Popular Scream King Was ‘Hesitant’ to Return For It: Welcome To Derry

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Co-creator Andy Muschietti shared the reasons behind the initial uncertainty about Bill Skarsgård returning to play Pennywise. The actor had previously portrayed the character in the two films released in 2017 and 2019.

According to GamesRadar, Muschietti recently shared that Skarsgård initially had some worries about reprising his role in the prequel. He stated, “I believe he was a bit reluctant to play It again initially, as it was a character he’d already portrayed. Also, around the time we began seriously discussing the series, he’d taken on a lot of very dark roles and was a little hesitant to revisit that territory.”

As you can imagine, for someone who is so dedicated to his work and his craft, inhabiting those characters for an extended period was draining,” Muschietti explained. “He was initially a bit reluctant – but then his perspective shifted. I think it happened when we revisited the project and talked about all the strengths of this new story, and he ultimately agreed to participate.

Created by and produced by Barbara Muschietti, alongside showrunner Jason Fuchs, It: Welcome to Derry will revisit the quiet Maine town haunted by the terrifying Pennywise for generations. The series takes place in the early 1960s and centers on Charlotte and Leroy Hanlon, played by Taylour Paige and Jovan Adepo, a couple who relocate to Derry with their young child as Pennywise begins a new wave of fear. It: Welcome to Derry also features Rudy Mancuso, Madeleine Stowe, Stephe Rider, James Remar, and Chris Chalk as a younger Dick Hallorann, before the events of The Shining.

Executive producer Barbara Muschietti shared that the prequel focuses heavily on exploring the character of Bob Gray. She described the project as “a lot more Bob Gray exploration,” adding that it was a fun and enjoyable experience for the actor. They felt it “became a good little piece of candy to play with. We saw him having a really good time doing it.” She particularly enjoyed seeing him have fun, especially during scenes where Bob Gray was more distended, noting, “So it was nice to see him, especially in the Bob Gray moments when he’s more distended, have fun.”

I’ve been following this actor’s work for a while now, and I’m really excited about what they’re doing! They first caught my attention with It, and then I discovered they’ve been in a bunch of other great horror movies like Barbarian, The Crow, and Nosferatu. It seems like they really gravitate towards these darker, more intense roles, which I absolutely love.

Why Historical Accuracy was Key to It: Welcome to Derry’s Success According to Its Star

I remember back in September, Paige talked about how crucial it was to get the historical details right – not just for her character, but for the entire world of the show. She pointed out that we’ve all probably seen old movies from that era, and the way women spoke was so different – more refined and deliberate. “There’s an elegance, there’s a carefulness,” she said. But her character was a bit of a departure from that typical portrayal, and, like with every role she takes on, she always starts by focusing on the physicality – building the character from the feet up, as she explained.

Back in 1962, fashion was changing. While dresses and skirts – especially pencil skirts – were still popular, women were beginning to wear pants. It felt somewhat modern for the era, but it was also a transition period, as America was still largely conservative. This balance really influenced my decisions and style choices at the time.

It: Welcome to Derry is currently slated to premiere on HBO on Oct. 26.

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2025-10-05 20:15