1 billion dollars, andmade Skarsgård a household name.
Speaking withEsquire, Skarsgård recalls that at the time, he really didn’t understandwhat he was getting himself intoby taking on the role of Pennywise, which had previously beenplayed by Tim Curryin the 1990 made-for-TV miniseries, and had become such an iconic part of pop culture. He says looking back on it all now, “I was just a kid.” Check out his comments below.
“When you are twenty-six, you don’t feel young at all, but now,looking back at it, I was a kid. It was fairly early on in my career to take on something that had so many eyeballs and expectations on it.”
Now 33-years-old, the Swedish actor recallsthe hateful rhetoric that was spewed his wayafter Warner Bros. released an early image of Skarsgård in full Pennywise costume, holding a balloon and smiling maniacally. The image was shared onlinebefore filming forITeven began, which Skarsgård called a “mean” thing to do.
“They did a thing thatI felt was kind of mean. I was so incredibly nervous to start this job, and then the Internet is having so many hateful opinions on the weird, strange look of the thing.”
Bill Skarsgård Says He Lost Sleep Over His Role as Pennywise
While the part of Pennywise the Dancing Clown inITwas ultimately a rolethat would change his life, it was also a part that he says caused him to lose a lot of sleep. Skarsgård would go on to have tremendous success in the years following his portrayal of the demented clown, with appearances inDeadpool 2,Barbarian,John Wick: Chapter 4,and the lead in 2024’sBoy Kills World.
At the time Warner Bros. shared that first-look image of him in his Pennywise costume, he said hecouldn’t get the insults out of his mind. He recalled a few of the more “polite” ones that were directed his way.
“This looks so stupid.’ ‘Lame.’ ‘Boooo.’”
Despite the haters,ITwould go on to be a critical and financial hit, and Skarsgård’s epic portrayal of Pennywisehas become a part of the culturein its own right,just as Curry’s did all those years ago. He says the part “unlocked” something that now gives him the confidenceto take on more challenging roles, despite what people might say.
“It unlocked something in me, and itgave me the confidence that I can take on any challenge. At least, that’s how I feel when I accept these things.”
The Crow Trailer Sees a Gothic Bill Skarsgård Step into Brandon Lee’s Anti-Hero Shoes
The Crow has unveiled its first trailer of Bill Skarsgård’s take on the cult classic movie.
It’s that confidence Skarsgård will need toportray the part of Eric Dravenin Lionsgate’s upcoming reimagining ofThe Crow, which – in a bit of déjà vu – has already receiveda ton of online backlashfollowing a look at the actor in full costume.
ITChapters 1 and 2 are available to rent or buy on all VOD platforms.
