Bill Skarsgard set to return as insidious clown Pennywise in ‘IT’ prequel 'World of Derry'

‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ star Bill Skarsgard was the successor of Tim Curry who played Pennywise in an Emmy winning mini series in 1990. (Image via X)

The ‘Boy Kills World’ star Bill Skarsgard will grace our screens once again as the terrifyingly maniacal clown of Derry in the ‘IT’ prequel titled ‘World of Derry’.

He will be coming to terrorise children (and let’s be honest, adults) in this prequel of the Stephen King adaptation. Skarsgard will also serve as the producer of the Warner Bros. Television produced prequel series.

He played the role of the impish clown Pennywise in the hit film ‘IT’ (2017) and its sequel ‘IT: Chapter 2’ (2019).

‘World of Derry’ was first announced in February 2023. Andres Muschietti, who directed the two films, developed the project for a television series, alongside Barbara Muschietti, who also worked on both films, and Jason Fuchs, who produced and acted in the sequel ‘IT: Chapter 2’.

Stephen King expressed his delight over the prequel series, "I'm excited that the story of Derry, Maine's most haunted city, is continuing, and I'm glad Andy Muschietti is going to be overseeing the frightening festivities, along with a brain trust including his talented sister, Barbara. Red balloons all around!”

"As teenagers, we took turns reading chapters of Stephen King's It until the thick paperback fell to pieces. It is an epic story that contains multitudes, far beyond what we could explore in our It movies. We can't wait to share the depths of Steve's novel, in all its heart, humour, humanity and horror,” the Muschietti siblings added.

‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ star Bill Skarsgard was the successor of Tim Curry who played Pennywise in an Emmy winning mini series in 1990.

Skarsgard, when asked about other actors playing Pennywise after him had this to say, "If someone else gets to do it, my advice would be: Do it your own. Make it your own. Have fun with it. What I found pleasurable about that character is how abstract he was.”

Bill Skarsgard will be next seen in Robbert Eggers directed ‘Nosferatu’ starring alongside Lily Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe and Nicholas Hoult. Skarsgard will be appearing as Count Orlok. The film reimagines the 1922 silent film of the same name which is inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Skarsgard is known for his immersive portrayals, especially of creepy villains. Although, Count Orlok’s look is being kept a secret as of now, Skarsgard describes the character as “gross.”

“He’s gross, but it's very sexualised. It’s playing with a sexual fetish about the power of the monster and what that appeal has to you. Hopefully you’ll get a little bit attracted by it and disgusted by your attraction at the same time,” he said.

‘Nosferatu’ hits theatres on 25 December.