How Bill Skarsgård Made His Child Co-Stars Feel Comfortable on Set While Playing Pennywise

Bill Skarsgård, who portrayed the terrifying clown Pennywise in the film adaptations of It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019), was aware that his character could be extremely frightening to the child actors like Jaeden Martell, Sophia Lillis, and others. To create a safe and comfortable filming environment, he applied several thoughtful approaches:

1. Separating the Character from Himself: Skarsgård often stayed out of character when not filming. He avoided interacting in the Pennywise costume except in front of the camera, so the kids knew that "Pennywise" was just fiction.

2. Friendly Initial Introduction: Before filming began, he met with the child actors without makeup or costume. He played games, joked around, and built personal relationships so they saw him as "kind-hearted Bill," not a monster.

3. Open Communication: Skarsgård spoke directly with the children about the acting process, explaining that the scary expressions were just "acting" and he would return to normal after "cut." He also sought permission from parents and the director for this approach.

4. Humor Behind the Scenes: Between takes, he often joked or did silly things to lighten the mood, like dancing or making funny sounds, so the kids laughed instead of feeling scared.

This approach not only helped the children stay comfortable but also enhanced their performances because they could react naturally to Pennywise without emotional trauma. Skarsgård once said in an interview that he wanted to ensure "they knew I was a friend, not an enemy."