IT: 6 Ways Bill Skarsgard Got Into Character

2. Reading The Source Material

Bill Skarsgard It
New Line Cinema

Above all other forms of preparation, Bill Skarsgard's reading of the original 1986 novel is perhaps the most important. Skarsgard, a dedicated and talented actor, wanted to truly understand the source material of the character he was portraying, leading to him picking up the novel. He read It and all its 1200 pages in under 10 days, proving his commitment to playing Pennywise.

The 2017 movie focuses on the first half of the book, describing the Losers Club's initial triumph over Pennywise. The planned sequel will focus on the second half, in which the Losers return to Derry as adults to finish off the demonic creature once and for all, fulfilling their promise to each other at the end of It.

Having read the entire novel, Skarsgard appears to have a jumpstart on portraying Pennywise once again, with his understanding of the book offering hints and inspiration for his performance in the first movie, and the one yet to come.

Skarsgard's methods of preparing for his role in It are impressive and show his dedication to acting and the art of entertainment. A lot of work went into his depiction and it has paid off, launching the Swedish actor into stardom.

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Ryan Geller is a freelance journalist who writes news, politics, gaming, and more. He is dedicated to the goal of unbiased journalism and independent thinking.