Bill Skarsgård Reveals Unsettling Effects of Pennywise Voice
Bill Skarsgård discusses the unexpected impact of developing Pennywise’s chilling voice for the 2017 adaptation of It, and how his unique approach set him apart from Tim Curry’s iconic portrayal.
When Bill Skarsgård was cast as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the 2017 adaptation of It, he was hardly a household name. The prospect of stepping into such a notorious role left him understandably anxious, but his performance quickly silenced any doubts. In a conversation with Variety, Skarsgård described the process of finding the character’s distinctive voice, which proved to be a rather peculiar experience.
Finding Pennywise’s Voice
Skarsgård explained that his approach to the clown’s voice began with experimenting with laughter, aiming for a sound that teetered between panic and tears.
The voice for me sort of started out with a laugh. I was playing around with a laugh, but on the verge of a panic attack and crying at the same time. When I started doing it just by myself, I started to creep myself out.
He recounted a particularly amusing incident involving an excessive amount of fizzy drinks to help achieve the right vocal tone, which led to a bout of belching and a rather uncomfortable stomach. Skarsgård was determined to create a version of Pennywise that felt entirely his own.
Interpreting the Character from Page to Screen
To prepare for the role, Skarsgård read Stephen King’s sprawling 1,100-page novel, delving into the complexities of the otherworldly antagonist. This deep dive allowed him to explore the character’s alien nature and bring a fresh perspective to the screen.
It’s almost like there are glitches in the interpretation of it. I thought that was a fun thing to explore. So there was the wall-eyed look and at times it seems like Pennywise disappears altogether, he shuts down and freezes in a moment and he’s lost.
Director Andy Muschietti also recognised something special in Skarsgård’s portrayal, noting,
the way that he incorporated the presence of the other side into the performance is fantastic.
The 2017 film, directed by Muschietti and based on King’s 1986 novel, is set in Derry, Maine, during the late 1980s. The cast includes Jaeden Martell, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Wyatt Oleff. Pennywise, as brought to life by Skarsgård, is the central menace, with the film running for 135 minutes and produced by New Line Cinema and Vertigo Entertainment.
Stepping Out of Tim Curry’s Shadow
Skarsgård faced the challenge of following Tim Curry’s memorable turn as Pennywise in the 1990 television miniseries. Curry, already celebrated for his villainous roles in the 1990s, set a high bar with his terrifying performance, particularly in the infamous sewer scene that left a lasting impression on viewers of all ages.
Despite the inevitable comparisons, Skarsgård made a conscious decision not to imitate his predecessor.
didn’t see a point in trying to emulate that because I don’t think I could do it as well as he [Tim Curry] did.
Instead, he opted for a distinct interpretation, which proved to be just as haunting in its own right. His portrayal has since become a defining element of the franchise, with Skarsgård reprising the role in It Chapter 2 and the HBO Max series IT: Welcome to Derry. Under Muschietti’s direction, the series has taken on a psychological edge that honours the spirit of King’s original work.
All entries in the It franchise are currently available to stream on HBO Max in the United States.