MOVIE NEWS – Jason Fuchs, co-creator of IT: Welcome to Derry, has finally revealed what convinced Bill Skarsgård to return as Pennywise. Although the actor had already delivered two unforgettable performances in the feature films, it was far from guaranteed that he would reprise the role for a horror prequel. According to Fuchs, it took real persuasion — and something genuinely new — to bring him back.

Speaking to The King Beat via CinemaBlend, Fuchs explained that Skarsgård’s return was anything but a given. The actor has deep respect for Andy and Barbara Muschietti, and a clear love for the It universe, but he also felt he had already fully explored the character across two films. “It wasn’t as simple as saying, ‘Hey, we’re doing an It prequel series, come play Pennywise.’ The question was: what’s different this time? What can he explore that he hasn’t done before?”

Ultimately, it was the material in episodes six, seven, and eight that won him over. Fuchs says Skarsgård was especially intrigued by the chance to portray Pennywise’s It-manifestation in a new light, as well as the opportunity to play Bob Gray, the human clown whom It encountered in 1908, shown at the beginning of episode seven. This deeper mythology and dual identity appear to have been the key factors that reignited his interest in the character.

Could the ‘It’ Universe Survive Without Skarsgård’s Pennywise?

Fuchs admits that Skarsgård’s hesitation pushed the creative team to raise their own standards: “It set a high bar for us as creators. How do we create something worthy of Bill’s return? When he finally said yes, it felt like a major victory — because without him, there was no Welcome to Derry.”

While the first few episodes of the show functioned without Pennywise on screen, sustaining that momentum in the long term is another story. Stephen King’s universe offers countless horrors, but Pennywise remains the central attraction — the reason many viewers tune in. His absence would fundamentally shift the tone and expectations of the series.

The world of It could theoretically continue without him, but should it? For mass appeal, narrative power, and sheer iconography, Pennywise remains the franchise’s most vital asset. If future seasons happen, the creative team may have to confront whether the show can stand without Skarsgård — or if the story simply isn’t the same without its most terrifying clown.

Source: MovieWeb