Why Will Poulter’s Pennywise Was Recast in Stephen King’s It

by

Stephen King’s novel is one of the most memorable horror stories ever written. Originally published in 1986, it centers around a group of kids, known as the “Losers’ Club,” who battle an ancient, terrifying creature that takes the form of their worst fears—often appearing as the frightening clown, Pennywise. The book’s mix of childhood memories, psychological suspense, and supernatural horror has made it a lasting classic, inspiring numerous movies and TV shows and establishing Pennywise as a truly iconic horror villain.

Will Poulter, known for his role in The Maze Runner, was originally chosen to play Pennywise in Cary Fukunaga’s planned version of It. However, when Fukunaga unexpectedly left the project and the film’s direction and timeline changed significantly, Poulter left as well. This opened the door for Bill Skarsgård to take on the role. Ultimately, the film underwent a complete creative overhaul, rescuing the adaptation and becoming a defining work of modern horror.

Pennywise Is One of Horror’s Most Iconic Monsters

Stephen King’s It is one of the most impactful horror stories ever written. Originally published in 1986, the lengthy novel blends terrifying supernatural events with the relatable experience of growing up. It centers on a group of young friends, known as the Losers’ Club, who fight an ancient, ever-changing monster that often takes the form of a clown named Pennywise, terrorizing the town of Derry, Maine. The story resonates with deep-seated childhood fears and explores themes of trauma, memory, and how evil repeats itself.

The story was first adapted for television in 1990 as a two-part miniseries, with Tim Curry delivering a memorable performance as Pennywise the clown. Even with limitations in budget and special effects, Curry’s portrayal quickly became famous, turning Pennywise into a well-known figure in popular culture. His unsettling smile and creepy personality frightened many viewers, solidifying Pennywise’s place as a lasting and iconic horror villain.

Almost thirty years after the original, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema brought Stephen King’s It back to theaters in a two-part movie directed by Andy Muschietti. The first film, released in 2017, was a huge success, earning over $700 million worldwide. It appealed to a wide audience, not just King’s fans, by combining a sense of nostalgia with relatable characters and genuinely frightening visuals.

The story of It is still captivating audiences with Welcome to Derry, a new series available on Max. This prequel explores the dark beginnings of Pennywise and the troubled past of Derry, Maine, revealing how the town’s fear makes the creature stronger. The ongoing popularity of the franchise demonstrates that Stephen King’s story is still powerfully unsettling, and that every choice made in bringing the terrifying clown to life has a lasting impact.

Will Poulter’s Exit Birthed Bill Skarsgård’s Pennywise

Before Bill Skarsgård became famous as Pennywise, the movie It faced many challenges during its development. In 2015, Cary Fukunaga, the director of True Detective, was set to direct, and Will Poulter, known for his roles in The Maze Runner and We’re the Millers, was chosen to play the terrifying clown. This casting was unexpected because Poulter, in his early twenties, was significantly younger than Tim Curry was when he originally played Pennywise. It seemed Fukunaga wanted a new, more energetic and unpredictable version of the character, rather than focusing on a traditionally menacing portrayal.

Cary Fukunaga initially envisioned a very dark, unsettling, and psychologically driven adaptation of It. Reports suggested his version would deeply explore the childhood trauma at the heart of Stephen King’s novel, focusing on its most disturbing elements. Bill Poulter, as Pennywise, would have been a frighteningly realistic monster – scary because of his quiet menace rather than jump scares. However, Fukunaga left the project in 2015 due to disagreements with the studio regarding the overall tone, budget, and who the film was intended for.

When Cary Fukunaga left the project, Andy Muschietti took over as director, bringing a fresh approach to the film. Muschietti aimed for a balance between big-budget thrills and classic horror, making it more mainstream and easier to enjoy. He wanted to capture the heartwarming feel of Stand by Me alongside the frightening atmosphere of The Exorcist. As the story and filmmaking process changed, the character of Pennywise also evolved.

By 2016, Bill Skarsgård had replaced Will Poulter as Pennywise in the upcoming It remake. The official explanation for the change was scheduling issues – Poulter had other projects he was committed to, and the delay caused by a new director made it difficult for him to continue. However, director Andrés Muschietti later suggested that Poulter was also hesitant about how dark the role had become. Playing such a terrifying character was emotionally challenging, and Poulter apparently felt the revised vision for the film didn’t match his own ideas for the character.

Bill Skarsgård joined the cast as Pennywise. The Swedish actor, who was gaining recognition for his work on Hemlock Grove, was chosen for the role in June 2016. Though only 26 years old, Skarsgård possessed a striking and somewhat unsettling presence, with a lean face that helped create a Pennywise who seemed both innocent and strangely not of this world. Director Andy Muschietti and Skarsgård worked together to reimagine the character, moving away from the over-the-top performance of Tim Curry and developing a more alien and menacing presence.

The 2017 release of It was a huge success with both viewers and critics. Bill Skarsgård’s portrayal of Pennywise was captivating and truly frightening. He made the character feel alien and unsettling with his disturbing grin, unfocused eyes, and unpredictable behavior—as if the clown was just mimicking humanity without truly understanding it. Reviewers applauded Skarsgård for adding a new, chilling dimension to a well-known character, and his performance quickly became the defining image of modern horror, setting the style and mood for the entire new series.

Looking back, replacing the original actor with Bill Skarsgård was one of the smartest choices the filmmakers ever made. While Poulter is talented, Skarsgård brought a special mix of innocence and creepiness that really suited the director’s dramatic vision. The strong connection between the actors playing the Losers’ Club also helped the movie become much better than anyone anticipated.

Before Skarsgård’s Pennywise, Tim Curry’s Take Traumatized a Generation

Before Bill Skarsgård’s frightening Pennywise appeared in theaters, Tim Curry’s performance in the 1990 miniseries was the one that most people remembered. Curry’s Pennywise initially seemed bright and playful—like a classic birthday party clown with a red nose and balloons. However, this cheerful exterior hid a truly cruel and malicious evil, making his portrayal incredibly memorable. Curry, a seasoned stage actor, brought a disturbingly realistic quality to the character, relying on his voice, delivery, and expressions to frighten audiences rather than special effects or makeup.

Tim Curry’s portrayal of Pennywise showcased what early television horror could – and couldn’t – achieve. Since special effects were limited, the production focused on building suspense and a creepy mood. This created a disturbingly realistic performance. Many viewers find Curry’s Pennywise particularly frightening because he feels like a genuinely unsettling person disguised as a clown.

Since its original portrayal, every version of Pennywise has been compared to Tim Curry’s iconic performance. The recent interpretations intentionally moved away from the friendly, showman-like character Curry created. This new Pennywise is presented as an inhuman and ancient entity, one that only pretends to understand people. The result is a character that feels colder, more primal, and ultimately, more frightening.

The difference between the portrayals of Pennywise by Tim Curry and Bill Skarsgård shows how horror movies have changed over time. Curry’s version was over-the-top and relied on dramatic acting, while Skarsgård’s is more grounded in realism and aims to create psychological fear. Both actors were effective for their time, and both capture the enduring horror of It: the idea that evil can appear in any form, but always thrives on fear. With each new adaptation, fans are seeing King’s story reimagined. The current series delves into the deeper mythology connecting these versions, exploring the repeating patterns of terror, the source of evil in Derry, and Pennywise’s place within it all. This demonstrates that King’s story isn’t limited by time, medium, or even the actor playing the clown.

When Will Poulter left the It project, it could have derailed the whole thing. But surprisingly, it ended up being a positive change for the series. With Cary Fukunaga also leaving and the story’s direction evolving, it created an opportunity for Bill Skarsgård to take over and become a truly iconic horror villain for a new audience.

The huge success of the movie It (2017) and its follow-up proved that a great creative team can turn a difficult project into a massive cultural hit. Bill Skarsgård’s portrayal of Pennywise is now considered one of the best horror performances ever, alongside Tim Curry’s – though different in style, it’s just as impactful. Both actors captured the deep, instinctive fear at the heart of Stephen King’s story: the idea that the fears we have as children don’t disappear, they just lie dormant, waiting to reappear when we’re vulnerable.

Read More

2025-11-04 00:39