Bill Skarsgård Reveals His Initial Doubts About Returning as Pennywise
Bill Skarsgård opens up about his early reluctance to reprise Pennywise in HBO's It: Welcome to Derry, sharing why he was cautious about continuing the story and how he ultimately found new excitement in the role.
Bill Skarsgård recently spoke about his experience stepping back into the shoes of Pennywise for HBO 's prequel series, It: Welcome to Derry. The actor admitted he wasn't immediately on board with the idea of returning to the character that made him a horror icon. In his own words,
I was more hesitant about it going into it than going out of it,
Skarsgård shared, reflecting on his initial reservations about the project.
When first approached about reprising the role, Skarsgård questioned whether it was the right move. He explained,
We did the two movies, and they were very successful,
and expressed concern about stretching the story too thin.
You don't want to milk this one out with a TV show,
he said, worried that a new series might not live up to the high bar set by the original films.
Finding New Depths in Pennywise
Despite his doubts, Skarsgård found himself drawn in once he learned more about the creative direction of the show. He said,
I feel that, in the end, we explored some parts of Pennywise that we hadn't seen before or hadn't done,
highlighting the fresh angles the series would take. Working alongside Andy Muschietti, Skarsgård enjoyed the opportunity to dig deeper into the character.
Even with Pennywise's performance, there was like, 'Okay, here's a juicy scene, and you see something else from Pennywise, or more of him.' I had fun with those scenes, for sure,
he added.
It: Welcome to Derry delves into the mysterious origins of Pennywise, finally shedding light on his backstory as Bob Grey. The show also introduces a new twist: Pennywise's ability to see the future, which adds a chilling layer to his interactions with the parents of the future Losers' Club members.
The Future of Welcome to Derry
As of now, a second season of It: Welcome to Derry hasn't been officially announced. If renewed, the next chapter is expected to tackle the infamous Bradley Gang Massacre, a violent event in Derry's history. The timeline would jump back 27 years before the events of season one, placing the story in the 1930s.
All episodes of Welcome to Derry are currently available to stream on HBO Max. For those eager for more, there's plenty to look forward to with upcoming Stephen King adaptations and a host of top shows on the platform.