Main Cast and Characters in Pennywise: The Story of It
The 2017 film Pennywise: The Story of It features a large ensemble cast led by Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. The story follows the Losers Club, a group of kids in Derry, Maine, who face the shape-shifting entity that preys on children every 27 years. The cast includes Jaeden Lieberher as Bill Denbrough, Jeremy Ray Taylor as Ben Hanscom, Sophia Lillis as Beverly Marsh, Finn Wolfhard as Richie Tozier, Wyatt Oleff as Stanley Uris, Chosen Jacobs as Mike Hanlon, and Nicholas Hamilton as Henry Bowers.
The adult versions of the Losers Club appear in the film's final act, with actors such as James Ransone as Eddie Kaspbrak, Jay Ryan as Ben Hanscom, and Jennifer Jason Leigh as Beverly Marsh. Bill Hader plays the adult Richie Tozier, and Tony Dakota appears as young Georgie Denbrough, whose encounter with Pennywise sets the story in motion. The film was directed by Andy Muschietti and produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema, with a screenplay by Gary Dauberman and Chase Palmer.
Behind the Scenes and Production Details
Casting Process and Character Preparation
Bill Skarsgård was cast as Pennywise after an extensive search for an actor who could bring a fresh, unsettling interpretation to the character originally portrayed by Tim Curry in the 1990 miniseries. Skarsgård worked with director Andy Muschietti and the makeup team to develop Pennywise's distinct physicality, including the elongated neck, sharp teeth, and predatory posture. The cast spent weeks rehearsing scenes together to build the chemistry required for the ensemble child and adult roles.
The production team filmed key scenes in Toronto, Canada, using practical effects combined with CGI to create Pennywise's transformations and the supernatural elements in Derry. The makeup and prosthetics for Pennywise were designed by Christien Tinsley and Sean Sansom, with Skarsgård spending hours in the makeup chair each day. The film's visual effects were handled by companies such as Rodeo FX and DNEG, contributing to the horror sequences involving Pennywise's lair and the storm drains.
Reception and Legacy of the Cast
Box Office Performance and Critical Response
Pennywise: The Story of It grossed over $700 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing horror films of its release period. Critics praised the performances of the young cast, particularly Jaeden Lieberher and Sophia Lillis, for balancing the film's emotional core with its horror elements. Bill Skarsgård's portrayal of Pennywise received widespread attention for its departure from Tim Curry's version, emphasizing a more alien and predatory presence.
The film's success led to a sequel, Chapter Two, which expanded the adult story and brought back several cast members. The Losers Club cast became a focal point for discussions about ensemble horror films and the representation of childhood trauma in modern cinema. The film's impact is also visible in its streaming performance and cultural references, with Pennywise remaining a prominent figure in horror media and merchandise tied to the Stephen King adaptations.