Last month brought us a first look at Pennywise, the creepy clown at the heart of Andres Muschietti's It reboot. If you thought that close-up shot was eerie - and it absolutely was - wait until you see this latest reveal from EW:
This new image takes a step back, showing actor Bill Skarsgard head-to-toe looking like a sinister carnival barker from another century. Yes, this is not the same Pennywise as immortalised in the 1990 TV movie. According to costume designer Janie Bryant that was a deliberate move. The idea of blending together a variety of eras for his outfit is to represent his timeless nature. “The costume definitely incorporates all these otherworldly past lives, if you will,” she says. “He is definitely a clown from a different time.”
“There is almost a doll-like quality to the costume,” she explains, referring to the offbeat mode of his attire. “The pants being short, the high waistline of the jacket, and the fit of the costume is a very important element. It gives the character a child-like quality.” It's certainly a wise move making this updated version separate from his predecessor.
The most significant departure from Tim Curry's take on the iconic clown is of course the color. Gone are the lurid, bright tones of his sewer-dwelling villain, replaced by darker hues. “It makes him almost like a shadow." Shadow or not, that smile plastered over his chops is clearly visible, suggesting that he's already stolen your wallet... and probably has plans to steal your soul as well. He might look creepy in still form, but the true test will come when the first teaser arrives, giving us a proper look at Skarsgard in action.
Directed by Andres Muschietti and starring Bill Skarsgard, Finn Wolfhard, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Jaden Lieberher, Owen Teague, It opens on September 8, 2017 in the US with a UK date yet to be confirmed.
Images: EW, Warner Bros.
