Portraying a personality as diabolical as one of many most sinister clowns in cinema–Pennywise the Dancing Clown–within the It movies is certain to depart a mark on any actor. For Invoice Skarsgård, the expertise seeped into his unconscious, manifesting in unsettling goals that might rival any script for the greatest horror films. Now, the Boy Kills World actor has revealed extra concerning the unusual, haunting goals he skilled after getting into the clown’s terrifying footwear.
Reflecting on his post-It expertise with Self-importance Honest, Skarsgård described how embodying the Stephen King creation left an sudden mark on his psyche. As he defined:
These goals had been so unusual. Both I used to be confronting Pennywise and I used to be upset with him, yelling at him—or I used to be Pennywise, however I used to be strolling round within the streets that I grew up on, and I’m like, No, no. I shouldn’t be out right here in public strolling round like this. This isn’t the way it’s presupposed to be completed. It was this bizarre factor the place I used to be attempting to separate myself from this factor, actually again within the place that I grew up in, in the identical condominium that I grew up in.
The concept of confronting Pennywise—and even turning into him—whereas roaming the acquainted streets of his childhood provides a surreal, psychological twist to the Clark performer’s expertise. It additionally exhibits that portraying one of many scariest trendy horror villains isn’t one thing you simply go away behind on set.
This isn’t the primary—or the final—time Invoice Skarsgård has dived headfirst right into a darkish and transformative position, however Pennywise? That was an entire different stage. Between the nightmare-inducing smile, the spine-chilling voice, and that downright unsettling physicality, it’s no shock that the character caught with him lengthy after the make-up got here off.
The Satan All The Time star has a well-documented love for transformation in his performances. Whether or not it was taking part in an autistic teen early in his profession, the vengeful outcast in The Crow, or his newest monstrous flip as Rely Orlok in Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu remake, the Barbarian star retains proving he’s not afraid to go to the darkish aspect—and we’re all higher (and extra terrified) for it.
Humorous sufficient, the John Wick: Chapter 4 performer revealed that regardless of the lingering results of the killer clown, he’s most petrified of his upcoming take on the long-lasting vampire. In line with the actor, this position took him even farther from his personal persona than Pennywise did, requiring rigorous voice work and motion research, together with a dive into “corpse dancing” methods.
However staying in a single lane? That is not Invoice Skarsgård’s model. Whereas he’s definitely made a reputation for himself exploring monstrous and darkish characters, the actor has his eyes set on increasing his vary, teasing future ventures into gritty dramas and even darkish comedies. Irrespective of the position—or the psychological toll that comes with it—the Swedish star is all about pushing his limits, and actually, we’re right here for it.
For now, followers can marvel at Skarsgård’s skill to completely embrace the darkness—even when it sneaks into his goals. Need to relive his killer clown days? Each It chapters are streaming with a Max subscription. And if you happen to’re prepared for extra spooky from the Citadel Rock veteran, Nosferatu lands a spot on the 2024 film schedule this Christmas, December 25. Who wants vacation cheer if you’ve obtained vampiric upcoming horror films?