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The Death Of Robin Hood Reviews Are Making Comparisons To An Unexpected Hugh Jackman Film (And I Can't Wait)

Heidi Venable — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:26:41 +0000

We’ve seen several movies over the years that show us a reimagining of a character or story we thought we knew, and A24's The Death of Robin Hood is set to hit the 2026 movie calendar to do just that with the titular outlaw. On the opposite end of the spectrum that gave us animated foxes and men in tights is Hugh Jackman’s brutal version of the legendary archer. What I'm especially excited about, though, are critics' comparisons to another Jackman movie.

The Death of Robin Hood violently shoots down the familiar image of a man who stole from the rich to give to the poor, instead painting the protagonist as a wounded man who’s now grappling with a life spent satisfying an insatiable bloodlust. It’s not unlike what we saw from Hugh Jackman in Logan, Brandon David Wilson of RogerEbert says in his review of The Death of Robin Hood, down to his being forced to care for a little girl. The critic rates it 3.5 out of 4 stars, writing:

His Robin Hood is one of the most interesting takes on the character in recent memory. He handles Hood’s steely resolve to survive, his willingness to commit atrocities, and his regrets with grace. The film, in the end, seems to also be about the medieval equivalent to being cancelled. Robin Hood’s third act heroism is notable, not for the acts of violence he commits, but the way he submits himself for judgment when he could have avoided it altogether. For once, a Robin Hood film has come along that challenges us to think about what redemption costs.

Jim Vejvoda of IGN gives it a “Good” 7 out of 10 for an astonishing cast that includes Jodie Comer, Bill Skarsgård, Murray Bartlett and Noah Jupe, gory kills and artsy drama from writer/director Michael Sarnoski. However, the “Logan of Robin Hood movies,” as the critic calls it, is more niche and less accessible than Sarnoski’s previous two projects — Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One. Vejvoda writes:

The Death of Robin Hood ably mixes the meditative myth-busting of Unforgiven, the medieval ultra-violence of The Northman, and the dreary Celtic aesthetic of The Green Knight. Yet the film also benefits to a large degree from the enduring memory of Jackman’s other, better ‘violent badass cursed by his past’ film, Logan. Instead of adamantium claws, he uses a knife and a bow and arrow to eviscerate his foes. While that doesn’t diminish Jackman’s performance as Robin Hood, I could never quite shake the knowledge that I’ve seen him do this all before.

Guy Lodge of Variety says The Death of Robin Hood is “exquisitely crafted and emotionally intelligent” but almost wears its dourness as a badge of honor. He continues:

Beautifully shot and designed in a full rainbow of earth and stone and sackcloth, and performed with grace and conviction by Jackman and a well-chosen ensemble — including Jodie Comer as a stoic abbess nursing our man, if not to health, at least to peace — this is a production of unimpeachable integrity and intelligence, and a commendably mature bit of summer counter-programming from distributor A24.

Jacob Oller of AV Club gives it a C and says it’s more than Hugh Jackman’s wild facial hair that likens The Death of Robin Hood to Logan, as it follows in the trend of eating away at the fables that brought us to the characters in the first place, just like Jackman did with Wolverine in Logan. Oller says:

Jackman channels some of that same weariness, where violence is a second nature he just can’t shake, and grapples with the same kind of surrogate fatherhood in The Death Of Robin Hood. But the legendary bandit’s grey-haired reckoning isn’t a reluctant spectacle, nor does it pull our heartstrings as taut as his faithful bow. It’s a slow drip towards the end, reality running out like blood from a vein, leaving only a body of stories behind. But without a compelling narrative or affecting emotions at its core, the subversion is often as shallow as the legend.

Kristy Puchko of Mashable also notes several similarities between The Death of Robin Hood and Logan, but says in the upcoming A24 movie, Hugh Jackman’s character has less rage and therefore less energy. The attempt to rewrite this centuries-old character is “bleak, brutal, and boring” with “truly repulsive onscreen violence.” Puchko says:

It's impossible to watch The Death of Robin Hood and not think of Logan. Both films star Hugh Jackman, and both mar his leading-man good looks with old age makeup, scars, and mangy facial hair. In each, he plays an anti-hero whose legend is one of noble heroism but whose reality is a trail of senseless carnage. And in both, his withered humanity is revived by protecting an orphaned girl. In this comparison, The Death of Robin Hood only suffers.

While the critics don’t all agree, the reviews of Death of Robin Hood seem to be mostly positive, as so far it’s earned a 73% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. It definitely sounds like an interesting story — if one we’ve seen Hugh Jackman portray before — but how good audiences are going to feel afterward remains to be seen.

If you want to give it a shot, The Death of Robin Hood hits theaters on Friday, June 19.

Bill Skarsgård Was ‘Hesitant’ About Returning As Pennywise In Welcome To Derry. What Convinced Him

Ryan LaBee — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 19:48:02 +0000

When It: Chapter Two wrapped up its big-screen run, it felt like Bill Skarsgård had very intentionally closed the book on Pennywise. The two films were massive hits, the character became instantly iconic and the performance helped launch the actor into a much wider range of roles. So, when word broke that he’d be returning for HBO’s It: Welcome to Derry, streaming with an HBO Max subscription, the natural assumption was that the decision came easily. It didn’t, and here’s what convinced him to suit back up.

Based on comments Skarsgård shared in an interview with Screen Rant, the actor was actually hesitant about revisiting the character at all. Speaking while promoting his crime biopic, Dead Man’s Wire, the actor admitted that his concerns stemmed from the success of the original films. After two well-received movies, he wasn’t sure a television series was necessary, or whether it risked stretching the mythology too thin:

We did the two movies, and they were very successful… you don't want to milk this one out with a TV show that might not live up to the success of the previous films.

This isn't the first time Bill Skarsgård's reluctance to reprise his role as the demonic clown has been discussed. Series co-creator Andy Muschietti previously discussed the challenges of getting Skarsgård to sign on. Likewise, showrunner Jason Fuchs said convincing the actor was no small feat.

What ultimately changed his mind was the wild new approach to the character. Once Skarsgård saw how Welcome to Derry planned to use Pennywise, rather than simply repeating what audiences had already seen, his reservations began to ease. The HBO prequel is set decades before the events of the films, focusing on one of the creature’s earlier feeding cycles in 1962. That shift opened the door to new angles, new mythology and crucially, new sides of Pennywise himself.

The Nosferatu star explained that the material allowed him and director Muschietti to explore aspects of the character that hadn’t previously been on screen. He continued:

I feel that, in the end, we explored some parts of Pennywise that we hadn't seen before or hadn't done. Andy and I always have fun together, and I think that we did those aspects of it. Even with Pennywise's performance, there was like, ‘Okay, here's a juicy scene, and you see something else from Pennywise, or more of him.’ I had fun with those scenes, for sure.

The Barbarian actor's hesitation also makes sense when viewed through the lens of career strategy. Even the best horror movie icons have a way of sticking to actors, sometimes to their detriment. Skarsgård has spent the years since It deliberately expanding his range, from genre films to prestige projects, and committing too hard to Pennywise again risked pulling him back into a single lane. Derry, however, didn’t require him to anchor the entire series, allowing Pennywise to remain powerful without dominating the narrative.

(Image credit: HBO)

That balance appears to have paid off. The series debuted to largely positive reactions, with critics and audiences praising how it expanded on the original book-to-screen adaptation and Stephen King’s original novel interludes into a full story rather than being a simple cash-in. Even longtime skeptics softened once King himself voiced support for the project, and the show quickly became a ratings hit for HBO and HBO Max, particularly by the season finale.

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In hindsight, Skarsgård said he was more nervous going into the project than coming out of it. The experience turned out to be fun, creatively rewarding, and far less limiting than he initially feared. It also hasn’t slowed him down elsewhere. Between Dead Man’s Wire, his upcoming role in The Death of Robin Hood, and openness to future seasons of Welcome to Derry, it’s clear Pennywise hasn’t trapped him.

Dead Man’s Wire premiered in theaters on January 9 as part of the 2026 movie schedule and received a warm response from both critics and audiences. The Gus Van Sant–directed crime thriller is inspired by the real-life 1977 hostage standoff involving Tony Kiritsis, with Skarsgård starring as Kiritsis alongside Dacre Montgomery, Cary Elwes, Myha’la, Colman Domingo, and Al Pacino. Be sure to check out that film and, if you still want to see Bill Skarsgård's work in the It films or Welcome to Derry, head on over to HBO Max now!

How Bill Skarsgård Views His Transformation For Dead Man’s Wire Compared To The Extremes He Went To For IT And Nosferatu

Eric Eisenberg — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 02:22:09 +0000

It’s a funny thing that one can potentially be a fan of Bill Skarsgård without actually knowing what he looks like. After all, two of his most famous roles – Pennywise in the IT franchise and Count Orlok in Nosferatu – have him featured in heavy makeup and prosthetics that make him utterly unrecognizable. He has delivered remarkable performances when his appearance is wholly transformed… but how does his preparation compare for a film like Gun Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire, which sees him undergo a much more subtle change in his look?

I got the answer to that question earlier this week, and to my surprise, the answer is “not very much.” I had the pleasure of interviewing Skarsgård during a virtual press day for his new movie (which arrives in theaters this weekend), and I asked him how his work changes when he’s not going to extremes in his appearance. He explained that while he plays a real person in Dead Man’s Wire instead of a transdimensional entity that takes the form of a clown, his personal method is very much a reflection of how he first brought Pennywise to life nearly a decade ago. Said the actor,

I was 26 when we did the first IT movie, so it is fair to say that I was pretty young and that was pretty early in my career. And then the progression of that – Pennywise or Orlok or whatever I've done, these big prosthetic creatures and monsters, and I really enjoy it. What I enjoy the most is absolutely not the application of the prosthetics, which is tedious, but I enjoy the sort of freedom of creating something, playing, finding a voice and recording yourself, listening back and using nuance. The whole abstract creative process of playing creatures is really fun. And then I think it's colored how I play other characters now.

In the case of Dead Man’s Wire, Bill Skarsgård stars in the film as Tony Kiritsis, who made headlines in 1977 when he took his mortgage broker hostage, believing that there was a plan in place to screw him out of property he owned. In the movie as in real life, the whole event becomes a massive spectacle, with Tony earning support from members of the public who are likewise sick of being exploited and screwed over in an unfair system.

Skarsgård sports a different haircut and a mustache as Tony, and he is outfitted in period-appropriate garb – which is obviously not the same kind of transformation as turning into Pennywise. Still, he told me that he still took a matching approach with a focus on finding the right voice for the performance. He continued,

With this one, Tony was a real guy, so there was a lot of footage and a lot of recordings of his voice and accent and how he sounded and cadence and rhythm of how he spoke. And some of the dialogue is verbatim, things that were recorded of the real guy saying, so you could listen back.

For the actor, understanding the way a character speaks is understanding who they are and where they are from, and he made it clear that he gets a kick out of that part of the process. He concluded,

I bring that into every character. The character should sound like he's from that place that he's from, and it's an aspect of performing I think is fun – finding a voice of a character, whether it is a creature or a real man like Tony. And of course, yeah, there was the mustache and the haircut (laugh). There was stuff which I also think is fun, and not all characters are like that. Some, like the one I'm doing now, is pretty, you know, closer to myself; I think certainly look-wise. But Tony was definitely a sort of a particular guy that I got the chance to portray.

(He’s likely referencing writer/director Andrew Niccol’s Lords Of War, which sees him starring opposite Nicolas Cage and began production last month).

The method is certainly working out, as Bill Skarsgård continues to earn great acclaim for his work – very much including Dead Man’s Wire. Co-starring Dacre Montgomery, Al Pacino, Cary Elwes, Myha’la and Colman Domingo, the movie had premieres last fall at both the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, and it is now playing in theaters everywhere.

Bill Skarsgård Has A Wild New Way To Approach Pennywise After Welcome To Derry Season 1, Explaining How Stephen King Left The Door Open For Interpretation

Eric Eisenberg — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 17:05:00 +0000

One of the great pleasures I’ve had during my tenure at CinemaBlend has been covering the full scope of the modern IT adaptations. Back in 2017, I remember asking Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Wyatt Oleff, Jaeden Martell, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, and Jack Dylan Grazer about who they wanted to play their adult counterparts in the sequel, and in 2019, I asked those same stars about potentially being part of a 2044 remake of IT: Chapter 2. And late last year, I got to talk to the main cast of IT: Welcome To Derry Season 1, and I got into the weeds about the future of the show with co-showrunner Jason Fuchs.

In the last decade, the only key figure involved with the franchise I never spoke to was Pennywise himself, Bill Skårsgard – but that changed earlier this week.

I spoke with the actor on Monday during a virtual press day for his new movie Dead Man’s Wire, and I made a point of using part of my time to discuss his work on IT: Welcome To Derry. His commentary is the core of this week’s edition of The King Beat, as he discussed his whole new way to look at his most beloved character.

After IT: Welcome To Derry Season 1, Bill Skarsgård Talks Wrapping His Mind Around Pennywise In A Whole New Way

SPOILER WARNING: Before we go any further, know that there are major spoilers for IT: Welcome To Derry Season 1 dead ahead. If you have not yet caught up with the show, use your HBO Max subscription to do so and then get back here!

When it came to reprising his role as Pennywise in IT: Welcome To Derry, Bill Skarsgård was particularly drawn to the project by one key element: the tale of Bob Gray. While the titular IT has existed on Earth for eons, the HBO series offered the actor the opportunity to explore the story behind how the entity took on his dancing clown persona.

Now, of course, that story has been told… but thanks to the show’s Season 1 finale, there’s a whole new special angle to explore: the fascinating way that IT perceives time, and the fact that its consciousness will be be running opposite the reverse chronological plans for yet-to-be-confirmed future seasons (the principal setting shifting from 1962 to 1935 to 1908).

As captured in the video above, I asked Bill Skarsgård about the Welcome To Derry revelation, and he smiled as he discussed his conversations about it with co-creator/producer/director Andy Muschietti – acknowledging the absolute wildness of the character as originally defined by the mind of Stephen King. He began,

I was speaking to Andy, and he was kind of telling me the sort of arc of the show, and then I was like, 'Alright, ok, so what's...' – what I speak about is like what's the Pennywise thing and the IT thing of it all. And I mean, it's so, so abstract, this transdimensional evil being thing with a spider and a turtle or whatever. It is really out there.

If you’ve read IT, you know precisely what he’s talking about. King’s writing is typically very clear and illustrative (King's first editor Bill Thompson liked to say he “has a movie projector in his head”), but there are certain sequences in the epic 1986 novel that challenge the imagination to keep up with its strangest ideas. Thus far, the adaptations have really only skimmed the origins of the titular monster, involving the Macroverse and his great battle with Maturin the turtle.

Continuing, Skarsgård noted that when it comes to the adaptation’s interpretation of the character, all bets are pretty much off, referencing that even Stephen King isn’t really a perfect source for an absolute truth due to the substance abuse issues that the author was dealing with at the time the novel was spilling out of his brain:

I mean, reading the book, as you know, I mean, you can interpret it in a thousand different ways, and I'm pretty sure that Stephen King doesn't really know. I mean there's rumors that he doesn't remember writing much of it because he was, you know, in a stimulated mind during it (laugh).

The big revelation in discussion here is featured in the IT: Welcome To Derry Season 1 finale after Pennywise successfully manages to isolate Marge Truman (Matilda Lawler) from her friends. The blood-covered clown tells the terrified girl that she will one day become Margaret Tozier and have a boy named Richie who will contribute to its death… or is it its birth? In that moment, we understand that the transdimensional evil doesn’t experience time like a human being.

Skarsgård was hesitant about getting too deep into spoilers from his conversations with Muschietti, not wanting to ruin anything that may potentially come in the future of the show, but how Pennywise perceives time was apparently a notable part of their conversation:

There is this transdimensional thing, and it was just something that I talked to... I'm like, like, 'How do you...' I don't know how much I'm spoiling now, but I was just like, 'We're going back in time, but what's time to something that is not part of this dimension?' I'm not gonna spoil, but I thought that was an interesting thing, that the character is kind of going in two directions. So that's kind of where that came from.

While the collaboration conjured the idea of Pennywise’s unique temporal perspective, Bill Skarsgård gave full credit to Andy Muschietti for the idea of having the evil clown unfurl a Richie Tozier missing person flyer as a callback to IT: Chapter One. He added,

We just really explored it in that one scene where he is like that kind of, 'Time is confusing to little Pennywise' moment. And then Andy decided like to really hit that on its head with the Richie Tozier [missing person flyer] – like, he brings up that thing. So it's like an homage, it's just call out to the fans of the movies. But it's just quite interesting. The show is not about any of that. You know, there's a whole season about... which is the whole story that Pennywise isn't that much involved in, so just kind of this like little bookend thing, how we ended it.

As for where things go from here, that answer is complicated – and that’s even putting aside the fact that fans are still awaiting official news of an IT: Welcome To Derry renewal. In one of the final scenes of Season 1, Marge discusses Pennywise’s comments with Clara Stack’s Lilly Bainbridge and wonders if the shapeshifter could be targeting the family trees of the group we know as The Losers Club, potentially changing its fate in the process. Could that be what’s in store as the focus shifts to 1935 for Season 2 and the show ultimately adapts the infamous Bradley Gang massacre?

Bill Skarsgård doesn’t have the answers as of yet, but he made it clear that he is intrigued by this new direction for his iconic horror villain and the specialness of him being more in sync with the television audience than the citizens of Derry whom it is terrorizing. He concluded,

I'm not sure where we're going with it. But you know, there's something fun to explore that Pennywise might be going backwards, but it's forward for him just as it is for the audience. We have to go and wait, you know, two years for each season or whatever. (laugh).

That last bit is perhaps the most frustrating thing about a delayed announcement for the future of IT: Welcome To Derry (be it a single season renewal or the greenlight to fully execute the three-season plan). The longer we wait for a Season 2 to be made official, the longer we have to wait for wheels to roll into motion and for new episodes to start getting made. As suggested by Skarsgård, it feels unlikely that we’ll see a new run before 2027, and demonstrating patience is going to be rough.

For now, fans will have to settle for satiating themselves with the material we have: Stephen King’s novel and the adaptations IT: Chapter One, IT: Chapter Two and IT: Welcome To Derry Season 1. All three of the latter are currently streaming on HBO Max, and while only the movies are now available in physical media formats, the series will be getting a 4K UHD and Blu-ray release this spring.

That wraps up this week’s very special edition of The King Beat, but this column’s 2026 run is only just beginning. As always, I’ll be back here on CinemaBlend next week with a new feature exploring new developments in the world of Stephen King (perpetually keeping fingers crossed for a Welcome To Derry renewal) – but for those of you looking for something to read in the meantime can explore the full history of the author’s adaptations with my series Adapting Stephen King.

Getting To Work With Stephen King Led To 'An Ace' Up The IT: Welcome To Derry Creators' 'Sleeves,' And It All Had To Do With Bob Gray

Nick Venable — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:42:38 +0000

Spoilers below for everything we’ve seen so far in IT: Welcome to Derry Season 1, so be warned if you haven’t been watching on HBO or streaming via HBO Max subscription.

The back half of IT: Welcome to Derry’s first season has changed up audiences’ previous understanding of Stephen King’s Clown Prince of Evil, while adding further context to the two big-screen features from Andy Muschietti. Bill Skarsgård’s return to Derry wasn’t just about reprising the role of Pennywise, as he also brought the long-mysterious entity “Bob Gray” to life for the first time in Episode 7, expanding IT’s origin story to the point when Pennywise first entered the picture. (Not that there aren’t still questions.)

Bringing such massive changes to this iconic and beloved narrative universe wasn’t a task that the co-creators and showrunners took lightly, knowing that there was potentially more risk than reward in such an act. But IT: Welcome to Derry is all about building upon what already existed, and the creative team was lucky enough to have the progenitor himself, Stephen King, as a litmus test springboard for their ideas. Speaking to ScreenRant, co-showrunner Jason Fuchs talked about the major plus of having the legendary author as a welcoming muse, saying:

The blessing of having Stephen King as a partner and a collaborator in a show like this is that we don't have to have those fears go unanswered. We can have the safety net that is Stephen King to go to and say, ‘Here's what we're thinking. What if this is the story? What if this is the reason?’ And so, as much as we approached it with excitement and trepidation, we also knew that we had an ace up our sleeves in Stephen King there to tell us if we were we were generally scratching in a direction that felt right to him.

(Image credit: HBO)

Hearing that, I would generally LOVE to know what some of the ideas might have been that would make Stephen King balk and shake his head to the point of it spinning right off of his shoulders. I wonder if there even is an adaptation idea so godawful that he would shut it down right on the spot: "What if we paired Pennywise up with Nickelback and a Quarter-pounder?"

Even with King's support and guidance, Fuchs & Co. were still dealing with a rather bizarre issue stemming out of the sequel IT: Chapter Two, where it wasn't entirely clear how much of Mrs. Kersh's conversation with Bev was pure batshit, and how much of it could actually have been sourced in reality. Here's how he explained it:

Bob Gray was a classic case of that. Because you think about Bob Gray in the context of the films, it's very unclear how much is real and how much is not. In the movies, we get the story that IT tells Beverly Marsh in Chapter Two, when it has taken the form of Mrs. Kersh. She's telling Beverly about her father, the clown, and how he came over. But is that real? Is that a true story, or is that a story IT has made up? Was there really a Bob Gray, or is that a part of the lie altogether? Those are the questions we were interested in.

Episode 7 did indeed confirm that Bob Gray was a cig-smoking widow performing for carnival crowds with his daughter Ingrid, whose apparent dream was to become the doting on-stage partner her mother was under the moniker Periwinkle. One night, Bob is approached by the form of a young boy, and is swayed into following the boy into the woods, never to return in human form again. Tragically enough, Ingrid spent the next 54 years waiting to see him again, only to finally discover that she'd been wrong all this time.

While we don't necessarily see yet how Bob Gray gets taken over, or how IT originally took over the child, Jason Fuchs did speak to the overall inspiration behind why the in-costume Pennywise was chosen as the next human vessel. As he put it:

I think among those questions we were interested in, there was also: Why Pennywise the Dancing Clown? If you think about the choices IT makes, in the context of the manifestations it takes, they're very specific to the personalized fears of the victim it is preying upon. Well, not everyone's afraid of clowns. I am, but there must be something beyond the fear component. And it occurred to us that what Georgie is brought in by at the beginning of the book is not fear. Georgie, it seems, has a little concern at the pit of his stomach that this might not go well, but he's lured in by the presence of Pennywise. It's attractive to a kid. He's talking about popcorn and the circus and all these things.

It's an interesting point, even if I think seeing a clown smoking out of character would be bothersome enough to make a kid NOT want to walk up to him. But I guess this isn't a normal kid we're talking about.

Now that we've gone back to the time when Pennywise and IT first crossed paths, I can't wait to see what the creative team has in store for the upcoming finale, which could very well turn into my favorite thing on the 2025 TV schedule. Will it set up Andy Muschietti's goal for a three-season prequel exploration, or will it feature a more closed-off ending? (Yeah right.)

Find out when IT: Welcome to Derry Season 1 concludes on HBO on Sunday, December 14 at 9:00 p.m.

IT: Welcome To Derry Episode 5 Delivered Some Big Easter Eggs Along With Pennywise's Arrival, And I'm Puzzling Over That IT: Chapter 2 Connection

Nick Venable — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 03:01:49 +0000

Spoilers below for anyone who hasn’t watched IT: Welcome to Derry’s fifth episode on HBO or via HBO Max subscription, so be warned!

We’re now past the halfway point for IT: Welcome to Derry, so Bill Skarsgärd’s fashionably late arrival as Pennywise was a very welcome treat, even if some fans out there may not have liked waiting quite so long for it. The clown-painted entity showed up in the most fitting of places, and in the most fittingly named episode. But like some of the characters in this ep, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Given that a substantial amount of the runtime went into setting up the military’s mission and the human-puppet plan that Pennywise used to get the kids in the sewer, this particular installment was seemingly not nearly as peppered with easter eggs and callbacks to Stephen King’s works as those that came before. Yet one specific connection to Andy Muschietti’s own Chapter 2 may be the most baffling one yet!

Check Out All The Other IT: Welcome To Derry Easter Eggs We Found

(Image credit: HBO Max)

The 29 Niebolt St. Mission

The house on Niebolt St. was a key location in Stephen King’s novel where some truly freaky moments went down, but the filmmakers expanded its importance for the big screen, with both films’ climaxes involving the house and the well it was built on top of. As revealed in “The Great Swirling Apparatus of Our Planet's Function,” the house’s access to IT’s lair is only one reason it’s important.

The sewers also connect all the tunnels running below the town, which the native children used to go around and bury the star shards keeping IT contained. As we all already know, nothing good happens inside Derry’s sewers, and it’s hard to call this mission a success. But more on that below.

(Image credit: HBO Max)

Derry's Tap Water Issues

Okay, so I don’t know if this is 100% related, but given a reveal that comes later in the episode, I going to confidently believe it to be so.

During the meeting that went down before Rose knew what happened to Taniel, elder statesman Joe shared this tidbit about how one of IT’s behavioral patterns plagues the town even the cycles of evil aren’t happening.

One encouraging sign is, obviously we know the creature sheds. Its discharge, you might call it, has tainted Derry’s groundwater since the town’s founding.

I don't really want to think about what that creature would be shedding, and how it would go about revealing itself within the town's water supply, because ew. However, this does perhaps provide context to the scene in IT: Chapter Two when Bev turns her nose at the tea she's served in Mrs. Kersh's apartment. In the novel, Bev was horrifyingly served a cup full of sewer shit. Since the movie didn't note that specifically, I'd like to think the tea was made with IT's discharge-water. Maybe "like" is a strong word...

(Image credit: HBO Max)

The Bus To Shawshank State Prison

After getting verbally referenced in prior episodes (and after being shown in the series' trailers), the bus to Shawshank finally makes its foreboding arrival. Shawshank is, of course, the location of one of King's most celebrated non-horror stories and adaptations — Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption — and also comes up in other sections of Stephen King's bibliography.

Had the bus not overturned, leading to Hank Grogan's escape, he potentially could have crossed paths with "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" characters Andy Dufresne and Red, with Andy not making his grand escape until 1975. And where did he come out? A sewer pipe. It's all connected, people!

(Image credit: HBO Max)

The Government Apparently Has Ways Of Bringing Derry Memories Back

Technically not an easter egg so much as a surprising reveal that seems to counter what we've been told thus far. While King fans don't necessarily have the largest number of test subjects to go from, the idea has plainly been that IT's effect on Derry's children is such that they forget everything about him and surrounding events after leaving town, and only start to get those memories back after returning.

Shaw revealed that he got his memories back due to some kind of government experiment. He wasn't specific, but to me it sounded like he was used in the LSD-loaded operation dubbed MKUltra, and that he regained his memories through some kind of psychotropic therapy. Also, because you'd have to be trippin' on some serious shit to think you can take down IT.

(Image credit: HBO Max)

Madeleine Stowe's Ingrid Is Apparently THAT “Mrs. Kersh”

With a lovely smile and sympathy shown for Lilly, Madeleine Stowe's Ingrid hadn't made much of a story impact before Episode 5, and it all makes sense for why we didn't know very much about her. Lilly's housecall revealed that Ingrid is married to Stan Kersh the Butcher, and the name "Mrs. Kersh" is far more important to Stephen King fans than "Ingrid."

In the novel, miniseries and IT: Chapter Two, Beverly visits her childhood home, only to realize that it's currently being inhabited by a "Mrs. Kersh." In all versions, the sweet older woman is revealed to be one of IT's personas, this time feeding on Bev's memories and fear of what might have become of her awful father. In the process, she talks about her "foddah" Bob Grey, who's envisioned as the human iteration of Pennywise.

I may be wrong, but I don't think that Mrs. Kersh was ever substantially proven to be a real person, and she wasn't presented as being any more based in reality than the leper who chased Eddie. So what in the world does this reveal mean? We know Bob Grey's story will come up again in this series, but I did not expect the show to spin Mrs. Kersh from a haunting ghoul into flesh and blood. Mr. Kersh already gives me the creeps, but I don't want to think about Stowe's smiles being entirely nefarious.

(Image credit: HBO Max)

Grampa Hallorann And Dick’s Mental Lockbox

Dick Hallorann's history was touched upon in The Shining, but it wasn't until the sequel Doctor Sleep where Stephen King explored the character's childhood, where he shared the shine ability with his grandmother, much to the violent discontent of his grandfather. In that novel, readers learned about how Dick was taught to keep his most important memories and thoughts secured within a mental lockbox that no amount of verbal and physical abuse could unlock.

So it makes perfect sense for IT to surface within Dick's brain as his belt-swinging gramps, who's able to get past the lock without a whole lot of struggling, much to Dick's chagrin and agony. We know that he can see dead people know after he saw the cloudy-eyed Russo, but what else did unlocking that box set free?

(Image credit: HBO Max)

Pennywise Gets His Glorious Shapeshifting Entrance

Bully on everyone who thought it was safe to put trust into the previous missing kid who showed back up out of nowhere without taking a bath, because that stinky ass child turned out to be Pennywise in penny-disguise all along, the jerk. Having lured all the kids down in the tunnels at the same time as Shaw's squad, Pennywise finally emerged from the shadows. Or in this case, from within the body of a smelly kid. (R.I.P. Matty.)

It was a very cool reveal, with Matty-turned-clown twirling around and singing a haunting ditty as his body flipped inside out, wrapping in a very "Ta-daaaaa" way. I loved the sheer panic on Matilda Lawler's face as Marge, which was reminicent of Eddie's hysterical reactions in IT: Chapter One. (Which this theory can speak to.)

Unfortunately, though we can assume that IT's Uncle Sam ghoul took out those two soldiers, Pennywise itself didn't get to do very much after that tuneful arrival. Most of the kids got away without issue, with Lilly the only one to stumble and get left behind. But she thankfully ended up right behind the spot where Rose's star shard was dropped as Taniel ran away from gunshots.

The shard stopped Pennywise in his gaping-mouthed tracks, and even though Lilly remained freaked the hell out, the threat was forced to twitchingly retreat back into the darkness, unable to cross the boundary made by the shard. That one instance makes Shaw's containment plan seem feasible, but Rose knows way more than he does about all of this.

Join us in tracking all the easter eggs in next week's episode when it hits HBO and HBO Max on Sunday, November 30, at 9:00 p.m. ET.

‘We Don’t See Pennywise For A While’: Welcome To Derry Co-Creators Explain Their Approach To Hiding And Revealing IT In The New Stephen King Series

Eric Eisenberg — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:29:57 +0000

Are you getting hyped for IT: Welcome To Derry yet? Well, you should be, particularly after this week. On Sunday, we reported on the story of how the brilliant Bill Skarsgård ended up getting called back to the role of Pennywise The Dancing Clown… and as if that wasn’t notable enough, the first reaction to the series arrived online from Stephen King himself (he calls it “amazing” and highlights the debut episode as being “terrifying”). Excitement for the upcoming King show is presently high, but there is something that audiences should know about the show ahead of its arrival in a few weeks.

The main story in this week’s edition of The King Beat concerns why fans shouldn’t anticipate that the first episode of IT: Welcome To Derry will be filled to the brim with Pennywise action, as there is a specific approach being taken with the killer clown in the new show. But that’s not all, as I’m also taking a quick look at how Stephen King movies have been performing at the box office this year. There’s a whole lot to discuss, so let’s dig in!

(Image credit: HBO)

Prepare To Be Patient, As IT: Welcome To Derry Plans To Keep Us Champing At The Bit For Pennywise

“For 27 years, I've dreamt of you. I craved you! Oh, I've missed you!” That line, of course, is from IT: Chapter Two, and while it hasn’t been two-and-a-half-plus decades since that film came out, I think it’s nonetheless a fair assessment of how fans are awaiting the return of Pennywise in the new HBO series IT: Welcome To Derry. It was finally revealed that Bill Skarsgård would be reprising the evil role for the show in May 2024, and audiences have been anticipating the resurrection ever since – left to be satiated by minor glimpses of the sinister clown in trailers and previews.

The hunger is very real… which is probably why it’s a good idea to let audiences know now (a little over two weeks before the series premiere) that fans are going to have to be a bit patient when it comes to the revival of IT’s most famous form.

In an interview with SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend (the new issue is in stores now!), Welcome To Derry co-creators/producers Andy and Barbara Muschietti detail the methodology that was taken when it came to featuring Pennywise on the show, and the methodology can be described as “Jaws-esque.” The monster that feeds on fear is a shapeshifter that can take any number of forms, and Barbara Muschietti explained how the series is using that to its advantage:

People never know what to expect from Pennywise. That’s the trick. He’s absolutely unpredictable, and that’s what we love, and that’s the freedom we allow ourselves. We are never to know what trickery he’s going to do next.

Is that asking a lot of audiences in an age of immediate gratification? That’s to be seen – but it certainly is an extension of tradition in horror.

There is a long history of filmmakers flooding audiences with fear while also keeping them on the edge of their seats for the big monster reveal. While it’s worth pointing out that IT: Chapter One is not a movie that follows this formula (I’m sure I don’t have to remind any of you of the scene with Georgie’s encounter with Pennywise in the sewer), but Andy Muschietti says that the Jaws approach is being taken with the show – referencing the Steven Spielberg classic directly. Said the filmmaker,

It’s about a build-up of tension. In a series, it translates to basically not showing the monster in a movie until it’s the right time. It’s the Jaws effect. It’s very basic. The idea is building tension around the apparition of a monster that we know already, and people are waiting – when is it going to appear? It’s very appropriate for a monster that is a shapeshifter to appear in several different shapes and manifestations before he shows up as a clown. So I thought that was fun.

So what is the payoff? To keep the comparison to Jaws going, I imagine that anyone who has seen the movie will never forget seeing the shark pop out while Roy Scheider’s Brody is at the back of the Orca scooping chum into the water. We may all like and have grown accustomed to instant gratification, but delayed gratification has its big perks too, like satisfying ballooning expectations (yes, that pun was entirely intentional).

When we do finally get a full dose of Pennywise on IT: Welcome To Derry, Andy Muschietti promises that audiences will get that satisfaction, saying,

As a concept it was pretty basic to me that we would delay the apparition of the monster to create that good anxiety and suspense. When it appears, it appears in a big way. I thought it would be very gratifying for the audience to delay that climax.

This brings us to an important question: if the series isn’t going to be sending chills down our spines with the nightmarish visions of Pennywise, how is it going to be generating its scares? Looking back on the IT movies, you’ll remember that wasn’t an issue in the slightest, with its horrifying alternate forms including a rotting leper, a distorted woman from a Modigliani-esque painting, a monstrous Paul Bunyan statue, and much more.

In the interview, Barbara Muschietti acknowledges that there is a demand for every episode to offer up a fresh terror worthy of Pennywise’s brand, and the show aims to satisfy. She said,

When you’re doing several episodes, you have to make every episode pack a punch, basically. That was the hardest balance, to be able to hide Pennywise, but at the same time, create new incarnations and new fears that had a level that could get to a Pennywise-level of fear. Andy did a truly incredible job at that. We don’t see Pennywise for a while, but the things that we see are pretty damn incredible. And there’s so much more!

What does “a while” mean? Will we see the Dancing Clown in episode three? Episode five? Episode seven? That’s not made clear – but I suppose that not knowing when Pennywise will arrive will make it all the scarier when it does finally show up.

So, are you ready to float? With reports about the show first arriving in early 2022, the wait for IT: Welcome To Derry has been considerable, but it is now so close that we can practically smell the wastewater of the Derry sewers. Arriving as the penultimate Stephen King title of 2025 (following The Monkey, The Life Of Chuck, The Institute and The Long Walk), the show will be debuting on HBO starting October 26, and it will be made available to stream instantly for those with an HBO Max subscription.

(Image credit: Neon)

Looking At Stephen King Box Office Numbers In 2025, Two Films Have Made The Top 20 List Of King’s Highest-Grossing Adaptations

With all of this discussion of IT, this week’s King Beat feels like an appropriate time to look at how Stephen King movies have been performing at the box office thus far in 2025. IT: Chapter One and IT: Chapter Two remain the highest-grossing titles of all time when it comes to King adaptations, making $704.1 million and $473.1 million respectively in 2017 and 2019, and now a new title has come anywhere near those blockbuster numbers, but how do the most recent titles stack up in the legacy?

Consulting the data from The Numbers, it turns out that two titles from this year have entered the Top 20 when it comes to worldwide box office grosses for Stephen King movies. The highest-grossing of the pair is Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey, which was made with a tiny budget ($10-11 million, per Vulture) but finished its big screen run in the early months of the year making $63.7 million. Without adjusting for inflation, that’s not quite as much as what Mike Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep earned six years ago ($72.4 million), but it eclipsed Rob Reiner’s Misery in the ranking.

More recently, Francis Lawrence’s The Long Walk entered the Top 20, and it’s worth noting that the critically acclaimed film is still playing in theaters nationwide. To date, the movie has made $43.9 million, which is good enough for it to be declared as the 18^th biggest Stephen King movie of all time – having now made more money at the box office than Paul Michael Glaser’s The Running Man from 1987 ($48.1 million).

Will Edgar Wright’s upcoming remake of The Running Man, starring Glen Powell, be able to out-gross them all when it arrives in theaters on November 14? In just a little over a month.

That wraps up this week’s edition of The King Beat, but as always, I’ll be back here on CinemaBlend next Thursday with a brand new roundup of all the biggest news out of the world of Stephen King. And if you’re as excited as we are for IT: Welcome To Derry, you should most definitely pay close attention to the site in the coming weeks, as we’ll have a lot of exciting original interviews and features coming your way!

IT: Welcome To Derry Co-Creator Gets Candid About The Challenge Of Getting Bill Skarsgård To Return As Pennywise

Eric Eisenberg — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 21:36:31 +0000

I can say without any hesitation that IT: Welcome To Derry wouldn't be nearly as anticipated if it didn't feature the return of Bill Skarsgård as the malicious shape-changer best known as Pennywise The Dancing Clown. While it's cool that the upcoming Stephen King TV series is going to be diving into the dark history of the titular town from the IT movies, the whole enterprise would have felt lesser if it featured a different actor in the canon's most iconic role.

Thankfully, Skarsgård did make the decision to come back, and we'll see him back in his terrifying makeup later this month... but series co-creator Andy Muschietti has revealed that getting him to come back definitely wasn't the simplest aspect of the production.

Recently speaking with SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend (the new issue of the magazine arriving on October 8), the filmmaker explained that the actor wasn't totally on-board when IT: Welcome To Derry was first being conceived. Conversations about telling more Pennywise stories were had between the two men on the set of IT: Chapter Two, but Muschietti said that there was indecision caused by the mental stress of playing the intense part and a desire not to repeat himself too much. Said the director/producer,

I think he was a little hesitant at the beginning to play It again because he is something that he did in the past. Also, at that point, when we started talking about the series as something that was real and tangible, he had played a lot of very dark characters, and he was a little hesitant to go into it again. Because, obviously, for someone that takes his work and his art so seriously as him, it takes a toll to live in the head of those characters for a long time.

In recent years, Bill Skarsgård got to have some fun playing the sinister Marquis in John Wick: Chapter 4 and took part in some hand-to-hand combat making Boy Kills World, but he's certainly best known for his parts in films that go to very dark places, including Barbarian and Nosferatu. One can understand why he might want a bit of a reprieve.

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So what ultimately changed the actor's mind? Andy Muschietti doesn't claim that it was anything specific; instead, it was apparently just him getting excited about what IT: Welcome To Derry had planned in terms of digging into the character and the story that was being told. Said the filmmaker,

So he was a little hesitant at the beginning – and then something changed. I guess that we started again, going into it and discussing all the virtues of this new story and he decided to do it.

To date, previews for IT: Welcome To Derry have only teased us with Bill Skarsgård's return as Pennywise (very effectively, I might add), but we won't be waiting much longer for more. After years of waiting – reports of the project dating back to 2022 – the show is finally ready to debut, and it will be debuting just ahead of Halloween 2025 – specifically on October 26. Also starring Taylour Page, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, and Stephen Rider, the eight-part series will see episode premiere on HBO and be made available immediately for HBO Max subscription holders.

Nicholas Galitzine And Bill Skarsgård Look Like Total Snacks In First Look At Netflix’s Marine Movie

Carly Levy — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 16:14:14 +0000

Netflix has made waves by producing some of the best war movies of recent years likes Beasts of No Nation and the All Quiet on the Western Front remake. Now, the streamer’s upcoming marine-centric movie is serving up some serious eye candy. The film is question is The Mosquito Bowl, which stars Nicholas Galitzine and Bill Skarsgård, and the first look has arrived. And, needless to say, the two aforementioned actors look like total snacks in the sneak peek.

There’s something about seeing handsome men in historical dramas that just does something to fans. Whether it’s the sight of Brad Pitt leading a tank crew in Fury or Harry Styles and Barry Keoghan facing the dangers of war as members of the cast of Dunkirk, audiences can’t resist when Hollywood dreamboats portray important men in history. As for Netflix’s first look at The Mosquito Bowl, Nicholas Galitzine and Bill Skarsgård certainly look great. Check out the still that the streamer shared to Netflix:

Nicholas Galitzine, Bill Skarsgård, Ray Nicholson, and Tom Francis star in THE MOSQUITO BOWL. Directed by Peter Berg. Now in production.Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, four of America’s top college football players enlist in the Marines. As they prepare for the brutal… pic.twitter.com/b9pXJrPAi4August 28, 2025

Ooh, I just love a man in a uniform! Both stars look so irresistible with their arms crossed like that. Skarsgård and Galitzine both exude leading man energy and, based on the responses to the photo, fans are here for this first look. I know I personally can't wait for this marine movie to hit the streaming schedule.

My hope is that The Mosquito Bowl will be yet another strong cinematic showing for both of the previously mentioned fan-favorite actors. Nicholas Galitzine has been on the come-up over the past few years, given fans all the feels with Red, White & Royal Blue, and he more then held his own alongside Anne Hathaway in the rom-com The Idea of You. It's somewhat poetic that Galizine would join a war movie now, given that his Dunkirk audition didn’t work out with Christopher Nolan. So it’s great that Galitzine found another way to enter the genre.

As for Bill Skarsgård, he's greatly known known for his creepy roles in It and Nosferatu. However, he has plenty of range as an actor, and I'd love to see him flex his acting muscles by playing a real-life Marine. Sure, it's spooky fun to see Skarsgård show off his creepy eye trick as Pennywise or embody the intense vampire design of Count Orlok. However, I think I'd rather feel weak in the knees by watching Skarsgård bare arms in a war movie.

Not only do Nicholas Galitzine and Bill Skarsgård look real yummy, but there’s a whole buffet of talent among the cast. Ray Nicholson, who's known for his frightening role in Smile 2, is present (and sporting a buzz cut) as well. Also, theater actor Tom Francis looks handsomely rugged. In the film, each of these actors will be portraying Marine men playing one last football game before being sent into battle, and I'm prepared to see true athleticism and bravery play out in this WWII flick.

If Nicholas Galitzine and Bill Skarsgård are total snacks, then the upcoming Netflix movie will be a full meal that streamers will love. With swoony-worthy Marine men and intense storytelling, I can't think of a better reason to have a Netflix subscription to check out this film. For now, though, fans will have to wait for further updates on The Mosquito Bowl.

I Watched Bill Skarsgård's 2025 Thriller On Hulu, And One Thing About His Role Was So Refreshing

Philip Sledge — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 09:02:00 +0000

Whenever I hear about a new Bill Skarsgård movie, I automatically assume that he’s going to be playing some kind of heinous monster, thanks to his outstanding performances in the likes of IT and Nosferatu. I recently checked out Locked, Skarsgård’s 2025 movie about a guy trying to survive after getting trapped in a luxury car he tried to burglarize, and it was honestly one of the most refreshing experiences I’ve had all year, at least with my Hulu subscription.

After growing accustomed to Skarsgård being terrifying on screen – even his performances in non-horror movies like John Wick: Chapter 4 are unsettling – I had so much fun watching him play a different type of character, one that’s being tormented instead of being the tormentor. Let me explain…

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Don't Get Me Wrong, Few Play A Villain As Great As Bill Skarsgård

Few living actors can play a villain better than Bill Skarsgård, and he’s proven that time and time again over the past decade. I mean, his take on Pennywise the Clown in Andy Muschietti’s IT movies still sends a shiver down my spine, and his reinvention of Count Orlok in Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is one of the most unsettling and grotesque movie creatures I’ve ever seen. He loses himself in his roles, and more times than not, he’s not playing normal guys but instead ancient evils vying to bring an end to the natural order.

(Image credit: The Avenue)

It's Just That It Was Fun Seeing Him Play A Seemingly Normal Guy For A Change

I’m fully aware of the fact that Bill Skarsgård has played non-supernatural characters over the years, but those roles are few and far between. That said, it was so much fun watching him play a seemingly normal guy who, instead of toying with people, was the one on the receiving end of a deranged madman. Sure, it took some getting used to in the early goings of Locked, but watching his character, Eddie Barrish, try to get out of his predicament was honestly refreshing.

This isn’t to say that I think Skarsgård should turn his back on horror or fantasy films moving forward (I can’t wait for It: Welcome to Derry to hit the 2025 TV schedule), but I can’t sit here and act like watching him play a grounded and sympathetic character wasn’t a nice change of pace.

(Image credit: The Avenue)

Plus, Locked Gave The World Another Terrifying Anthony Hopkins Character

Another thing I really liked about Bill Skarsgård playing the protagonist in Locked was that it gave us another opportunity to experience a terrifying and unnerving Anthony Hopkins performance. The Academy Award-winning actor, who has been going strong since the 1960s, is on a whole other level with his portrayal of William, the man who owns the heavily fortified and surveilled luxury car that essentially becomes Eddie Barrish’s prison.

Hopkins’ performance is largely just his voice, save for the film’s final act, and that adds a whole other layer of mystery and terror to the part. The way this disembodied voice toys, pokes, and prods the would-be criminal is outrageous yet never becomes campy or too much. It’s just the perfect level of sinister.

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With Bill Skarsgård set to appear in movies like Dead Man’s Wire, Emperor, and The Death of Robin Hood, it’s going to be interesting to see where his career goes these next few years.

HBO's IT: Welcome To Derry Merch Reveals New Looks At Pennywise And Another Monster That'll Likely Haunt My Sleep

Nick Venable — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:38:52 +0000

Of all the upcoming Stephen King adaptations on the way, IT: Welcome to Derry is something of an outlier, in that it’s not directly adapting one specific novel or story, and is instead an extension of the author’s literary canon that will include connections to King’s other characters and stories, while also branching out from Andy Muschietti’s two chapters of IT films. So perhaps it’s surprising that the teasers and promo footage have refrained from showcasing Bill Skarsgard’s return as Pennywise, since the entity is the biggest returning element.

Thankfully, for lack of a more fitting word, we now have our best looks yet at the clown-painted monster that feeds on Derry’s citizens, only they come not from HBO directly, but from Funko, whose IT: Welcome to Derry Pop figures will be up for pre-orders this week in anticipation of the upcoming horror TV show’s October debut. Check out a handful of the early-bird collectibles below.

First look at IT: Welcome To Derry Pops! Dropping Wednesday at the links below..Entertainment Earth - https://t.co/YtoRhRaM7LAmazon - https://t.co/cMpn3K82Vf.#Ad #WelcometoDerry #Pennywise #Funko #FunkoPop #Collectibles #Collectible #FunkoPops #Collector #Toy #Toys… pic.twitter.com/znihnijbTJAugust 12, 2025

Now to sweat over my own personal reactions.

Pennywise (Standalone) - Not much to react to here, since the figure isn't very different from the wave of Pennywise figures that were released for the two IT movies. Even the color scheme is the same.
Bob Gray - I'm definitely intrigued by Pennywise's normie persona Bob Gray seemingly having a big enough presence in the TV show to warrant his own merch. Maybe the show will offer up some insight into why that name may be of import.
Pennywise & Wagon - My excitement here is admittedly more for the wagon than for another average Pennywise figure. Sure, it's holding the signature red balloon, but it'd still be nice if the facial expression would be unique. Hopefully the wagon is filled with fair food at least.
Skeleton Man - Aw yeah. Even in Funko Pop form, I can already tell this sumbitch is going to be a jolt to the eyeballs whenever it appears in the show. As far as I remember, there isn't technically a "skeleton man" from the IT novel, but its noseless face is reminiscent of the hobo that freaked Eddie out in the 2017 movie. Also weird for it to be called a "skeleton" while still having tufts of hair and a shitload of awkwardly placed teeth. That one shortened middle tooth is almost too unnerving.

While not necessary shocking, it is mildly surprising that none of the figures revealed for pre-ordering are of the fully human characters. In fact, DisTrackers also shared another X post for a Funko exclusive Pop figure of Pennywise holding the top half of someone's head upside down like a bowl while holding its tongue out above it. That is the kind of unique look I wish the others were able to utilize. But the fact that there are more Stephen King-related figures to collect is reason enough not to be too critical. But I do 100% want a Dick Halloran Funko figure from this show, especially if it goes for three seasons as it's planned to.

Check out Chris Chalk's Halloran and more in the trailer below!

IT: Welcome to Derry is set to debut in October on HBO, and will be available to stream with an HBO Max subscription. Hopefully a more concrete premiere date floats up very soon.

Alexander Skarsgård Says Brother Bill Skarsgård’s Nosferatu Is Sexier Than His True Blood Vampire, But His 3-Word Review Of The Performance Is Really Making Me Laugh

Ryan LaBee — Sun, 18 May 2025 19:03:22 +0000

In the house of Skarsgård, more than a few actors have played vampires. However, there’s a new contender for “Sexiest Vampire” in the family, and even Alexander Skarsgård has to admit it’s not him. The True Blood star, who played the dreamy vampire Eric Northman on the show (streaming with a Max subscription), says his brother Bill has taken over the title of the "sexiest vamp." But honestly, it’s The Stand actor’s three-word review of his little brother’s performance as Count Orlok in Robert Eggers’ acclaimed Nosferatu that cracks me up.

The Succession veteran recently joined Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, where the conversation took a delightfully fang-filled detour into vampire territory. Naturally, Horowitz asked the burning question: who’s the hotter bloodsucker, Alexander’s brooding Eric Northman from True Blood, or Bill Skarsgård’s grotesque, gothic Count Orlok in Robert Eggers' 2024 horror movie release. Without missing a beat, the Swedish-born thesbian replied:

Nosferatu. That's, like, pure sex right there.

It’s a hilariously unexpected answer, given that Bill Skarsgård's version of Orlok is more nightmare fuel than heartthrob. In Eggers’ epic horror remake, Skarsgård is nearly unrecognizable under heavy prosthetics, facial lesions and a wardrobe that screams 1800s plague-core. With his towering frame, whispered rasp, and, yes, an ominous broom mustache, this isn’t your average broody vampire in a leather jacket. And, notoriously, he scared even his castmates.

Speaking of which, Alexander Skarsgård’s Eric on True Blood was absolutely “that” guy: often shirtless, rocking slicked-back hair, and radiating Viking energy. That same vibe likely helped Skarsgård land one of his best roles, as the Viking prince in Robert Eggers’ The Northman. Across eight seasons of the HBO hit, Eric had no shortage of steamy moments. So the idea that his brother’s rat-faced nightmare ghoul is somehow the “sexier” vampire? That’s peak Skarsgård humor.

And just when it seemed like the Tarzan performer was hyping his brother to the undead moon, Josh Horowitz asked for a more honest, “unbiased” take on Bill's performance. That’s when the older Skarsgård deadpanned:

It was okay.

Cue the laugh track. Horowitz cracked up in response and said, “Spoken like a true brother.” Sibling trolling aside, there’s no denying Bill Skarsgård’s Nosferatu transformation has had people talking since the film's release. The Big Little Lies veteran also clarified on the podcast that, despite the jabs, there’s no real rivalry between the Skarsgård brothers, at least regarding work. He explained:

We’re not, in that regard, competitive. I think it would have been harder had we all been vying for the same roles… Fortunately, we don’t have to deal with that.

The Skarsgård clan is no small crew. Alongside Alexander, Bill, and Vikings star Gustaf, not to mention their father, legendary actor Stellan, there are five more siblings, making it a family of nine. While several have stepped into the Hollywood spotlight, each has carved out a distinct path. And, honestly, we’re all better for it. Alexander gave us a sleek, modern-day vampire icon, while Bill is now redefining horror with a performance that’s somehow both terrifying and (yes, really) “pure sex.”

Honestly, a True Blood and Nosferatu double feature is a steamy Halloween screening tradition waiting to happen. What can I say? I like my vampires like I like my Scandinavian imports, tall, cold, and Skarsgård-ed.

Nosferatu’s Director Dropped An Unexpected F-Bomb While Reacting To Fan Complaints About Count Orlok’s Mustache

Ryan LaBee — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 00:02:00 +0000

You'd think that when people talk about vampires in new and upcoming horror movies like Ryan Coogler’s 2025 movie release Sinners, the focus would be on story-specific lore, potential victims, and/or the logic of deterents like garlic. But for Robert Eggers' long-gestating Nosferatu, the buzz online quickly became all about Count Orlok's facial hair, specifically his overbearing mustache. The director has indeed seen the complaints, and after giving them some thought, he fired back with a passionate, colorful response.

In a new interview with Empire, Eggers finally addressed the buzz over Count Orlok’s intense design and his now-infamous mustache, which debuted in the director’s bold, atmospheric reimagining of the 1922 classic. The filmmaker, known for his meticulous detail and unapologetic creative decisions, didn’t mince words when addressing the decision to include the character's blood broom:

I get that. It’s a hard pill for some people to swallow. But I also don’t care, because there’s just no fucking way that this guy wouldn’t have a moustache. I love the way Max Schreck looks too [in Murnau’s original], and it’s a change. So, fair play, as people say over here.

There you have it. There was apparently never a version of the story in which the infamous bloodsucker didn't have a muzzle rug. Eggers makes a compelling enough case; as we all know, the director is very particular about historical accuracy. To his point, plenty of people rocked highly unfortunate facial hair in centuries past, as it was part of the era.

In his 2024 reimagining of the material, Count Orlok is portrayed not merely as a sinister, rat-toothed figure from the Expressionist era, but as the reanimated corpse of a Transylvanian nobleman. This embodiment renders the character's facial hair less of a quirky modern update and more of a historical detail. It’s not about the vanity behind being unique for the sake of it; it’s about authenticity for the period, which feels so Eggers to me.

The filmmaker is known for his signature moody and atmospheric lens, and he is no stranger to ruffling feathers. He’s built a career on immersive, historically grounded horror, from the puritanical dread of The Witch to the myth-soaked mania of The Lighthouse. His work often blends authenticity with invention, and the Orlok's 'stache seems to fall squarely in that tradition.

The backlash kicked off almost right after the first stills of Bill Skarsgård’s Orlok hit the internet. While many horror fans loved the creepy silhouette and the cool nod to the original, some couldn’t get past the mustache. I get it; when I first saw it, the lip lettuce definitely stood out. But by the time I reached the final intense moments of the movie, I had been won over by Bill Skarsgård's terrifying performance (which even scared his Nosferatu costars), and I forgot all about the Count’s flavor-saver.

If you’re a purist clinging to Max Schreck’s noseless grimace and baby-smooth face, this version, with his handlebar mouth curtains, might feel like a sharp turn. But if you’re ready to embrace a Dracula who brings a little more historical flair, then Eggers has a blood-slicked, bristly treat waiting for you.

Ultimately, it’s a mustache with meaning, and I think that’s something all of us horror hounds should embrace. Nosferatu is now available on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, and digital, or streaming with a Peacock subscription.

Bill Skarsgård Responded To June Squibb’s Oscars Joke About Him, And His Take Was Perfect

Carly Levy — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 19:12:22 +0000

Weeks ago, the 2025 Oscar winners were named (and you can still stream the show with a Hulu subscription). Amid the proceedings, there were some funny moments. Much of the humor can be chalked up to host Conan O’Brien, who's returning next year and even gifted fans with an unexpected Adam Sandler’s cameo during his monologue. Yet one of my favorite moments was presenter June Squibb joking about Bill Skarsgård, and the Swedish actor has since chimed in in with an A+ response.

At the 97th Academy Awards, June Squibb presented the Best Makeup Award alongside Scarlett Johansson. During the presentation, the ultra delightful Thelma star claimed she wasn't actually Squibb but really Nosferatu’s Bill Skarsgård in heavy makeup. During his interview with EW to promoting his 2025 movie release, Locked, Skarsgård was asked if he saw the segment and shared this funny reply:

No, it was me.

See, I knew it! But, seriously, I love that Bill Skarsgård is in on the joke. It’s great when actors don’t take themselves too seriously. Especially ones like the Hemlock Grove actor who’s known for playing intense roles. One of the best parts of June Squibb’s quip was that the "disguise" was one of "the big three" of Skarsgård's most famous makeup-heavy roles. While chatting with EW, he also joked that he’d have to agree with that while hilariously accepting praise for his "appearance" at the awards show:

Yeah. Yeah. Thanks, man. Thanks. That's one of my three — the big three performances.

If the Atomic Blonde alum were ever to show up looking like June Squibb or any other well-known performer, it really would be one of the actor’s big transformations of his career, I'll tell you that. You can find the entire joke in full below:

Bill Skarsgård has become synonymous with characters that require a vast amount of makeup and result in him transforming both physically and mentally. He left a serious mark on the horror genre through his portrayal of the terrifying Pennywise the Clown in the It movies. And we'll eventually see him take on the role again, as Skarsgård is reprising it for HBO's Welcome to Derry.

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And, of course, the talented actor was also indistinguishable as vampire Count Orlok in Nosferatu. Interestingly enough, movie’s intense design of the character even left the actor himself “terrified.” I can imagine how surreal it was for him to be covered in prosthetics from head to toe while also having to dramatically alter his voice.

Following June Squibb's quip at the Oscars, I really think a company should capitalize on it somehow. Like how about a commercial featuring Squibb talking, before she unzips herself, and it turns out to be Bill Skarsgård? Over better yet, I'd just settle for the two actors working together in some capacity. Regardless, I just that the two are now linked together by such a funny moment.

Make sure to watch Bill Skarsgård in the action thriller movie Locked, which is now playing in theaters.

How To Watch Nosferatu Online From Anywhere As It Exclusively Streams In The US

alice.marshall@futurenet.com (Alice Marshall) — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 11:46:38 +0000

How To Watch Nosferatu Online

Streaming Release: February 21 (US)

US Stream: Peacock TV

International Streams: Currently in movie theaters only

Watch anywhere: Stream from anywhere with NordVPN

Nosferatu – Synopsis

Originally Robert Eggers second feature length film following his directorial debut with The Witch, a remake of the 1922 movie Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror has been in the works since 2015. A passion project that was thus delayed, Eggers went on to direct The Lighthouse and The Northman before Nosferatu finally saw the light of day, with casting of Bill Skarsgård and Lily-Rose Depp announced in September 2022. Nearly a decade from conception to release, those in the States will be happy to hear you can finally watch Nosferatu online from the comfort of your own home when it's released on Friday, February 21 on Peacock , and we explain exactly how to watch it and get a deal on your Peacock subscription below.

An unofficial adaptation of the original vampire text, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Nosferatu follows Ellen Hutter (Depp) who, years prior, pledged herself to a supernatural being in the hope of curing her loneliness. Now married to Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), the couple live in a German town where, as an estate agent, Thomas seeks to make partner at the brokerage, and takes on a lucrative commission in the hopes of proving himself and securing the promotion. Endeavoring to sell the Grünewald Manor to Count Orlok (Skarsgård), a mysterious nobleman residing in a dilapidated castle in Transylvania, he leaves his wife – haunted by death – to secure the deal with the count.

A deliciously gothic tale, Nosferatu brings excitement and flare to the horror genre in its exploration of obsession – and its reception speaks for itself. The Hollywood Reported described it as "exciting, repulsive and beautiful", while its box office success saw it become Focus Features third highest grossing domestic release behind Downton Abbey (2019) and Coraline (2009).

Coming to Peacock on Friday, you have the option of subscribing to its annual Premium plan and saving 63% on a whole year's worth of on-demand content, including other Oscar nominees like Conclave and The Wild Robot, with Wicked soon to follow. But the deal does expire on February 18, so you'll need to act fast. For all the options on how to watch Nosferatu online from anywhere, we explain everything below, including using a VPN to unblock Peacock while overseas.

How to watch Nosferatu online in the US

(Image credit: Peacock/NBCUniversal )

Stakes at the ready! Nosferatu swoops onto its exclusive streaming home on Peacock in the US on Friday, February 21.

A Peacock subscription starts from $7.99 a month. You can also choose to skip the commercials by opting for its Premium Plus plan, which costs $13.99 a month.

Although Peacock doesn’t currently offer a free trial (and hasn't for some time) you can save 17% when signing up to its annual plans ($79.99 or $139.99 a year respectively).

Currently traveling abroad? Americans temporarily out of the country can download a VPN to access the same services you’d enjoy back home. We explain how below.

How to watch Nosferatu from anywhere

If you're a US citizen on vacation or working overseas, you can still watch Nosferatu online just as you would at home.

While services like Peacock block access from IP addresses outside of the US, there's a handy piece of software called a VPN that can change your IP address to make it look like you're accessing streaming services from any country in the world.

For example, US citizens overseas can subscribe to a VPN, join a US-based server and access their subscription from anywhere in the world, just like they would back home.

Watch Nosferatu as if you were at home with a VPN
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Step-by-step of using a VPN to unblock:

1. Choose your ideal VPN and install – our go-to recommendation for unblocking is NordVPN, costing from under $3.99 a month with its 2-year plan

2. Connect to a server – for Peacock, you'll want to connect to a server based in the US.

3. Go to the stream you wish to access - for Nosferatu, head to Peacock.

Can I Stream Nosferatu Outside In The UK, Canada, Australia, Or Elsewhere Around The World?

Outside of the US, Nosferatu is still only showing in movie theaters with no official streaming release date across performs yet set. It could soon be made available to buy or rent digitally, but currently there are no exact dates or details on this.

American oversea? Use a VPN to join a US server and access your Peacock subscription from anywhere.

Nosferatu Trailer

Who Is In The Cast Of Nosferatu?

Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter
Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter
Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok/Nosferatu
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding
Willem Dafoe as Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz
Emma Corrin as Anna Harding
Ralph Ineson as Dr. Wilhelm Sievers
Simon McBurney as Herr Knock

Can I Rent Nosferatu (2024)?

Yes! While Nosferatu hasn't found a streaming home outside of the States, in countries like the UK you can rent or buy the film digitally. In the UK, you can get it through Amazon Prime Video or Sky Store.

32 Actors Who Heavily Altered Their Voice For A Role

Jason Wiese — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 01:03:00 +0000

Some of the most extraordinary performances in movie or TV history have seen the actor completely disappear into a role, not only changing their appearance but also adopting a voice almost entirely different from their own. Take a look at some of the most impressive voice alterations that an actor took on to perfect their unique portrayal of a now iconic character (or characters).

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Robert De Niro (Cape Fear)

One thing that makes the 1991 remake of Cape Fear one of the most amusing Martin Scorsese/Robert De Niro collaborations is the actor's approach to playing Max Cady. The Academy Award-winning Italian-American dons a thick, over-the-top Southern accent but is still no less chilling as the sadistic, recently released convict seeking revenge on the defense attorney (Nick Nolte) who put him away.

(Image credit: Universal / Monkeypaw Productions)

Lupita Nyong'o (Us)

One of the scariest modern horror movie villains is Red (Lupita Nyong'o) from writer and director Jordan Peele's 2019 sophomore feature, Us. The Academy Award winner brilliantly differentiates the vengeful, "tethered" person from her above-ground double, Adelaide, and gives her an even more unsettling presence, with a raspy voice inspired by a condition called spasmodic dysphonia, which inhibits airflow and is commonly a symptom of traumatic experiences.

(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)

Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)

As he would with any other role, Daniel Day-Lewis went to great lengths to become the sixteenth President of the United States for his Oscar-winning performance in Steven Spielberg's 2012 biopic, Lincoln. He even made sure to match Honest Abe's voice, which was high-pitched and reedy (according to the Library of Congress), as opposed to the low bellow many previous portrayals mistakenly attempted.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Mel Blanc (Looney Tunes)

To this day, it is almost shocking to learn that most of the original Looney Tunes characters were brought to life by just one actor. Until he passed away in 1989, Mel Blanc provided the diverse voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, and plenty more favorites under the Warner Bros. animation umbrella.

(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Austin Butler (Elvis)

The key to portraying Elvis Presley is nailing his distinct Southern drawl, which Austin Butler went to great lengths to perfect when he was cast as the influential musician in Baz Luhrmann's 2022 biopic. The work he put into the voice seemed to have a lasting effect on the actor, whom audiences could not help but notice continued to speak in the same accent during public appearances.

(Image credit: Fox)

Seth MacFarlane (Various)

In addition to being one of the creative forces behind two of TV's longest-running hit animated shows for grown-ups, Seth MacFarlane is also responsible for bringing many of their most important characters to life. He voices Peter, Stewie, and Quagmire on Family Guy and plays Stan and Roger on American Dad – all of whom require him to be completely unrecognizable, while Family Guy's Brian is no different from his real voice.

(Image credit: Pop/CBC)

Catherine O’Hara (Schitt's Creek)

What makes Moira Rose (Catherine O'Hara) one of the funniest characters on Schitt's Creek is the way she pronounces certain words with her over-the-top, posh accent. Classic examples include "baby" (beh-beh) and "enchiladas" (ahn-chuh-lah-dahs).

(Image credit: Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment)

Jim Carrey (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

It is still sometimes hard to believe that it is Jim Carrey playing the title role in Ron Howard's live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas from 2000. Not only is he covered head-to-toe with green skin and matching fur in the Christmas movie classic but the comedic mastermind disguises his voice with an accent that earned comparisons to Sean Connery, as he told Entertainment Weekly.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Eddie Murphy (Coming To America)

Eddie Murphy started a career staple of playing multiple roles in the same movie with 1988's Coming to America. He dons an African accent to play Prince Akeem and brings his voice to higher octaves as Randy Watson and Clarence, but he undergoes the most intensive alteration of both his appearance and voice when playing elderly barber shop patron, Saul.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)

The Dark Knight is a superhero movie that won Oscars for Sound Editing and for Heath Ledger's astonishing, transformative performance as The Joker. No matter how many times you watch Christopher Nolan's acclaimed 2008 sequel to Batman Begins, it is always shocking to hear that wheezy, menacing voice coming from the late Australian actor.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Dan Castellaneta (The Simpsons)

If you have ever seen any of comedian Dan Castellaneta's live-action acting credits, it might shock you to learn that his most famous role is Homer Simpson. However, the Simpsons cast member provides the voice of plenty more characters than the infantile, Duff-swilling family man, including Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, and Groundskeeper Willie.

(Image credit: Focus Features)

Bill Skarsgård (Nosferatu)

Bill Skarsgård is no stranger to dramatically altering his appearance and his voice for the sake of scaring the living daylights out of audiences, having played Pennywise in back-to-back creepy clown movies, It and It Chapter Two. However, his transformation into Count Orlok for Robert Eggers' 2024 reimagining of Nosferatu was an even more challenging process, requiring a month-and-a-half of vocal training to perfect the vampire's dread-inducing growl.

(Image credit: Fox 2000 Pictures)

Joaquin Phoenix (Walk The Line)

Joaquin Phoenix did all of his own singing when portraying Johnny Cash in James Mangold's acclaimed music biopic, 2005's Walk the Line. While appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien that year, the future Oscar winner told the late night talk show host that he worked with a dialect coach to replicate the Man in Black's deep baritone voice as authentically as possible.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Amanda Seyfried (The Dropout)

For her Emmy-winning performance on the Hulu original true crime miniseries, The Dropout, Amanda Seyfried had the challenge of imitating the infamous low voice of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder and CEO of the fraudulent blood-testing company Theranos.

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Hugh Jackman (X-Men)

Many have been shocked to learn that Hugh Jackman is an Australian as his most famous role is the Canadian-native, Adamantium-clawed mutant, Wolverine. Of course, the Tony winner does more than just drop his natural accent for the X-Men movies but also incorporates a deep, nigh-animalistic growl.

(Image credit: NBC)

Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

When Stephanie Beatriz debuted in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast, she used her natural, higher-tone voice to play Det. Rosa Diaz. However, over time, the character's voice became progressively deeper until the actor settled on a low, more gruff tone that better suited the cop's hard-edged exterior.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Christian Bale (The Dark Knight Trilogy)

To play the lead in Christopher Nolan's beloved live-action Batman movies, Christian Bale pulled double-duty on changing his voice. In addition to dropping his Welsh accent when appearing as Bruce Wayne, he adopted a gravelly, identity-concealing growl when patrolling Gotham as the Dark Knight.

(Image credit: Neon)

Kristen Stewart (Spencer)

Kristen Stewart did more to earn her Academy Award nomination for portraying Princess Diana in the 2021 biopic, Spencer, than donning a blonde hairdo and an English accent. The actor revealed to Howard Stern that she went so far as to dramatically evolve her vocal inflection by opening her mouth more widely than she normally would and, as a result, practically altered her physical appearance in the film.

(Image credit: Nickelodeon)

Phil LaMarr (The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius)

Prolific voice actor Phil LaMarr, in addition to his transformative characters as a MADtv cast member, has made himself unrecognizable for countless iconic animated roles, such as John "Green Lantern" Stewart on Justice League or the title hero of Samurai Jack. However, no blip on his resume is nearly as surprising as the recurring role of foreign exchange student Bolbi Stroganofsky on Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Animation)

Mark Hamill (Batman: The Animated Series)

There are two different kinds of Mark Hamill fans. There are those who know the actor as Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars movies and then there are those who know him as The Joker on Batman: The Animated Series and many subsequent animated Batman movies. The voice he puts on for the role – a wonderful mix of comically over-the-top theatrics and scintillating intimidation – has been recognized as the definitive portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime in the eyes of many DC fans.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Robin Williams (Popeye)

Robin Williams proved that he was the perfect choice to lead director Robert Altman's live-action adaptation of the Popeye comic strip. He matched the brave, spinach-swilling sailor's fast-paced growl, as originated by voice actor Billy Costello, to a tee in the 1980 film.

(Image credit: NBC)

Maggie Wheeler (Friends)

Maggie Wheeler stole the show from the Friends cast with her recurring role as Janice Hosenstein, who was famous for her signature catchphrase, "Oh. My. GAWWWWWD!" What sold the character was her thick, nasally Brooklyn accent, which the actor came up with when she auditioned to play the character, as she revealed to Access Hollywood.

(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)

Idris Elba (Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom)

Idris Elba earned rave reviews for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in the Oscar-nominated 2013 biopic, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Being raised by West African immigrants helped the English-born actor develop an appropriate dialect to play the influential South African President, as he revealed to Oprah Winfrey.

(Image credit: A24)

Mia Goth (X)

Mia Goth played dual roles in Ti West's acclaimed A24 horror movie, 2022's X – both of which required her to conceal her mousy English accent. She spoke with a raspy Southern drawl as young aspiring starlet Maxine Minx and sounded similar, but significantly aged up, when playing homicidal elder, Pearl.

(Image credit: NBC)

Megan Mullally (Will & Grace)

Megan Mullally absolutely earned her two Emmy Award wins for her committed performance as Karen Walker on the classic TV sitcom, Will & Grace. The key to the spoiled socialite's scene-stealing presence was her ear-piercing voice, which truly sounds nothing like the actor in real life.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Ana De Armas (Blonde)

Cuban-born actor Ana de Armas is known for having a strong accent, which she concealed in order to portray Marilyn Monroe in Blonde. Her commitment to matching the Hollywood icon's dialect in the 2022 Netflix original biopic would earn her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

(Image credit: Nickelodeon)

Billy West (Various)

Billy West could be called the Mel Blanc of his generation as he can claim to have played about as many memorable animated characters as the iconic voice actor behind much of the Looney Tunes line-up did. To list just a few of West's best-known credits, he was both of the title characters from The Ren & Stimpy Show, took over as Popeye at one time, led Futurama as Fry, and plenty more.

(Image credit: Amazon Studios)

Nicole Kidman (Being The Ricardos)

Nicole Kidman's Academy Award-nominated portrayal of Lucille Ball in 2021's Being the Ricardos was achieved with more than just makeup. The actor shed her Australian accent and added a smokiness to match the I Love Lucy star's natural voice but was also challenged to imitate the more high-pitched tone of the comedy icon's onscreen alter ego.

(Image credit: CBS)

Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory)

Dr. Bernadette Maryann Rostenkowski-Wolowitz easily boasts one of the most impossibly high-pitched voices in sitcom history. However, The Big Bang Theory cast member Melissa Rauch actually sounds nothing like Howard Wolowitz's bride, yet maintained the façade convincingly for 10 seasons on the hit CBS comedy.

(Image credit: Illumination)

Chris Pratt (The Super Mario Bros. Movie)

Despite making "total sense" to the directors of Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, fans of the original Nintendo video game series had some initial hesitation over Chris Pratt's casting as the older Mario brother. However, the actor wisely avoided the plumber's stereotypical Italian dialect from the games in favor of a Brooklyn accent that effectively masked his natural voice.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Robert Pattinson (Mickey 17)

Robert Pattinson plays the title role of Bong Joon-ho's 2024 sci-fi comedy Mickey 17 with an entirely unrecognizable and, admittedly, kind of goofy voice. According to IndieWire, the English actor based the voice for his "expendable" character and his many clones off of comedian Steve-O.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Johnny Depp (Charlie And The Chocolate Factory)

Say what you want about Tim Burton's 2005 adaptation of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but you have to admit that Johnny Depp did try something amusing with the role of Willy Wonka. To play the eccentric chocolatier, he adopted a high-pitched wheeze that almost makes you question if it really is the same guy who played Capt. Jack Sparrow under that top hat.

Weeks After Watching Nosferatu, I'm Kinda Depressed By The Only Things I'm Still Thinking About From It

Nick Venable — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 01:05:16 +0000

Spoilers below for anyone who hasn't yet watched Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, so be warned (and protect your neck).

Given the filmmaker's impressive filmography to date, Robert Eggers' Nosferatu was a project I'd longingliy anticipated as much as anything else in 2024 or any upcoming horror movie yet to debut. And while it certainly excelled in many ways that help justify some of its early critical acclaim, the film's successes aren't the elements that have been stuck in my brain in the weeks since watching. No, I've instead been unintentionally unable to think about anything beyond the elements that took me out of the movie the most.

So instead of just silently stewing as I have been, I'll attempt to purge these thoughts from my mind like the rat-surfaced plague that they are, while also championing a couple of highlights as well. But first, the worst.

Orlok's Mustache Is The Most Monstrous Thing About Nosferatu

To make things perfectly clear, I think Bill Skarsgård's performance overall is delightfully unsettling, even when the character's actions are only happening through shadows and silhouettes. The prosthetics and make-up that cover the actor's body are exquisite in how off-putting he is from literally every single angle. I can understand why Eggers & Co. have worked dilligently to keep Orlok's visage as hidden as possible from those who haven't yet watched it. Because that mustache should 100% stay hidden for as long as possible.

Plus, that kind of secrecy also means that when a logistically bonkers costume detail is revealed for the first time — [points both pointers and both big toes at Orlok's mustache] — it's almost impossible not to hang every other opinion around it. Example: "Oh wow, that scene was gnarly, but not as gnarly as the way Orlok's mustache resembles the wet grass that surrounds a septic tank."

With inspiration assumedly taken from illustrations of Vlad the Impaler, Orlok's facial hair is already such a stark part of his gaunt face, but it's also essentially the only distinguishing element about his body, which is otherwise seemingly devoid of hair. I wouldn't have thought ages-old scarred and scabbed skin would be a prettier sight than anybody's 'stache, but I stand corrected, facing the opposite direction.

And you know what? I might have even grown to not staunchly abhor it over time had there been any form of direct explanation for its existence. Can he really not grow hair anywhere else on his body? Does he just really love that look? Does he have to pre-wet it before keeping it still wet all day long? Why isn't HE as fucking disgusted by it as I am?

It's arguably the element of Nosferatu that's most ripe for Scary Movie to parody with reckless abandon, and I can't help but hope that a Tom Selleck cameo is involved. Now that's a timeless mustache.

(Image credit: FX Networks)

Orlok Sounds Way Too Much Like Nandor From What We Do In The Shadows

Similar to my feelings about Orlok's look, I think Bill Skarsgård also kills it with his vocal performance. The vampire's voice is gravelly and deep throughout, with a range of intensity thoughout that is handled extremely well by everyone involved with the sound design and sound editing. Sometimes it feels like Orlok is right there behind you, ready to make your face jump right off your skull from his stupid mustache being so close.

But for all that it sounds splendid, I found that I could not hear the character's Eastern-European accent without immediately thinking about Kayvan Novak's Nandor the Relentless in What We Do in the Shadows. And while I realize the similarities are perhaps due to successful performances on both actors' parts, and I hold no ill will towards Skarsgård for the way he handles it. But did that stop me from whispering "Guillermoooo" multiple times after Orlok finished a sentence? Not a chance.

I guess it was kind of nice to be reminded of Nandor in any context, given What We Do in the Shadows' series finale aired in November 2024, but such comedic undertones might have been more welcomed in any other movie, even if I understand why it happened in another vampire project.

A Few Other Nosferatu Takeaways

I agree with CinemaBlend colleague Mike Reyes' thoughts about Robert Eggers creating such palpable dread throughout the film in a way that isn't utilized nearly as much as it should in modern horror.
Somewhat echoing the above point, Eggers and cinematographer Jarin Blaschke brought both classic and modern camera techniques to Nosferatu that definitely helped keep audiences uneasy, particularly when it came to slow and methodical pans across rooms.
While Bill Skarsgård quite possibly gives the best performance in the movie, the one that I genuinely enjoyed the most was the completely unhinged display from Simon McBurney as the vamp-fixated Knock. Fangs to my neck, I'd sincerely claim that McBurney is better in his relatively few scenes than Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Emma Corwin combined.
Much like every other Willem Dafoe-starring movie has proven in recent years, every movie should have Willem Dafoe in it. His weird ass portrayal might be the only purposeful slice of levity in the movie, and it was both welcomed and appreciated.
I'd like to still be thinking about the not-so-obvious changes to the original tale that were made for this movie, but that mustache keeps dripping unfamiliar fluids all over my other opinions.

If Robert Eggers made Nosferatu because he was so obsessed with the original movie during a time when it was extremely difficult to find, then does that mean I'm going to make a movie specifically about Orlok's oatmeal-sopped mustache someday? I'd like to think it's a different kind of obsession. I really, really would.

Nosferatu is still biting the chest and neck that feed in theaters now. It's reportedly heading to digital platforms for rent and purchase on January 21, but that has yet to be confirmed by Focus Features.

Bill Skarsgård Revealed The A+ Advice His Father Stellan Gave That He Still Lives By, And You Can Feel How It's Impacted His Career

Carly Levy — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 02:55:00 +0000

Bill Skarsgård has been impressing critics and audiences with his versatile roles. He’s managed to transform into very scary characters, including giving us nightmares as Pennywise in the IT movies and playing creepy Count Orlok in the recently-released Nosferatu. While the Swedish actor has raw talent, he thanks the A+ advice his father, Stellan, gave that clearly made a positive impact on his career.

We know that talent is undoubtedly an inherited trait in the Skarsgård family. The Barbarian star has acted alongside his sibling Alexander in the Swedish thriller White Water Fury. But Bill Skarsgård certainly can’t forget about Stellan, whom he credited in an MTV UK TikTok as his biggest supporter. Here was the A+ advice the Pirates of the Caribbean actor passed on to his son:

I would say my dad, you know, and he really instilled in all of us sort of this just 'trust your own instincts and if you do anything, you do it all the way.' So, if you decided to do it, you should commit yourself 100% to whatever it is. But also do please do whatever you want to do. Like there was never any sort of him encouraging us to pursue acting, per se. I think he's quite surprised that this is the way it ended up. But it was that kind of self-belief or just encouraging you to trust your own instincts.

That doesn’t come as any surprise that a multi-talented actor like Stellan Skarsgård would impart wise wisdom to his 34-year-old son. This is, after all, the same Stellan Skarsgård whose best projects have him showing depth as Boris Shcherbina in Chernobyl and spent a ton of time in the makeup chair for Dune. Each role shows the physical and psychological transformations the Guldbagge Award winner has gone through during his career that his son unquestionably took after in his own film projects.

With all of the impactful roles that Bill Skarsgård has portrayed throughout his career, he’s without a doubt established his own identity as an actor distinct from his father and siblings. The Hemlock Grove actor may have been in the entertainment business since he was a kid, but he says he’s discovered something about his own talent that he carries with him going forward:

Even when I started, I've been acting ever since I was a kid, but when I started finding that 'OK, well, I have a voice and I have a perspective and that is what is uniquely mine. And if I pursue that, something will come out of it that's genuine’. And I still try to live by that.

Bill Skarsgård has indeed proven himself to have a real understanding of his characters. The Castle Rock actor truly brought his own brand of creepy for Pennywise, like coming up with an unpredictable voice for the evil entity and a freaky trick he did with his eyes. His experience playing Nosferatu’s Count Orlok was no different in developing his vampire character and having to “inhabit” the dark role’s evil mindset. With Skarsgård a professional adult actor in the industry, it’s plain to see he takes his career seriously and isn’t afraid to do any grunt work to deliver a stellar performance.

Stellan Skarsgård absolutely gave Bill the most A+ advice he could give him to become the incredible talent he is today. Just like the Mamma Mia! actor isn’t afraid to go all out getting into character, his youngest son inherited the same courage with his own roles as well. You can draw up your own courage to see Skarsgård’s newest petrifying performance in the 2024 movie release of Nosferatu in theaters now. While you’re at it, don’t forget to see him reprising Pennywise in IT: Welcome to Derry, soon to come to your Max subscription.

‘It Was A Gory Mess’: Bill Skarsgård Grosses Us Out With Stories About Filming His Final Nosferatu Scenes With Lily-Rose Depp While Covered Head-To-Toe In Latex

Sean O'Connell — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 13:38:11 +0000

One of he surprise hits of the holiday season so far has been Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, a retelling of the vampire myth that stars Willem Dafoe, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicholas Hoult, and Bill Skarsgård as the titular creature. I say “surprise” hit not because it’d be expected that the movie be bad by any stretch. Quite the contrary. Our Nosferatu review was a positive rave, and Eggers tends to deliver moody, sprawling epics. But a vampire romance thriller released during Christmastime is counterprogramming at its finest, so we’re a little shocked – but still thrilled – to see that audiences are flocking to theaters to see the movie. Because now we are able to talk about it.

Specifically, that gonzo finale.

We are about to get into spoilers for Nosferatu, so only proceed if you have seen the movie.

Robert Eggers’ critically acclaimed movie ends with Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård) and Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) consummating their condemned attraction, as part of a larger plan Ellen participates in to rid her land of Orlok and his plague. Basically, the vampire finally is able to feast on the woman who summoned him in a dream, years prior. And it’s the most shocking appearance of Skarsgard in the Nosferatu makeup. It really is something to see.

Skarsgård and Willem Dafoe appeared as guests on CinemaBlend’s official ReelBlend podcast to talk about the making of Nosferatu, and we asked the IT star about the makeup process. Specifically, we asked about the amount of sweat that’s generated by the prosthetics Skarsgård was required to wear to become Orlok. And he told us:

In terms of the sweat? Not on the face. There was nothing on the face. Everything is like, I'm covered in latex, full body. The only surface of ME is my eyeballs and the soles of my feet. That was the only thing. Everything was covered. And when we were doing the finale, the final moment of the movie, we did 30 takes of it. Without spoiling it, it's a lot of physical performance. So you're completely exhausted, and you're sweating through. What started happening, because there was nowhere for the sweat to escape, it just created this giant bubble on my stomach. It started growing like a tumor. And then between takes, they had to pierce it. … And then on top of that, fake blood and sweat and saliva. It was a gory mess.

So nasty. Beyond nasty. Once you have seen the sex scene between Ellen and Orlok, you won’t ever forget it. As it turns out, a lot of aspects of Nosferatu ended up being unforgettable. Like working with prosthetics, makeup, and latex. Nic Hoult knows all too well how that process goes, having endured it for years to play Beast in the X-Men films. He remembers the complicated process, and was there for his Nosferatu co-star in his time of need.

As Bill Skarsgård told ReelBlend:

He's such a sweet guy. When we were on set, on the first or second day of shooting, it was the long scene where (Hoult’s character) Thomas is introduced to Orlok. And he would just go, ‘Hey, Bill…’ between takes. ‘Where's your hole?’ (laughs) ‘I know how uncomfortable this is.’ He was very compassionate about what I was going through. And I was just sitting there looking (menacing). ‘Do you want to use a water, Bill?’ And I'm like, ‘Noooo!’ But he was very sweet about it because, yeah, he had done it, and so he knows how uncomfortable it can be.

It was all worth it in the end. The Orlok character is truly remarkable, and is one of the reasons why Nosferatu has been so well received. Here’s the full conversation with Bill Skarsgård and Willem Dafoe on ReelBlend:

And make sure to see Nosferatu in theaters. If it plays to your sensibilities, then you can start to plan out future trips to the movies with our list of upcoming horror movies, all arriving in the next few months.

Even Nosferatu’s Nicholas Hoult Admitted To Being Spooked By Bill Skarsgård’s Vampire Character On Set: ‘Bill’s Very Intimidating’

Ryan LaBee — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 23:06:00 +0000

When it comes to embodying chilling characters in some of the best horror movies, Bill Skarsgård is no stranger to going all-in. From his sinister portrayal of one of the creepiest clowns in film, Pennywise in It Chapters 1 and 2, to his recent transformation into the iconic Count Orlok in Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, the actor has a knack for bringing nightmares to life. But it turns out that the Swedish-born star’s on-screen intensity isn’t just for audiences—his co-star, Nicholas Hoult, admitted that he found the Boy Kill’s World vampiric appearance terrifying on set.

Speaking with our sister site Games Radar+ at the UK premiere of Nosferatu, the former X-Men: First Class star shared how Bill Skarsgård’s physicality and commitment to his role created a genuinely intimidating presence on set. Talking with the outlet, he shared:

Bill's very intimidating. He's a physical presence. You know? He's a tall, big guy. Then he had the big costume on top of that, and his hat, and the makeup, and the physicality he brought to the character, but also the intensity. It's a wonderful performance. I'm excited for people to see it.

The entire Nosferatu cast seems to agree with Hoult, as many of them have gone on record sharing how Skarsgård’s character is the scariest thing they've ever seen. And, having seen the movie, I tend to agree. The intensity the actor brings is exactly what fans of him, Eggers, and the horror genre have come to expect.

Eggers is known for his meticulous world-building in films like The Witch and The Lighthouse (available to stream with a Max subscription). His take on the classic 1922 silent film is no different, as it is a haunting reimagining of the original story with enough originality, especially in its final act, to keep new and old audiences on the edge of their seats. With Bill Skarsgård in the role of Count Orlok, the titular vampire pursuing Lily-Rose Depp’s Ellen Hutter, it is genuinely one of the most disturbing cinematic experiences I’ve had with any of the 2024 movie releases.

Skarsgård has more than earned his reputation as a master of monstrous transformations. After haunting our dreams as the shapeshifting Pennywise, he’s now tackled one of horror’s most iconic roles: Count Orlok His take on the character is fresh, unapologetically dark, and uniquely grotesque, setting it apart from past interpretations of the material.

Critics are already heaping praise on Nosferatu, calling it one of the best vampire movies of recent years, and much of that acclaim stems from The Crow actor’s spine-chilling, unrecognizable performance. Frankly, it’s no shock that he managed to intimidate even his co-stars on set—it’s just what the Barbarian alum does best.

You can witness Bill Skarsgård’s nightmare-inducing portrayal of Orlok by heading to your local theater, as Nosferatu is currently playing in theaters. Check out our 2025 movie schedule to see what upcoming horror movies are headed to the big screen in the new year.

The Original Context Of 32 Hilarious Memes From Movie And TV

Hugh Scott — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:34:00 +0000

Some of the most famous memes on the internet come from some of the oddest places. Often you may recognize the star, or the movie or TV show, the memes come from, but the original context is completely lost on you. With this list we are going to help explain what the original context was for these famous memes.

(Image credit: Miramax)

John Travolta In Pulp Fiction

This is one of the more obvious ones. The meme is John Travolta looking around confused. It comes, of course, from Pulp Fiction, when he walks into the Wallace's house to pick up Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) for their date. When he first walks in, Mia is nowhere to be seen, but she can be heard over what seems like an intercom system or sound system. He is confused about where Mia is.

(Image credit: FX)

Charlie Day In It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

The "Pepe Silvia Conspriracy is what gives us the great meme of Charlie Day on It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia standing wide-eyed in front of a bulletin board with a red string drawn across "evidence" that he's co-worker Pepe Silvia isn't real. it comes from the Season 4 episode, "Sweet Dee Has a Heart Attack."

(Image credit: Hemdale Film Corporation)

Nicolas Cage In Vampire's Kiss

There is no better actor from which to get great memes than Nicolas Cage, especially in those scenes where Cage goes completely bananas. In Vampire's Kiss, we get such a scene when Cage is just starting to lose it after he hooks up with a vampire who bites his neck.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Gene Wilder In Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory

The "tell me more" meme, known officially as "Condescending Wonka" features Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka comes from a scene when Wonka isn't being condescending at all. He's just excited to show the kids the Ever-Lasting Gobstopper.

(Image credit: Paramount Television)

Patrick Stewart In Star Trek: The Next Generation

There is no question that the Patrick Stewart/Jean-Luc Picard facepalm from Star Trek: The Next Generation is one of the most widely used memes in the history of the entire internet. Curious, it comes from a very brief moment on the show. It's seriously like half a second when he does it. it comes from the Season 3 episode titled "Deja Q" and unsurprisingly, he's stunned by Q.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Leonardo DiCaprio In The Great Gatsby

Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the actors people most love to use in a meme and one of his most famous is from the first party scene in The Great Gatsby as he's finally introducing himself as the great Gatsby. Of course, it's matched with great fanfare in the movie, which is sadly missing from the meme (obviously).

(Image credit: NBC)

Steve Carell In The Office

Steve Carell has had some classic memes made from his expressions on The Office but none more used than the classic shot of him yelling "NO!" It will be no surprise to fans of that Carell's character Micheal is reacting to the return of his nemesis in the office, Toby Flenderson (Paul Lieberstein).

(Image credit: New Line Cinema)

Sean Bean In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

At the Council of Elrond in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Sean Bean's character Boromir declares that "One does not simply walk into Mordor." So a meme was born as the look on Bean's face is perfect for describing anything that isn't easy.

(Image credit: Hulu)

Homer In The Simpsons

The scene of Homer Simpson disappearing into the bushes, used for all kinds of memes to show embarrassment, is, incredibly, over 30 years now. The scene comes from a Season 5 episode called "Homer Loves Flanders." The scene is specifically parodying the Terminator in Terminator 2 and his shape-shifting as Homer chases after Flanders.

(Image credit: ABC)

Spider-Man In Spider-Man

The famous Spider-Man pointing at Spider-Man meme comes from way back in the 1960s and the Spider-Man cartoon that aired for one season in 1967. In the episode, the villain disguises himself as Spider-Man and they confront each other outside the police station.

(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Robert Redford In Jeremiah Johnson

Jeremiah Johnson is not one of Robert Redford's most remembered movies. In fact, there is a decent chance it would be forgotten completely if not for the famous meme of Redford with his bushy beard looking back over his shoulder seemingly approving something, as the meme makes it out to be. In the movie, he's nodding approval after having trapped a beaver.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. )

Joaquin Phoenix In The Joker

One of the most recent memes to really take off is the scene from The Joker of Joaquin Phoenix as the titular character dances on some stairs as he embraces the villain he has become. The stairs themselves have become a popular tourist spot and famous filming location in The Bronx.

(Image credit: New Line Cinema)

Ice Cube In Friday

It's a statement that has come to mean so much more than the fleeting scene it was originally in Friday. Felicia is the annoying neighbor who is always looking to get over on someone but isn't very good at it. After begging the main characters for a whole bunch of stuff, finally, Craig (Ice Cube) says curtly, "Bye Felicia" and a meme was born,

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

Willem Dafoe In Spider-Man 3

Willem Dafoe In Spider-Man 3 is really great, especially as Norman Osborn, the alter-ego of The Green Goblin. Famously he tells Peter that he is "something of a scientist himself" and that moment is one that has lived on as one of the most popular memes on the web, used to tell people that "someone is quite the something."

(Image credit: Orion Pictures)

Keanu Reeves In Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

Long before the internet was part of everyday life, people were celebrating Keanu Reeves for his famous "Whoa!" in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. In the years since, that celebration has only grown and now it's one of the most widely circulated memes in the world, usually used to signify the same thing it is in the movie, pure surprise. In the scene, it's when they discover all both Bills and Teds are thinking of the same number.

(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Laurence Fishburne In The Matrix

What if I told you that the line "What if I told you" doesn't actually appear in The Matrix? Would that blow your mind? The reason most people think it does is because of the famous meme of Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus. Morpheus is explaining what the matrix is in the scene, but he never says those words.

(Image credit: The WB)

James Van Der Beek On Dawson's Creek

The famous "Dawson" crying meme comes from a moment on Dawsom's Creek so brief if you blink at the wrong time, you'll miss it. It comes from a scene in the Season 3 finale when Dawson (James Van Der Beek) and Joey (Katie Holmes) break up. the meme has had a far longer impact on popular culture than the show, it turns out.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Tim Robinson On I Think You Should Leave

Tim Robinson's saying "You sure about that" has quickly become one of the most used memes around, especially on YouTube. It comes from a Season 2 episode of one of the best Netflix original shows, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson where Robinson is playing a stereotypical pitchman on an infomercial.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Jeff Goldblum In Jurassic Park

Ah yes, we've finally come to the "Jeff Goldblum shirtless in Jurassic Park" meme. The scene is after Goldblum's character Dr. Ian Malcolm is injured in the T-Rex attack and he is resting and trying to recover while criticizing what's happening around him.

(Image credit: Disney)

Woody And Buzz In Toy Story 2

The famous meme of Woody And Buzz from Toy Story 2 has been used for every kind of meme imaginable when trying to explain something to someone. In the movie, it doesn't really have anything to do with that. The scene is when Woody has lost his hat right before leaving with Andy for summer camp and they are desperately looking for it as Buzz seems unconcerned about it all.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Wayne Knight In Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park really is a meme-able movie and one of the most famous ones is Wayne Knight of Seinfeld fame laughing and pointing away from another character. In the scene, he is mocking Dobson (the man in the shades and the hat) for thinking anyone in the beach bar cares what they are doing there. In Meme form, it's used to mock anyone, really.

(Image credit: Constantin Film)

Bruno Ganz In Downfall

Bruno Ganz in the amazing movie Downfall is a different kind of meme as people rewrite the subtitles of the epic scene in the German movie to fit whatever they are angry about, from sports to casting decisions in the MCU. In the movie, of course, Ganz plays the evil man with a tiny mustache as he is freaking out towards the end of World War II and it's clear he and the Germans have lost.

(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Ray Liotta In GoodFellas

This famous meme comes from a very famous scene in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas. In the scene, Ray Liotta's character Henry Hill is reacting to a funny story told by Tommy (Joe Pesci). It's used for just about everything as a meme, but in the movie, Tommy is very angry at Henry for not explaining how Tommy's funny. Funny how? Funny like a clown? The meme is, that's for sure.

(Image credit: The Weinstein Company)

Leonardo DiCaprio In Django Unchained

The very famous meme of Leonardo DiCaprio laughing in Django Unchained is from a shot so brief it's amazing anyone picked up on it to even make it a meme. It's obviously from the dinner party and DiCaprio's character is laughing at his own joke, which makes the meme even better.

(Image credit: Comedy Central)

Jordan Peele In Key And Peele

Jordan Peele has become better known for his direction of amazing horror movies these days than as half of the brilliant comedy duo Key And Peele, but his most famous comes from the latter. In the sketch, his wife is asking him about his browser history, and the crazier and crazier the searches get the more he starts to sweat until it's pouring like a faucet out of his head.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Wagner Moura In Narcos

"Sad Pablo" has become very popular since Wagner Moura's amazing performance as Pablo Escobar in Narcos. The various memes on him looking sad or contemplative are taken from many moments on the show, but very rarely from when he is actually sad, Mostly they are fleeting moments of the drug kingpin thinking about his next move.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Christine Taylor In A Very Brady Sequel

"Sure Jan" is a pure classic. Obviously, it's Marsha Brady and she is indeed talking down to her sister Jan in the scene in A Very Brady Sequel, which is a pretty underrated comedy based on the original show from the 1960s. In the scene, Jan is making up a story about her imaginary boyfriend, George Glass and while everyone else in the family believes her, Marsha certainly does not.

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

Arnold Schwarzenegger And Carl Weathers In Predator

In the meme, all we get is two very muscular arms gripping hands in a very masculine handshake. One arm belongs to Arnold Schwarzenegger and the other to Carl Weathers. It comes from a scene in the first Predator movie. When the two characters, who are old friends, first see each other before the mission to seek and destroy the titular enemy.

(Image credit: Lucasfilm)

It’s a Trap! In Return Of The Jedi

This is probably the most famous meme of them all, or at least the one that most people are going to know where it comes from. The origin story here of Admiral Akbar in Return Of The Jedi after the fleet has jumped in the battle above Endor. His famous line is, of course, "It's a trap!"

(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Bill Skarsgård In It

In what has to be the creepiest popular meme around, Pennywise, as played by Bill Skarsgård in It, is looking up out of a storm drain. It occurs after one of the kids chases his paper boat as it floats down the gutter and into the sewer.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures)

Leonardo DiCaprio In Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

Proving that everyone loves a great Leonardo DiCaprio meme, one of the more popular ones lately is of the actor from Once Upon A Time In Hollywood as he points at the TV because he's about to be on. Not seen in the photo is Brad Pitt, who is also in the scene watching with DiCaprio.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Nicolas Cage In Wicker Man

"NOT THE BEES!" is one of Nicolas Cage's most unhinged lines from a totally unhinged movie, The Wicker Man. It's a movie that seemingly only exists for the memes. There are a lot of options in the movie, that's for sure.

Bill Skarsgård Discusses How Playing Pennywise In It Impacted His Career Approach To Other Roles

Carly Levy — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 23:06:00 +0000

There’s no denying that Bill Skarsgård knows how to play creepy really well. He truly took the public by storm with his performance as Stephen King’s terrifying clown from It -- Pennywise. Since then, Skarsgård has been able to play another scary figure, including one in Robert Eggers' Nosferatu. Today, the Swedish actor actually credits his Pennywise stint for the way it's impacted his career and approach to other roles.

Fans have seen Bill Skarsgård play a human in projects like Hemlock Grove, Castle Rock and Barbarian. But, when The Crow actor plays otherworldly creatures, it can be truly unsettling. In Robert Eggers' aforementioned remake that critics are calling “horrifically brilliant,” Skarsgård sinks his own teeth into Transylvanian vampire Count Orlok. In his interview with EW, the Atomic Blonde actor got real about having to transform into the menacing count. From there, he explained how It changed the course of his career:

I, too, think about my career in every aspect of it if I hadn't done Pennywise. I've approached characters very differently ever since I did the first It movie. In terms of the prosthetics, that is, in a lot of ways, a very superficial part of the job. It is something that's on top of the surface. In terms of creating something that is incredibly abstract and so far away from what I am as a person, Pennywise was the biggest [at the time]. I think Orlok is an even bigger leap.

It appears that playing Derry’s malevolent entity broke the ice for Bill Skarsgård as far as playing transformative roles goes. While wearing such heavy prosthetics can help with the physical transformation process, an actor still needs to know how to mentally separate themself from the role. It sounds like the John Wick 4 actor learned from Pennywise how to take his real-life self out of a given character.

You’d never know when first looking at It’s Pennywise that it's Bill Skarsgård underneath all of that extreme face paint. The talented actor brought a fresh perspective to the Stephen King character by adding his own creepy components. For example, he did this freaky non-CGI trick with his eyes to make them cross and uncross and came up with Pennywise’s smile based on the fun he had scaring his little brother. I love that the scary role not only helped boost the actor's career but also impacted his decision to take on other dark roles.

On that note, playing Count Orlok in Nosferatu was an entirely different story for Bill Skarsgård as the vampire character even “terrified” him. After all, the Nine Days actor himself is far different from a centuries-old vampire obsessed with a young woman. Initially, Skarsgård couldn’t help but compare his Nosferatu transformation to Pennywise, considering the prosthetics. Additionally, the Anna Karenina actor worked with an opera coach to learn how to roll those Rs like a Transylvanian in a low vocal register. Talk about commitment.

Now, after playing the scary vampiric character, Bill Skarsgård says he never wants to play “something this evil again” because of the dark places he had to inhabit mentally. Interestingly, after playing Pennywise, the star had horrific dreams about the body-shifting entity as well. So it goes without saying that portraying these kinds of characters aren't easy, but they can truly allow an actor like Skarsgård to challenge themselves. I'm hoping the A-lister isn't done with such roles for good.

For now, check out the actor's work in the 2024 movie release Nosferatu, which is now playing in theaters. You can also grab a Max subscription to stream It Chapters One and Two to see his turn as Pennywise, who the actor will reprise in the upcoming prequel series Welcome to Derry.

Willem Dafoe & Bill Skarsgård Talk Robert Eggers, Dracula | 'Nosferatu' Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 21:55:42 +0000

Willem Dafoe and Bill Skarsgård join us for an exclusive interview about the making of their film "Nosferatu," directed by Robert Eggers. In our penultimate interview of the year (that's right, one more!), Willem Dafoe and Bill Skarsgård break down their process and approach to bringing the classic movie monster to the big screen. Bill shares details about his voice for the Nosferatu character and how no one, even his loved ones, believes it is actually him. Willem praises his director Robert Eggers, explaining how he is a one-of-a-kind filmmaker working today.

Our final interview of the year is dropping Friday so keep a look out for our chat with "Babygirl" director Halina Reijn!

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9 Actors I'd Love To See Play Clayface In Mike Flanagan's DC Villain Movie

Jason Wiese — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 10:04:00 +0000

Learning that Mike Flanagan is writing a movie about Clayface is, personally, one of the most exciting updates to the slate of upcoming DC movies I have heard in a long time (especially when considering how slow progress for Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II appears to be going). The announcement of the Clayface movie has brought up some questions, such as who is directing and whether or not Batman will appear, but what I am most curious about at the moment is who will take on the title role.

According to Variety, Flanagan (the mind behind some of the best horror movies in recent memory) previously pitched the idea to DC Studios as a “horror/thriller tragedy,” which suggests to me that portraying this villain – basically a humanoid blob who can imitate any person he wishes – is going to take some heavy lifting. Below, I have a few ideas of what actors could handle the weight of playing Clayface in what is technically an upcoming Batman movie. Who might be in the best shape to mold the character into perfection?

(Image credit: Universal / Blumhouse)

Christopher Abbott

Clayface has taken on many different iterations in the pages of DC Comics and in adaptations but two of the most definitive aspects to the criminal’s story are elements similar to a body horror movie and themes of identity loss. Christopher Abbott – who recently played a villiain in a the new superhero movie, Kraven the Hunter – is an actor who has tackled both, as a man who loses control of his body in 2020’s Possessor and a husband and father undergoing a grotesque transformation in Blumhouse’s Wolf Man movie, which is due in 2025.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Brad Pitt

The first and most famous version of Clayface is Basil Karlo – a 1940s B-movie actor who takes on the eponymous moniker, based on a character he once played, after being passed for the opportunity to reprise another famous role drives him to madness. Despite the homicidal tendencies, the character reminds me a bit of Brad Pitt’s tragic role in Babylon as Jack Conrad – an aging actor longing to reclaim his glory days – which is why I believe the Academy Award winner, who is also lacking in many comic book roles, would be a great fit for the part.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Brendan Fraser

An Academy Award winner who has real-life experience with the struggle of fading in and out of the spotlight is Brendan Fraser, who has already dipped his feet in the world of DC as Robotman on Doom Patrol. However, he came oh so close to shining in a DC villain role (Firefly) before the nearly finished Batgirl movie was cancelled, and I think leading Clayface would be a wonderful consolation.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Zach Gilford

An actor whom I believe would also be a great choice to portray the vain and self-destructive tendencies of Clayface is Zach Gilford, based on his performance as a younger Roderick Usher in the great Netflix horror TV show, The Fall of the House of Usher. The miniseries is actually just one of a few acclaimed Mike Flanagan TV shows he has starred in (also including Midnight Mass and The Midnight Club), which could also increase his chances of landing the gig.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Oliver Jackson-Cohen

Another alum of the Flanagan Family whom I really admire is Oliver Jackson-Cohen, whose performance in 2018’s The Haunting of Hill House as recovering addict Luke Crain shows he has also mastered playing self-destructive characters. However, it is his performance as the ghostly Peter in The Haunting of Bly Manor that convinces me he is even better at portraying characters who are sinister but somewhat sympathetic, which would be key to playing Clayface.

(Image credit: Prime Video)

Paul Mescal

Taking the necessity of making Clayface sympathetic into account, a performer who especially comes to mind as a perfect fit in that regard would be Paul Mescal. The Irish actor and Gladiator II star pours raw emotion in every role he plays and someone with his skills would make this strange comic book villain more real than ever.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Bill Skarsgård

For some, Bill Skarsgård’s attempt at playing a comic book hero with the 2024 reboot of The Crow serves as further proof that the star of Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu especially shines as a villain. Perhaps, by channeling the shapeshifting entity he previously played in the creepy clown movies, It and It Chapter Two, he could make an astounding DC movie debut as the most intimidating Clayface ever.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Ron Perlman

Most fans might agree that the absolute strongest performance as Clayface in an adaptation yet was voiced by Ron Perlman in one of the best episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, “Feats of Clay.” Combining both elements of Basil Karlo’s Silver Age and Post-Crisis iterations, the portrayal is recognized as one of the most definitive versions of the villain. Thus, the former Hellboy actor understands the role on a deeper level than just about anyone else, making him deserving of the chance to bring him to life in live-action.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. )

Christian Bale

Since appearing in one of the recent Marvel movies (Thor: Love and Thunder) as Gorr the God-butcher, people have been curious if one of the best Batman actors, Christian Bale, could return to the world of DC Comics in another role one day. Would it not be amazing to see the chameleonic Academy Award winner make his return to the DC movies by leading Clayface as a, literally, chameleonic actor?

As noted in one of Adam Holmes’ own questions about Clayface, it is possible that Alan Tudyk already has the role, because the beloved actor already voices him for both Harley Quinn and James Gunn’s new DC TV show, Creature Commandos. Of course, that would depend on the continuity followed by this new DCU movie, which could be another Elseworlds story set in Matt Reeves’ Batman Epic Crime Saga. Until we know for sure, any of the actors above have my vote to play Clayface.

‘I Never Want To Play Something This Evil Again’: Ahead Of Nosferatu, Bill Skarsgård Gets Real About The ‘Hardest’ Parts Of Developing His Vampire Character

Maggie Sheck — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 21:00:07 +0000

Bill Skarsgård has already played one of the scariest modern horror villains, thanks to his performance as Pennywise in It. However, it seems like he may outdo himself, with his terrifying performance in the upcoming adaptation of Nosferatu. The newest take on the classic monster story will be one of the last major films to premiere on the 2024 movie schedule, and with the Swedish actor claiming he never wants to prep for or play something this scary again, it’s sure to be haunting.

The Barbarian alum, who plays Count Orlok in the film, has already been highlighted as a marvel in reviews for Nosferatu. However, preparing for and playing the part was not easy, as Skarsgård explained during an interview with Empire. Breaking down the details of prepping for this part, the It actor shared just how intense voice training was, saying:

The voice was the thing I worked the hardest at. For a month-and-a-half leading up to the shoot, I didn’t do much else than just record myself. And on set, I would keep doing these exercises. It sounds kind of like Mongolian throat-singing. It’s [insane].

Hearing about how much time went into this niche vocal training, recording it all, and reviewing it seems so isolating unto itself. However, Skarsgård’s dedication does seem like it will pay off in spades. Although, after hearing about all this, I can’t blame him for wanting to step out of these darker roles – he’s put more than enough time and effort into this genre.

The Crow alum also expanded on how figuring out the voice and the sinister aura of Orlok as well as wearing his prosthetics took a toll on him. So, now he says he is done with villainous characters, explaining:

When we were done with it, I was like, ‘I never want to play something this evil again. I never want to put on prosthetics again.’ It really affected me. Orlok is an occult sorcerer, and it did a number on me in terms of just trying to inhabit that space.

Again, the deep dive he’s done here is impressive, and it’s not surprising how much it affected the young actor.

However, truthfully, it’s a little jarring to hear just how impacted he was by Nosferatu, because the Boy Kills World star is no stranger to the horror genre. He’s shared that playing Orlok was scarier than portraying Pennywise, and that honestly has me quaking in my boots for what awaits us on Christmas day.

Overall, I am anxious and excited to see Nosferatu and Skarsgård's performance in this spooky and disturbing film, because if this horror king was impacted by it all, I'm positive I'll be horrified in the best way.

Now, when it comes to what's next for Skarsgård, I hope he finds some lighter material to dive into for his upcoming projects. Also, along with the new territory, I hope he’s able to take on some easier characters that require less hard prep and prosthetics.

Nosferatu will be playing in theaters on December 25.

Nosferatu’s Cast Calls Bill Skarsgard’s Character ‘One Of The Most Terrifying Things’ They Have Ever Seen, And I Completely Agree

Sean O'Connell — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 17:05:20 +0000

We have not, to this point, seen a movie like Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu. That’s not to say that we haven’t seen versions of the Dracula myth before. Most of us can tell you the key ingredients for any type of Dracula tale. Bites on the neck, blood that is sucked, a mysterious force that hunts near midnight. But here’s one thing that Eggers movie has that the previous iterations did not have? The presence of Bill Skarsgard, famously known for bringing Pennywise and The Crow to life, and now turning his attentions to Count Orlok in the upcoming 20204 movie Nosferatu.

In this exclusive clip, shared only on CinemaBlend, the Nosferatu cast talk about Bill Skarsgard getting into character. Check this out while you wait for the movie to open.

I’m still glad that Focus Features, in this exclusive clip, hid the horrifying voice that Nicholas Hoult is talking about in the above, exclusive clip. Because there’s no real way for us to describe it. You just have to trust in the fact that the actor claims it’s more disturbing than anything he did as Pennywise the Clown in the two-part IT adaptation. And when you think back to all of the horrible things that he did to children in those movies, that might help you brace for the evils of Nosferatu.

The rest of Nosferatu is a chilling ride. Anyone familiar with Robert Eggers knows that he’s a master of establishing mood, tension, and dread. He has properly colored in such disturbing features as The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman. And so far, critics have fallen over themselves to praise the work that he has accomplished in this Dracula tale. It is truly unlike anything that you have seen in theaters this year, and possibly could find itself in several key awards races as 2025 rolls along.

(Image credit: Focus Features)

You might think that Nosferatu is an unusual movie to release at Christmas time. But the film industry actually has a rich history of counterprogramming horror during the holidays, as some people want to get away from the sincerity of a Hallmark Christmas movie, or the familiarity of yet another viewing of A Christmas Story. We know, we know. You’ll shoot your eye out.

Instead, this holiday season, let Robert Eggers and his cast take you on a terrifying journey into the unknown, where a powerful entity (Bill Skarsgard) seizes the love and attention of an innocent maiden (Lily-Rose Depp) from across the land, and we wonder if a mad professor (Willem Dafoe) can come up with a solution to end the reign of terror in time. Nosferartu opens in theaters on Christmas Day. Grab your tickets now.

‘Cryptic, Beautiful And Unsettling’: Critics Have Seen Nosferatu, And They Have Strong Feelings About Robert Eggers’ Horror Remake

Heidi Venable — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 23:20:21 +0000

It’s been nearly 10 years since it was announced that Robert Eggers would be remaking one of the best horror flicks of all time in Nosferatu. Thankfully the long wait is about to come to an end, with the film starring Bill Skarsgård as its titular monster making its debut on the 2024 movie calendar on Christmas Day. It sounds like horror fans might be in for a pretty frightening experience, given that Skarsgård has said his Count Orlok is even more terrifying than Pennywise in It, who he played in the 2017 and 2019 adaptations.

First reactions to the 2024 Nosferatu remake seemed to support that claim, as critics were ready to sink their teeth into the movie, which also stars Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp and a host of other talent. Let’s see what they’re saying now that they can expand on their initial thoughts, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of Nosferatu. Eric Eisenberg rates the film 4 out of 5 stars, noting the irony but standing by his statement that Robert Eggers has breathed new life into the classic vampire tale, with help from a truly transformed leading actor. He says:

It’s Bill Skarsgård’s turn as Count Orlok that is the greatest achievement of Nosferatu. If it weren’t for the fact that the actor’s name is in the cast, one would be hard-pressed to identify him in the role, as it is a full and masterful transformation. His co-stars may not do region-accurate accents, but he entrances with a deep and rolling Romanian brogue, the words uttered from rotting lips beneath a thick, long, black mustache. He emanates control with his presence, but he is also very much an animated corpse.

Becky Darke of GamesRadar also gives the upcoming horror movie 4 stars out of 5, saying that despite its relatively straightforward retelling of a classic tale, the sights and sounds are stunning. The critic recommends that movie lovers see this one in theaters in order to fully experience the aural cacophony. Darke concludes:

The new Nosferatu is a success; it looks and sounds stunning, is packed with the vampiric horror you’d hope for from the director of such atmospheric works as The Witch and The Lighthouse, is beautifully performed and competently retells a narrative we all know and love. But perhaps this last point is also what stops it from being a perfect movie: it’s solid, but it does very little to push any boundaries of what could be done to bring the ultimate vampire story up to date.

Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com rates Nosferatu a perfect 4 out of 4 stars. Despite being made with the most modern technology, the movie feels like an artifact from another time, the critic writes. He calls it an “awesome achievement,” writing:

Robert Eggers' Nosferatu is a cryptic, beautiful and unsettling experience: transporting in the purest way. The writer-director of The Witch, The Lighthouse and The Northman is a rare filmmaker who seems capable of putting his modern consciousness aside when telling stories. There are no metaphors or analogies, only uncanny things that actually happen. Witches exist, curses and prophecies are real, and a vampire is a monster with the ability not just to shift shapes and drink blood but distort the fabric of reality itself through force of pure evil.

Siddhant Adlakha of IGN echoes the sentiment of making the age-old feel fresh, noting Nosferatu’s scary and sensual approach. The critic rates the movie an “Amazing” 9 out of 10, writing:

Nosferatu is Robert Eggers' finest work, given how it both boldly stands on its own as a gothic vampire drama and astutely taps into the original texts — F.W. Murnau's silent classic and Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. This resplendent horror remake keeps the broad strokes of these vampire legends intact, but refashions them into a terrifying, candle-lit tale of bodily autonomy — or lack thereof — that challenges previous versions of the story (and their conceptions of female sexuality) and in which Lily-Rose Depp delivers a harrowing performance opposite Bill Skarsgård's unsettling, corpse-like villain.

Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence laments that Bram Stoker’s Dracula has been so thoroughly explored at this point that this movie hitting all the familiar plot beats results in “almost zero suspense.” However, it’s never not beautiful to look at, Miller says, even in its most grotesque moments. The critic grades the modern remake a B and says:

Nosferatu delivers exactly what it promised — a new version of a classic tale, told by one of our most technically accomplished filmmakers. And this is certainly a more explicitly sexy version of Nosferatu than what the original German film delivered 102 years ago. However, it otherwise follows its source material, as well as the paths laid out by other adaptations, so faithfully that its most original elements feel drowned out by the familiar. It’s perhaps the best-made Dracula adaptation to come around in a long time. But it never feels essential.

So it sounds like no real surprises are in store as far as plot goes, but critics seem to universally agree that Robert Eggers’ direction combined with Jarin Blaschke's cinematography and an ensemble of impressive performances make this worth the price of admission.

Horror movie fans have waited a decade for the Nosferatu remake, and especially after reading such positive things from the critics, it hopefully won’t be too hard to wait another few weeks. The film hits the big screen on Wednesday, December 25.

Bill Skarsgård Recalls The Dreams He Had After Playing Pennywise In It, And They Sound Like They’re Straight Out Of A Horror Film

Ryan LaBee — Sat, 16 Nov 2024 22:09:42 +0000

Portraying a character as diabolical as one of the most sinister clowns in cinema–Pennywise the Dancing Clown–in the It films is bound to leave a mark on any actor. For Bill Skarsgård, the experience seeped into his subconscious, manifesting in unsettling dreams that could rival any script for the best horror movies. Now, the Boy Kills World actor has revealed more about the strange, haunting dreams he experienced after stepping into the clown’s terrifying shoes.

Reflecting on his post-It experience with Vanity Fair, Skarsgård described how embodying the Stephen King creation left an unexpected mark on his psyche. As he explained:

Those dreams were so strange. Either I was confronting Pennywise and I was upset with him, yelling at him—or I was Pennywise, but I was walking around in the streets that I grew up on, and I’m like, No, no. I shouldn’t be out here in public walking around like this. This is not how it’s supposed to be done. It was this weird thing where I was trying to separate myself from this thing, literally back in the place that I grew up in, in the same apartment that I grew up in.

The idea of confronting Pennywise—or even becoming him—while roaming the familiar streets of his childhood adds a surreal, psychological twist to the Clark performer’s experience. It also shows that portraying one of the scariest modern horror villains isn’t something you just leave behind on set.

This isn’t the first—or the last—time Bill Skarsgård has dived headfirst into a dark and transformative role, but Pennywise? That was a whole other level. Between the nightmare-inducing smile, the spine-chilling voice, and that downright unsettling physicality, it’s no surprise that the character stuck with him long after the makeup came off.

The Devil All The Time star has a well-documented love for transformation in his performances. Whether it was playing an autistic teen early in his career, the vengeful outcast in The Crow, or his latest monstrous turn as Count Orlok in Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu remake, the Barbarian star keeps proving he’s not afraid to go to the dark side—and we’re all better (and more terrified) for it.

Funny enough, the John Wick: Chapter 4 performer revealed that despite the lingering effects of the killer clown, he’s most scared of his upcoming take on the iconic vampire. According to the actor, this role took him even further from his own personality than Pennywise did, requiring rigorous voice work and movement studies, including a dive into “corpse dancing” techniques.

But staying in one lane? That's not Bill Skarsgård’s style. While he’s certainly made a name for himself exploring monstrous and dark characters, the actor has his eyes set on expanding his range, teasing future ventures into gritty dramas and even dark comedies. No matter the role—or the psychological toll that comes with it—the Swedish star is all about pushing his limits, and honestly, we’re here for it.

For now, fans can marvel at Skarsgård’s ability to fully embrace the darkness—even when it sneaks into his dreams. Want to relive his killer clown days? Both It chapters are streaming with a Max subscription. And if you’re ready for more spooky from the Castle Rock veteran, Nosferatu lands a spot on the 2024 movie schedule this Christmas, December 25. Who needs holiday cheer when you’ve got vampiric upcoming horror movies?

‘He Was Pretty Intimidated’: Nosferatu’s Director Opens Up About Bill Skarsgård’s First Reaction To The Movie’s Intense Vampire Design

Eric Eisenberg — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 01:41:02 +0000

Bill Skarsgård is no stranger to physical transformation for a performance. After all, the Swedish actor is best known for playing Pennywise The Dancing Clown in IT and IT: Chapter Two, which was a character that required an intense amount of makeup and prosthetics to bring to life. In the upcoming horror movie Nosferatu, he is back at it again playing the grotesque vampire Count Orlok – but even with his previous experiences under his belt, he was still apparently put back on his heels when writer/director Robert Eggers first presented what he had in mind for the new incarnation of the iconic monster.

Eggers spoke about the actor’s initial reaction to the character design earlier this month during a post-screening Q&A with Guillermo del Toro in Los Angeles (the same screening that yielded the first public reactions to Nosferatu). While discussing his approach to bringing the iconic character to life, the filmmaker talked about working with prosthetic makeup FX designer David White and how Bill Skarsgård was taken aback when he first saw what was being ideated. Said Eggers,

David [White] is so talented; it was so much fun to work on. But then when Bill [Skarsgård] first saw the bust, he was like, 'This guy didn't look like me when he was alive,' and he was pretty intimidated. But as soon as he put it on, I saw the moment when he was like inspired by the makeup and knew that he could do something with it.

Having seen the film, I can tell you that Bill Skarsgård is unrecognizable in the role of Count Orlok – with rotting, corpse-like skin, bald head, and a large black mustache disguising all of the man’s familiar features. I can understand why the actor may have been nervous about properly executing Robert Eggers’ vision (he has previously said he’s “never been more terrified of a role”), but when you see him on screen, it’s pure cinema magic.

Eggers further explained that while it took two hours for Bill Skarsgård to transform into Count Orlok for scenes where he is fully clothed (a.k.a. makeup being applied to just his hands and head), the actor had to spend six hours in a chair for sequences where he is featured unclothed (I won’t say more about those for spoiler reasons).

In regards to the Count Orlok design itself, the Nosferatu writer/director said that he did some of his own personal illustrations of the character during the film’s long time in development, but he gives a lot of credit to his collaborators for the final look. For example, it was David White who found a cool way to reference the vampire’s notably pointed ears from the original 1922 Nosferatu, in which the character is portrayed by actor Max Schreck:

I had thought a lot about it, so I did some digital paintings that are quite close to what Bill did, but obviously David White, it's his job, and he's so much more talented. He also came up with the idea to the reference the Max Schreck ears by having the ears be rotten away into points, which was very cool.

He also gave some special credit to Florin Lazarescu, who wasn’t a member of the makeup team, but instead is credited on the film as “Adviser, researcher, conlanger.” While Robert Eggers is known for his intense attention to detail, it was Lazarescu who convinced him that a certain amount of blushing was necessary to properly depict a classic vampire:

Florin Lazarescu, the Transylvania expert, said, 'You remember – I know everyone likes to ignore it – but you remember that often in the folklore, it says the vampire was red-faced. And I'm like, 'Fuck.' In the scenes where his face is actually red, it's like fire lit, so you can't really see it. But we have like blood pooling under his flesh in certain places to try to like reference that.

It’s something to pay attention to when you get to see the film for yourselves – and that opportunity is coming in just a little over a month. Also starring Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, Emma Corrin, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Ineson, and Simon McBurney, Nosferatu will be arriving in theaters on December 25. To discover all of the features set for release between now and the end of the year, both on the big screen and on streaming, check out our 2024 Movie Release Calendar.

Nosferatu Has Screened, And Critics Are Sinking Their Teeth Into This ‘Horrifically Brilliant’ Remake

Heidi Venable — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 18:04:23 +0000

Dracula may be the first thing you think of when it comes to the best vampire flicks, but that wasn’t the only classic that was inspired by Bram Stoker’s novel. The 1922 film Nosferatu is also considered one of the greatest horror movies of all time, and thanks to filmmaker Robert Eggers, we’ll see a new version hitting the 2024 movie calendar. Despite there being over a month before its release in theaters, some are attending early screenings, and the critics are already sinking their teeth into the horror remake Nosferatu.

To be clear, that’s quite a good thing when it comes to vampire movies, and indeed the first reactions to Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok are likely enough to make even the most casual of horror fans intrigued. Nosferatu also stars Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp and a number of other big names that have some saying it’s one of their favorite films of the year. CinemaBlend’s own Eric Eisenberg doesn’t go that far, but he does say it’s worth the buzz. His post says:

I admittedly didn't walk out of Robert Eggers' Nosferatu thinking that it's going to end up on my ‘Best of 2024’ list, but there is an amazing degree of passion on screen, the filmmaking craft is spectacular, and Bill Skarsgärd's Count Orlok is an awesome achievement. Be excited!

Horror lover Heather Wixson, however, says the upcoming horror movie is her favorite of the year. She had an emotional response to Robert Eggers’ passion project, writing:

Excited that I finally get to talk about Nosferatu as it is a breathtaking masterpiece & my favorite film of 2024. Meticulously directed & featuring incredible performances from the entire cast, Robert Eggers casts an intoxicating spell w/his haunting take on this timeless tale… No joke, I was in tears for the final 15 minutes of this film; it hit me THAT hard. I have loved everything from Robert Eggers thus far but Nosferatu is his magnum opus. This one immediately imprinted itself in my heart & soul. I loved it so freaking much.

Rodrigo Perez also says Nosferatu will end up in the critic’s Top 10 list for the year, if not the Top 5. In addition to a creepy, unsettling tone akin to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, it showcases a dark eroticism throughout that may leave audiences simultaneously grossed out and turned on. Perez continues on X (Twitter):

NOSFERATU: a masterful, unnerving, spine-tingling gothic horror of the highest order, Robert Eggers’ best film. Surprise amazing performance from Lily Rose-Depp, everyone is terrific. Riveting, hypnotic, amazing craft on every level including impressive camera work.

Clayton Davis of Variety praises Bill Skarsgård in a role that scared the actor more than Pennywise in It, as well as co-stars Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe, saying:

Nosferatu is paralyzing fear fully realized under the vision of writer and director Robert Eggers. Dude is just clearing his throat in cinema. He hasn't yet begun to sing, and I'm digging all of his numbers. Bill Skarsgård is menacing while Lily-Rose Depp is haunting. Every movie gets automatically upgraded simply because Willem Dafoe is in it. An artisan wet dream. Gorgeous and horrifically brilliant. I'm a fan.

Emerson Testa agrees the “crazy vampire hunter” Willem Dafoe only adds to an already brilliant film, with Bill Skarsgård perfectly embodying the titular monster. In Testa’s words:

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is a masterclass. The performances across the board are nothing short of spectacular, with Depp standing out giving a haunting and hypnotic portrayal of the cursed figure. It goes without saying, the film pushes the throttle pedal when Dafoe enters… Eggers’ direction is enlightened, making the atmosphere thick with dread. The production design is massive, creating a sense of scale and immersion that really captures every shadow, every rustling breeze and feels part of a grander, ominous world.

Courtney Howard lauds the horror movie’s director as well as the crew in charge of the “haunting compositions,” “painterly cinematography,” and “inspired production design.” Also, Howard warns that if you weren’t already afraid of rats, you will be now. The critic says:

Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu goes HARDER than any other horror film this year. Holy fuck. A gorgeous grotesquerie of dread-infused terrors & a divine dark delight. Bill Skarsgård’s Count Orlok is pure sinister nightmare fuel. Lily Rose Depp & Nicholas Hoult’s best work to date.

Griffin Schiller of FilmSpeak is another who says the remake of the German classic is going to end up on a “best of 2024 list,” writing:

Nosferatu surpasses the hype as Eggers delivers a wickedly sinister reimagining of the iconic legend. A deeply chilling nightmare that lingers. If you love the horny fever dream of Coppola's Dracula you'll adore this. Lilly Rose Depp is ASTOUNDING! Easily one of the year's best.

Perri Nemiroff also praises Jarin Blaschke’s cinematography, with both atmospheric elements and Robert Eggers’ passion seemingly leaping off of the screen. The critic posts:

Nosferatu is a chilling stunner. A film that wastes no time digging its claws in and making its evil feel inescapable. That quality is heavily tied to four particular performances - Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Simon McBurney and Lily-Rose Depp. Skarsgård continues to prove he’s an unparalleled creature actor. Hoult delivers big blending sheer terror with a palpable love that drives his character. McBurney is wildly captivating as Knock, teeing up the evil on the horizon. And then there’s Depp who’s an utter powerhouse, brilliantly carving her character’s intoxicating path toward the darkness.

The first reactions to Nosferatu are nothing if not promising, and for those who have been looking forward to seeing Bill Skarsgård in this role, surrounded by what sounds like some impressive performances from his colleagues, this movie remake might be just the Christmas gift you were hoping for. Nosferatu is set to hit theaters on Wednesday, December 25.

Bill Skarsgård Played Pennywise But Said He’s Most ‘Terrified’ Of His Vampire Character In Nosferatu, And Now I Really Can’t Wait To See This Movie

Ryan LaBee — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 12:03:09 +0000

Bill Skarsgård has brought bone-chilling characters to life in some of the best horror movies. His iconic portrayal of It's Pennywise the Clown (which he will reprise in a prequel series) left audiences terrified and enthralled. However, his latest role -- the infamous vampire Count Orlok in Robert Eggers' upcoming Nosferatu remake -- may have pushed him to a new level of dread, Skarsgård says he's never been so "terrified" by a role. And, as someone who's already been pumped forthe upcoming horror movie, I'm even more excited now!

The Crow star spoke to Robert Eggers for AnOther Magazine discussion. Amid the chat, he opened up about how portraying Count Orlok, a role immortalized in the 1922 silent classic, left him feeling more shaken than any character he’s embodied to date. Considering his chilling embodiment of Pennywise continues to haunt many, this declaration is enough to send excitement for the film soaring. But what makes this role so terrifying for an actor who already thrives in the world of the grotesque? In the actor's own words:

But I have to say, I’ve never been more terrified of a role and probably won’t be again. The whole journey was so intense. Once you start channeling something that’s not you, you feel like a vessel. And you can go entire movies where that doesn’t happen at all or it happens in moments, but that’s always what you’re striving towards. In that moment, the doors are open and it’s flowing through me. I’ve never prepared this hard for anything before either. But once we started shooting, Orlok was very formed and he started to flow. I could connect and dial up to wherever Orlok was and he would come through. It was an intense ride.

(Image credit: Focus Features )

That's a serious declaration from the Devil All the Time star, to say the least. Some may shiver at the notion of seeing a big-screen beast who's more sinister than the dancing clown. On the one hand, I'm tempted to shiver. However, on the other, I'm just downright giddy and prepared to be scared!

For Bill Skarsgård, who's known for disappearing into his roles, the intensity of playing the famous Vamp took a toll. He admitted that the process of becoming Orlok was deeply unsettling because of how disconnected he felt from himself during the performance. Reflecting on his time as Pennywise, he noted that while the character was an “abstraction” of himself, Orlok was something else entirely -- something far more daunting:

The closest I have in terms of this experience is obviously Pennywise and the Bob Gray thing, where you’re creating something so make-up dependent, but also so abstract from who you are – it’s an abstraction. But with Orlok I couldn’t use any of myself in it. Like, Bill cannot be here at all. And that’s terrifying. I had a hard time committing to performing it, it felt so strange and uncomfortable.

O.G. The Crow Director Is Having A Blast Trolling Bill Skarsgård's Remake Bombing At The Box Office

Mike Reyes — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 15:27:53 +0000

The box office bombs of the 2024 movie schedule have had some entries that shall live in infamy for quite some time. Earlier this year Madame Web landed with a thud that some can still hear echoing through the internet today. And now, thanks to The Crow’s opening weekend numbers, another cinematic tragedy is about to unfold.

So it’s naturally that point in the story arc where O.G. Crow director Alex Proyas has a blast trolling how the Bill Skarsgård fronted remake is faring. To be certain Proyas’ previous comments on The Crow still seem to apply, as the trolls he’s shared on his Facebook page don’t cut nearly as deep as they could.

With that in mind, there is a bit of vindication that seems to be at work with his social media schadenfreude. In fact, the earlier posts Proyas’ recent run of redemption started with remarks such as these:

Posted by RealAlexProyas on

One only needs to look at write-ups like our own Eric Eisenberg’s review of The Crow to see that the long in development reboot was misguided at best, and totally unnecessary in the worst case. Overall critical reaction to what’s been branded as a “reimagining” seems to savagely support that, as the picture currently sits at 19% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Which could help explain how the box office is so dismal that Alex Proyas was able to share this burn over the weekend:

Posted by RealAlexProyas on

What’s kind of strange about all of this is that somehow the Popcornmeter, Rotten Tomatoes’ anti-trolling fan score system, has the movie sitting at 65%. It may not be enough to earn the site’s new “Verified Hot” badge, but it’s shaping up to be another potential case where viewers and critics wildly diverge in opinions.

Turning back for a moment to the horrible haul The Crow 2024 has brought in, here’s another dig from the legacy director. This time, the man of the hour uses the picture's public perception as its ultimate downfall:

Posted by RealAlexProyas on

Of course, there’s more ways to slay a film’s reputation than its box office standings. And sure enough, Alex Proyas started to dig into the fan reactions from the more negative side of the aisle. Adding insult to injury, the Australian helmer slyly inferred what the future may hold for Lionsgate’s latest release, thanks to the following comment:

Posted by RealAlexProyas on

Capping off this cacophony of criticism is a meme that someone had created when referencing The Crow 2024’s less than open reception. Delivering a comedic message that could probably say it all, this image is among some of Proyas’ most recent contributions:

Posted by RealAlexProyas on

Does The Crow have the power to potentially become another moment where, much as we saw in IF’s critics vs. fans discourse, the people may favor this project more than “the establishment?” That’s will remain to be seen as the next couple of weeks play out at the box office. Stranger things have happened, for sure; so it’s not like anyone can totally rule it out at the moment.

That being said, if the box office continues on the trajectory Alex Proyas has honed in on, such a re-appraisal may have to wait. The home entertainment release for The Crow could lead to a potentially vengeful afterlife of streaming rentals and physical purchases. Like the O.G. Eric Draven once said, “it can’t rain all the time.” Or can it?

The Crow reimagining is currently still in theaters, in case you’re curious about experiencing the results for yourself. Meanwhile, Alex Proyas’ original 1994 classic is available on a brand new 4K disc, as well as streaming through access to a Paramount+ subscription.

Bill Skarsgård Went All In On ‘The Crow’ | Rupert Sanders Interview

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 11:30:48 +0000

Director Rupert Sanders joins ReelBlend to discuss his new remake of The Crow, starring Bill Skarsgård and FKA twigs. We discuss whether or not the original film starring Brandon Lee was of any influence, Bill Skarsgård's approach and intense commitment to the role, how they side-stepped the Hollywood system to create a "fierce one-quadrant movie," and more.

We are off of the main show this week, but stay tuned! We will be back next week with a great show, and our September guest list is already stacking up. You won't want to miss out.

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Critics Have Seen The Crow Remake, And It's Being Called A 'Lifeless' And 'Pointless' Goth Superhero Flick

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 00:18:02 +0000

As we look ahead to this weekend in new 2024 movies, we may have a dud on our hands with The Crow remake. Just ahead of the adaptation landing in theaters Thursday night, Lionsgate Films lifted the embargo for the Bill Skarsgård-led flick, and critics are not happy with the long-awaited reimagining of James O’Barr’s comic.

Let’s start things off with CinemaBlend’s The Crow review. Our very own Eric Eisenberg gave the movie a dismal 1.5 out of 5 stars, and scratched his head regarding why the remake was even on the books to be made for so long. In his words:

There’s no exciting new angle on the story of Eric Draven that absolutely demanded to be presented on the big screen (nor an exciting screenwriting voice), and the long procession of filmmakers who signed on and then moved on says that there was never a particular vision that needed to be executed. It’s a pointless remake, and perhaps the only good in it is that its existence means we will likely never hear about another one and can go back to simply appreciating the original.

Rupert Sanders’ version of The Crow comes after years and years of Hollywood attempting to bring the character back to the screen following Brandon Lee’s iconic outing in the 1994 movie. In the past, actors such as Mark Wahlberg, Bradley Cooper, Channing Tatum, Ryan Gosling and James McAvoy were all reportedly in the running to be part of prior remakes before this version got off the ground in 2022. After all this time, critics are overall confused about the reason why The Crow was even resurrected. As The Guardian wrote:

There’s just no pull, no urge, no passion, just B-roll of two lifeless actors posing for a lower-tier perfume ad. Skarsgård is fine in the film’s limited action scenes – physically convincing and committed – but his one-note skulking isn’t enough to fill the gaps elsewhere. Twigs is completely, deadeningly flat, giving us absolutely nothing when she needs to be proving to us why her death would be painful enough to cause such a violent reckoning.

Certainly there was going to be comparisons between Skarsgård and Lee as The Crow no matter what, but these thoughts on the remake make it sound like the new release isn’t much fun to experience in theaters. As Rolling Stone quipped about the movie:

Execution-wise, this emphasis on Skarsgård and FKA Twigs whispering sweet nothings in each other’s ears devolves into a cross between a faux-erotic perfume commercial and outtakes from a failed YA series, and couldn’t feel more sluggish.

It's funny how two critics likened the movie to a perfume commercial, isn’t it? The core plot of the movie is about a murdered musician who is resurrected to avenge his own death and that of his fiancée, played by FKA Twigs. Slashfilm also called the movie “lifeless” when speaking about it as well. As written:

But as it stands, the film is dull, lifeless, hazy, and unmoving. Viewers will have nothing invested in Eric's journey, and nothing will seem to have been gained from his violence. Like many remakes, The Crow feels perfunctory and thoughtless.

While it’s clear that The Crow did not impress most critics (the movie has already debuted with a 13% Rotten Tomatoes score as of this writing), one critic with Collider has shared a different take on the film. The writer, who notes loving movies like Underworld, Hellboy, Blade and Queen of the Damned (all of the 1990s and 2000s), appreciated the movie for emulating the emo melodrama she was nostalgic for a new generation. As she put it:

[T]his film is a perfect Gen Z successor to the original film. I checked into this movie fully expecting a bit of cheese, some clunky dialogue, and a story that operates purely on vibes. That's what I got.

Even so, she couldn’t fully endorse the movie for having “shoddy world-building” and “narrative plot holes.” Perhaps there’s still time for The Crow to earn a cult following, but for now, these first words about the movie make it sound like it might be better left skipped.

May we direct you to Zoë Kravitz’s Blink Twice, which critics had a great time with? Both The Crow and Blink Twice are the latest new movies to arrive in theaters this weekend as the summer movie season soon comes to an end.

Max's IT Prequel Series Is Bringing Back Bill Skarsgård As Pennywise, And My Interest In Welcome To Derry Is Floating Now Too

mick.joest@CinemaBlend.com (Mick Joest) — Fri, 31 May 2024 00:06:39 +0000

The news surrounding the Max series Welcome To Derry keeps getting more interesting, but there was still one casting everyone was waiting to hear about regarding the IT sequel. Well, stop worrying because this series that will be available to those with a Max subscription just landed the big actor that will get everyone watching. Bill Skarsgård is officially on board to reprise his role as Pennywise the Clown.

News first arrived of Skarsgård's casting via Deadline, which also announced the actor would join as an executive producer. It's unknown at this time how large his presence will be as Pennywise, but we do know the series is set to be nine episodes. We also know the actor is joining an already stacked lineup of actors, including Jovan Adepo and James Remar, to name a few.

Upcoming Horror TV Shows: The New Scary Shows Coming To TV And Streaming

Here's what's on tap for the future.

While it's a bummer that the IT prequel series originally set for 2024 was bumped to 2025, there's a silver lining in that the upcoming Stephen King adaptation has landed perhaps the most important star it could get. It'll be a reunion with director Andy Muschietti, who is handling four episodes of the series and has been sharing cool photos from the set with horror fans.

While some might've assumed Bill Skarsgård would always return for Welcome To Derry, it's worth noting that there was active speculation ahead of this that he would not reprise his role. Skarsgård confirmed he wasn't involved in a previous interview back in March, so it seemed entirely possible the show might recast the role or come up with some other reason explaining why Pennywise was not around or looked different than in the movies. I would've been down to see the character take some different forms beyond a clown, though I can't deny how disappointed I would've been had he not resembled the character Skarsgård played.

As mentioned, Welcome To Derry will be a prequel to IT, but what that means still remains to be seen. As for Pennywise, it's speculated the ancient entity is as old as the world itself. That said, the prequel does appear to take place at a time that's semi-recent, perhaps somewhere around the 1960s. That said, if there's a pitch someone has for an IT prequel that takes place in medieval times or something like that, I'm 100% on board and want to see that.

Welcome To Derry is in development and will premiere on Max at some point in 2025. With Bill Skarsgård on board, I'm sure this series will have a lot more eyes on it and face a lot more scrutiny as critics prepare to see the actor once again step into the terrifying clown shoes once again.

Sounds Like Bill Skarsgård Top-Secret Vampire Look In Nosferatu Will Either Gross People Out Or Turn Them On

Carly Levy — Thu, 30 May 2024 15:16:50 +0000

Nosferatu is considered one of the best vampire movies out there following the plot of vampire Count Orlok preying on the wife of a real estate agent. After initial reports came out in 2015 that Nosferatu would get the remake treatment, it was announced in 2022 that the silent film classic remake was back on with The Lighthouse’s Robert Eggers directing and Bill Skarsgård playing the Transylvanian vampire. While Skarsgård’s look as Count Orlok is top-secret for right now, he teases his appearance in the upcoming horror movie will either gross out audiences or, in fact, turn them on.

Bill Skarsgård is no stranger to taking on creepy roles. He channeled killer clown Pennywise in It, and joined John Wick: Chapter 4 as the villainous High Table member Marquis Vincent Bisset de Gramont, and will be lead in The Crow remake as the famed resurrected musician. In his upcoming 2024 movie release, Skarsgård will play Count Orlok in the Nosferatu remake where he teased to Esquire that his unrecognizable vampire look can go in the direction of either grossing out audiences or even turning them on:

He’s gross. But it is very sexualized. It’s playing with a sexual fetish about the power of the monster and what that appeal has to you. Hopefully you’ll get a little bit attracted by it and disgusted by your attraction at the same time.

Based on Bill Skarsgård’s description of his Nosferatu character, it looks like we’ll be dealing with a very “gross” vampire that might also carry a strange sex appeal. It sounds very complex in that we might be seeing some predatory behavior as Count Orlok targets Lily-Rose Depp’s character of Ellen Hutter, but it may come off as sexually appealing to the eyes of the audience as well? I guess it’ll take viewing the Nosferatu remake to understand Skarsgård’s descriptions of his character.

The look of F.W. Murnau’s vampire had a round bald head with pointy ears, thick eyebrows, hunched shoulders, sharp teeth, and abnormally long nails. If Robert Eggers follows that same look, it doesn’t seem like we’ll be dealing with an Edward Cullen or a Damon Salvatore who’s easy on the eyes. With an updated look and more charming qualities, maybe we’ll have an understanding of the sex appeal the Barbarian actor is talking about.

Playing the role of Count Orlok must have been a very intense experience for Bill Skarsgård as he told Esquire the “demon” inside of him playing the dark role “took its toll” on him. That must mean we’ll all be in for a wild ride with what Skarsgård’s got in store for us.

Other things we know about the horror classic remake is that it was reported in Total Film (via GamesRadar) that the Castle Rock actor lost a “tremendous” amount of weight and even worked with an opera coach to lower his voice down an octave. If we thought Skarsgård was unrecognizable playing Pennywise, it looks like we’ll be getting a real treat seeing Nosferatu.

Bill Skarsgård’s top-secret Count Orlok look in the Nosferatu remake has the ability to either turn people off or on. With so much mystique going into Skarsgård’s appearance in the Robert Eggers film, this only makes me want to add it to my watchlist more and more. Audiences will have the chance to see Nosferatu in theaters this Christmas Day.

The Crow's Bill Skarsgård Has Some Choice Words For His Reimagining's Ending, And I'm Starting To Worry Again

Mike Reyes — Thu, 30 May 2024 01:14:42 +0000

When it comes to surefire conversation starters, moviegoers love a good, or a bad, ending. As The Crow has flown into an August debut on the 2024 movie schedule, we won’t be able to debate its finale’s effectiveness just yet. But star Bill Skarsgård is already making sure that we’ll have that discussion when the time is right, as he’s shared some choice words for director Rupert Sanders’ reimagining. With just six words, I’m starting to worry about this picture all over again.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Bill Skarsgård’s Feelings On The Crow Reimagining’s Ending

Esquire caught up with the new Eric Draven himself in a chat for a project that is, indeed, in the can after what felt like an eternity of cursed development. Though the events of The Crow 2024 haven’t been spoiled, Skarsgård’s reaction is still pretty loaded:

I personally preferred something more definitive.

I’m going to give fans of the Alex Proyas-directed/Brandon Lee-starring ‘90s classic a moment to scream. Go on, I know you want to. There you go. Did that feel good? I hope so, because we need to talk this out, especially if you, like me, saw that first Crow trailer and kept their minds open with some skepticism.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s acknowledge what that statement possibly means. Quite frankly, it sounds like the door is open for a sequel of some sort, and that notion is also shared by the source of this quote. Normally that sort of strategy is overly ambitious at best, and at worst a laughable angle of attack when tackling just why The Crow 2024 possibly didn’t work.

But in the case of the spirit and the message from the movie this reimagining is trying to update, that decision is just downright wrong. Even though I’ll still give this new version a proper shot in the theaters, I now want to share why it’s now going to be a little more difficult for me to be won over by this project.

(Image credit: Miramax)

The Crow 2024’s Conclusion Sounds Like A Miscalculation

Those still questioning The Crow 2024 are going to be even more inquisitive, as an ending that’s less than definitive flies in the face of the film spawned from James O’Barr’s iconic comic. Eric Draven is a spirit of vengeance, but he had an endgame. In a story that’s designed to discuss topics like mourning and letting go, leaving the door open like most aspiring cinematic universes tend to do is the antithesis of Eric’s story.

Of course, for all the things we do know about The Crow ‘24, this discussion still isn’t over, as we don’t know how that film ends. So for all anyone knows, the potential sequel door is opened just a crack, with some suggestive imagery that can easily be used as a springboard for the next entry.

Or maybe Eric’s story concludes, but we’re given a peek into the next potential spirit of vengeance who needs to fight for closure. That would fit with the anthology approach of the OG’s sequels; for better or worse.

If there’s anything I’d like to close on, it’s the words of Eric Draven himself. Yes dear friends, The Crow ‘94 already provided us with the best case for why the conclusion to this story shouldn’t be open-ended. So if you remember your goth scripture, say it with me now: “It can’t rain all the time.”

There’s still time for The Crow to reverse course in the edit, as it won’t be in theaters until August 23. So if you start to hear chatter on the internet about whether or not Bill Skarsgård’s words have come to pass, you’ll know if this message has been heeded. If you’re looking to return to the Brandon Lee OG to shake off these feelings of woe, you can do just that with a Paramount+ subscription.

Bill Skarsgård Movie Before The Crow Is Ultra Violent. What The Critics Are Saying About Boy Kills World

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 22:05:56 +0000

Alongside Zendaya's acclaimed Challengers now in theaters, Bill Skarsgård has moved out of the shadows from horror roles in the IT movies and Barbarian to star in a verified action film with Boy Kills World. As the latest of the 2024 movie releases hits cinemas, the critics have weighed in on Boy Kills World. Let’s dive into what they are saying about it before the actor leads the next The Crow movie.

We’ll start with CinemaBlend’s Boy Kills World review, which has our own Mike Reyes giving the R-rated action comedy two out of five stars. While Reyes was initially intrigued by the set up that draws from classic side-scrolling “man on a mission” video games, he was disappointed by the execution. In his words:

And yet, despite a formula that values simplicity and adrenaline-fueled momentum, Boy Kills World hits a crucial wall pretty early on, and never fully recovers. Even as the action ramps up, and the bloody body count rises, we the audience don’t truly feel that forward movement. What ensues is a lot of sound and a lot of fury, but not an ounce of cohesion.

While he found the action sequences to be “somewhat fun,” the stunt performers couldn’t make up for the poor storyline in his opinion. Empire’s Sophie Butcher felt similarly about Boy Kills World, giving the movie the same star-rating and calling it a “headache-inducing imitation of the revenge thriller” and simply not on par with the John Wick movies. As she continued:

Amongst a smorgasbord of clear influences — from The Hunger Games to Tarantino — the language of video games is the most prominent, threaded through everything from the plot, to the visuals, to the colourful, exaggerated character design. But in its pursuit to feel more like a game, Boy Kills World fails to deliver the depth and dimension it needs to really work as a movie.

While The New York Times’ Manohla Dargis gave some major props to the stunt crew on Boy Kills World, she found the movie itself to be “boneheaded,” along with finding that the “clumsy filmmaking” ultimately “undermines its stunts.” As she also wrote:

I’m not sure what the director Moritz Mohr thought he was doing here. (Sam Raimi is one of the producers.) It’s also unclear why anyone even bothered to concoct a story for Boy, because the only point of this ridiculousness is to watch Skarsgard flex his sculpted arms and take a great deal of brutal punishment so that he can dole out more. Rinse, repeat.

Roger Ebert’s Simon Abrams agreed with the general thoughts of his critic colleagues. Here’s his take:

These action scenes resemble the same antic slow-fast-slow pace of the Kingsman spy movie parodies and this year’s Argylle. In these braindead media critiques, so much pseudo-comic stress is put on sweeping camera movements and impact-driven maneuvering that it reduces everything funny, upsetting, and spectacular about these scenes to its sheer numbing impact. You don’t get to enjoy any of the on-screen action’s flow or development because the filmmakers constantly insert themselves between you and whatever cheap thrills you might’ve hoped to enjoy.

Mashable’s Siddhant Adlakha thought Boy Kills World had some “awesome action,” but similarly was not keen on the storyline. Check out his thoughts:

This is a distinctly "turn your brain off" kind of movie, though in flipping that switch, what's left to pass through the lizard brain isn't always entertaining enough.

While most critics are saying the same thing about Boy Kills World, Variety’s Owen Gleiberman actually dug the movie, likening it to John Wick meets A Clockwork Orange. As he wrote:

The kill-kill-kill spirit of John Wick made a film like Boy Kills World possible, yet Boy Kills World takes it all a step further. It’s the action film as slasher movie as gonzo damaged-superhero movie. It’s a depraved vision, yet I got caught up in its kick-ass revenge-horror pizzazz, its disreputable commitment to what it was doing.

You can check out Boy Kills World in theaters now to form your own opinion on the new action flick! And watch out for the Bill Skarsgård and Brandon Lee comparisons in The Crow, which will be released on August 23.

See Bill Skarsgård Come Back To Life After Getting Shot And More In The Crow Remake's First Trailer

Mike Reyes — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:28:00 +0000

The status of director Rupert Sanders’ reboot of The Crow recently went from unknown to a hot topic on the 2024 movie schedule. Starring John Wick: Chapter 4 alum Bill Skarsgård, this new take on one of the best ‘90s movies has been teasing audiences with some brief glimpses into the world of this mysterious reboot. And now, we have our first trailer, which shows Mr. Skarsgård's variant of Eric Draven as a full blown action hero.

As Lionsgate moved its John Wick spinoff Ballerina into 2025, there was a gap to be filled on this year’s calendar. Thanks to the studio’s first look at the footage to this June 2024 title, there's definitely a more modern sensibility to this version of author/artist James O’Barr’s creation. Especially as we see Bill Skarsgård's Eric take some shotgun blasts to the chest, only to rise up and fight back.

Make no mistake though, the same basic story of The Crow is in play. Eric and his fiancée Shelly (FKA Twigs) are still brutally murdered, with our hero coming back from the dead to settle the score. Cue the face paint, don the trench coat, and bring on the vengeance.

At the same time, one of the potential changes the trailer seems to vaguely imply is that Eric is not just avenging the murder of himself and his dead fiancé, but he may also be putting both of their souls to rest in the process. So there may be more of a supernatural bent to this remake, which happens to also be arriving in the year where fans are celebrating 30 years of the original film.

No matter where you land on The Crow’s first trailer, this fresh footage is going to absolutely spark up more fan comparisons between Bill Skarsgård and Brandon Lee. Judging by how the former Pennywise’s variant moves and acts when compared to Lee’s OG variant from 1994, this is more of an action spectacle than Alex Proyas' gothic crime thriller ever was.

Though you wouldn't know that from the official poster, which dropped with The Crow's newly born footage. Take a look for yourself, as it's included below for reference:

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

The Crow has the potential to be one of those reboots where more fans might have accepted it more if it had a different name. It certainly looks stylish and energetic, so it'll be interesting to see what other sorts of changes have been built in by writers Zach Baylin and William Schneider. While we’ve still got a couple months before this new version co-starring Danny Huston and Foundation’s Laura Birn hits theaters, you can bet there will be a lot of talk about what’s to come.

That's especially true when considering the project’s overall development history. Over time, we've learned The Crow reboot has undergone some massive changes. With actors ranging from Jason Momoa to Luke Evans all previously attached to the Eric Draven role, the various setbacks and eventual shelving of various iterations made it look like The Crow would never fly again.

Much like its own titular hero, this project has kept itself alive out of sheer will. And now, after a little over 15 years of development, all anyone who’s interested has to do is wait until this summer to see the results. As The Crow flies, you should expect this movie to land in theaters on June 7th.

The Crow Fans Emerge To Compare Bill Skarsgård's New Look With Brandon Lee

mick.joest@CinemaBlend.com (Mick Joest) — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:38:26 +0000

When it was announced that Bill Skarsgård had signed on for The Crow reboot, many were happy that the remake of the cult classic was finally getting off the ground. However, while Skarsgård is a popular actor, one can never discount the original when it comes to remakes, and so many people still love the OG movie with Brandon Lee. So, when the first look at the It star in the 2024 movie schedule's version of The Crow came out, many shared their thoughts on seeing him suited up as the iconic character.

A first look at The Crow reboot arrived via Vanity Fair, and in it, Skarsgård is seen as Eric Draven in makeup. The look is a departure from what was worn by Brandon Lee in the original movie, though it appears to be more in line with the comic book source material outside of the inclusion of some tattoos.

(Image credit: Larry Horricks)

Fan reception is certainly mixed on the look, as @BossLogic gave his frank thoughts on it:

FIRST LOOK / I see more Joker than The Crow

I had to go back to past looks like Jared Leto's Joker, but I can see it. The resemblance isn't exactly uncanny, but there's a vibe that the studio is trying to make Eric Draven edgy for a modern audience. As I mentioned previously, though, I think this look is more in line with the comic iteration of The Crow, whereas Leto's Joker was something new entirely. The point, though, as some are pointing out, Lee was so iconic in the role that it's hard to accept any version that isn't a complete mirror of what he did:

I’ll give it a chance, can’t go off of one pic but to me, the tragedy, depressingly so, of Brandon Lee inextricably ties him to The Crow in a way that I don’t think it should’ve ever been touched again. He also brought a sensuality and softness that’s, again, to me, irreplaceableFebruary 28, 2024

It is interesting to see The Crow reboot go with a different look than what Brandon Lee did, considering the test footage of Jason Momoa in the role looked so similar to his iteration. With that said, there are some people not even talking about Bill Skarsgård's look at all and just reminiscing on the things they remember about Lee and wishing he was still around:

All that Crow reboot photo has done was remind me that Brandon Lee should still be here and be the mega ultra movie star he was destined for and it really freaking sucks ass he's not here. This man altered my brain chemistry and I was depressed for WEEKS. Ugh...still hurts. pic.twitter.com/aL7pbBLDQkFebruary 28, 2024

While there are many declaring this remake dead on arrival and lamenting the fact that Brandon Lee is no longer with us following that fatal accident on set, there are some more sound takes about this latest look at The Crow. @TimesSqKungFu made a good point with their take on the look as they explained why they hoped the movie would further differentiate itself from the '90s movie:

People need to remember the original was representing that era of music, fashion and vibes. From the pics I dig what I am seeing because it’s doing its own thing and not looking for the next 'Brandon Lee' All I want is the music to be on point. From the Score and OST.

All the discourse is making me want to re-watch The Crow, so it's a good thing I can do so with my Paramount+ subscription.

It was inevitable that a remake of one of the best revenge movies of all time was going to be picked through by the fandom with a fine-toothed comb, and we'll just have to wait and see how receptive they are when the movie comes out, assuming they see it. Some might have positive reactions, while others might be saying:

brandon lee I will avenge youFebruary 28, 2024

The Crow remake director Rupert Sanders admitted in the Vanity Fair piece that he recognized the character's look in his film as a departure from the OG movie's iconic look. The character in this new film is a mixture of a '90s raver as well as more modern music celebrities like Post Malone. The ultimate goal is to create a hero that appeals to the Gen-Z audience, which means he can't look exactly like a '90s goth rocker.

We'll see how audiences respond to the look when The Crow premieres in theaters on June 7. Perhaps this new take from Bill Skarsgård will ultimately be embraced, revive the franchise, and bolster it in a way it hasn't been in some time.

See The Moment Kieran Culkin Finds Out The Internet Thinks It Would Be A Good Idea If The Culkins Fought The Skarsgård Brothers: ‘Size Matters!’

Caroline Young — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 01:16:46 +0000

The Culkin brothers and the Skarsgård brothers are two very dominant acting families in 2024. For the Culkins, Macaulay is one of the most famous child actors of all time, and Kieran just had an incredible run playing Roman Roy on Succession, which won him several awards. For the Skarsgårds, Alexander Skarsgård's best projects include True Blood and Big Little Lies, as well as arthouse favorites like Infinity Pool and The Northman. In addition, Bill is best known for his star-making performance as Pennywise in the IT movies. With both families having such cultural relevance, some people on the internet pondered about who would win in a fight between the families, and Kieran Culkin recently gave his two cents on the matter.

In speaking to Entertainment Tonight on the Emmy’s red carpet, Culkin became aware of this bizarre internet debate, and he was very quick to give his opinion. A fight with the Skarsgårds did not seem like something the Succession cast member ever would want to participate in, and the mere size of them would ensure that the Culkins would lose. He said:

They’re huge. They’re HUGE! We would lose.

The interviewer brought up that some people on the internet thought the Culkins' speed and small stature would actually be an advantage in a fight, and they may be able to overpower the Skarsgårds with their nibble quickness. To which the 2024 Emmy winner doubled down and insisted that “size matters,” and the Culkins would definitely lose if they had to take on the famously tall Swedish acting family.

The only way he thought they might have a shot was if the Skarsgårds were maimed and tied up before the fight. You can see his full answer in the clip from the red carpet interview below:

A post shared by Entertainment Tonight (@entertainmenttonight)
A photo posted by on

As much as I want to believe that the agile Culkins could use their brains to their advantage to win against the Skarsgårds in a brawl, I have to side with Kieran Culkin on this one.

Not only are the Skarsgård brothers very very tall, they are also in insane shape. Alexander Skarsgård’s physique in The Northman is mind-boggling, and he probably would be able to take on all six Culkin brothers by himself. And with the other five Skarsgårds in the mix, it doesn’t seem like a fair fight. However, I still loved hearing the arguments to the contrary.

(Image credit: A24)

Even though this is a pretty silly debate, it’s exactly the kind of tomfoolery that Kieran Culkin probably loved hearing about. The actor has a wonderful sense of humor, he and loves an opportunity to joke around. He even couldn’t help but add in a silly jab at Pedro Pascal when he accepted his Golden Globe Award last month. This is the exact kind of witty energy he brought to Succession and his new indie film with Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain.

This quality alone is probably why some thought he and his brothers could overpower the Skarsgårds, but unfortunately when it comes to a physical fight, as Kieran put it, “size matters.”

You can see Kieran Culkin in Succession with an HBO Max subscription. In addition, A Real Pain is getting tons of buzz out of Sundance, and it will likely have a wide theatrical release later this year. For more information on other exciting films heading to cinemas in the near future that star the Culkins and the Skarsgårds, make sure to check out our 2024 movie schedule.

Bill Skarsgård's John Wick 4 Character Caught Flak For A Specific Reason, And Now The Director Has Responded

Adam Holmes — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 21:15:40 +0000

Bill Skarsgård knows his way around villains, as evidenced by performances like Pennywise in the IT movies, Kro in Eternals and, most recently, the Marquis Vincent de Gramont in John Wick: Chapter 4. With that last example, it was the Marquis whom led the charge to kill Keanu Reeves’ title character for defying the High Table. Along with being a sharp dresser, the Marquis stood out for his distinct accent, but that aspect of the character caught flak from audiences, so much so that director Chad Stahelski has responded to the criticism.

In addition to addressing the prospects of John Wick: Chapter 5 happening while visiting the Happy Sad Confused podcast hosted by Josh Horowitz, Stahelski spent some time clearing up just what was going on with Skarsgård’s accent in the 2023 new movie release. As you’ll read below, the filmmaker clarified that the actor wasn’t trying to do a standard French accent for the Marquis, but something a little different:

He came to be, he goes, 'I want to do a little bit like fucked up French, like Cajun accent.' I’m like, 'I have no idea what that sounds like.' Some people gave us shit a little bit because it’s not a good French accent. I’m like, 'Guys, it’s not supposed to be French.' Like, he wasn’t trying to be French, he’s a guy that speaks French.

It’s hardly shocking that this man who holds the Marquis rank speaks French, but per Chad Stahelski’s discussions with Bill Skarsgård, Vincent de Gramont doesn’t actually hail from France. That’s not to say that you still can’t take issue with the way he sounds, but it was never their intention for the character to sound like a French native, only that he spoke the language well. So those of you who watched Chapter 4 and were dissatisfied with Skarsgård’s French accent can rest easy now knowing that’s not what he was going for, although it certainly would have been nice if the movie had made his Cajun background more explicit.

Skarsgård’s involvement in John Wick: Chapter 4 was first reported in June 2021, and the following month, he explained that he joined the sequel because he’s a fan of “these kinds of over-the-top, exploitive action movies.” Unfortunately for the Marquis Vincent de Gramont, he learned the hard way that one should never cross John Wick under any circumstances, regardless of his circumstances.

The Marquis foolishly agreed to take Caine’s place at the end of a duel against John, one in which all of the main protagonist’s obligations to the High Table would be wiped away if he won. After Caine severely injured John with one of his shots, the Marquis swooped in to administer the killing blow, not realizing John hadn’t fired his gun yet for that round. The main antagonist paid for his overconfidence with his life.

DC Fan Art Transforms IT’s Bill Skarsgård Into Joker, And I’m Sold

Corey Chichizola — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 19:32:53 +0000

The DC Universe is known for its wild twists, both behind the scenes and on the screen. James Gunn and Peter Safran were recently named co-CEOs of the DCU, and have been making a ton of changes to form their own version of the shared universe. Superman: Legacy is the first new movie that’ll be arriving under this leadership, and a new actor is playing Clark Kent. Fans have questions about how Batman’s lore will be utilized, including his iconic villains. Now some DC fan art has transformed IT’s Bill Skarsgård. And honestly, I’m sold on this potential casting.

Gunn and Safran are planning for the next decade of DC content, so our information about the future is still fairly limited. The first chapter is titled Gods and Monsters, and will bring both Batman and Robin into the fray with the movie The Brave and the Bold. But will they face off against Joker? Only time will tell, but fan art on Instagram shows how awesome Skarsgård would look in the role. Check it out below:

A post shared by @youssef_defenshi
A photo posted by on

I mean, how cool is that? For as many adaptations there have been of Batman, there have also been plenty of live-action takes on Joker. Each one has had its own look, and this design is an exciting mix of classic and contemporary. We’ll just have to see if/when James Gunn and company bring the Clown Prince of Crime into the new DCU.

The above piece of fan art comes to us from the Instagram of digital artist Youssef Mohammed. They’ve amassed thousands of followers thanks to epic renderings of characters from DC lore, including casting announcements and rumors that don’t have any official art yet. And they’ll likely continue as fans not-so-patiently wait for concrete information from Warner Bros. and company.

While there's no telling when Joker will return to the big screen in the DCU, Bill Skarsgård does seem like an excellent choice to take on the mantle. He’s got experience playing villainous clowns thanks to his acclaimed portrayal of Pennywise in the IT movies. But Skarsgård’s resume is long besides that, and he’s proved his acting chops in a number of acclaimed projects including Barbarian, John Wick: Chapter 4, and Atomic Blonde among others.

Whichever actor brings Joker to life in the DCU, they’ll be far from the only version of the character on the big screen. Jaoquin Phoenix is reprising his Oscar-winning role in Joker: Folie à Deux. Then there’s Matt Reeves’ The Batman franchise, which already debuted Barry Keoghan’s Joker in a small but memorable scene.

The next DC movie hitting theaters is Aquman and the Lost Kingdom on December 20th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

As Superman: Legacy’s Clark And Lois Castings Heat Up, Some Lex Luthor Frontrunners Have Emerged

Adam Holmes — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 23:50:39 +0000

While the general public has to wait a little more than two years for Superman: Legacy to reach their eye, writer/director James Gunn and his team have been busy lately with a key step in the filmmaking process: casting. Over the last few weeks, the search for who will play Clark Kent and Lois Lane in this upcoming DC movie has been narrowing down, and it may not be too much longer until we learn who’s been selected for these roles. In the midst of this though, there’s apparently been movement on finding Legacy’s Lex Luthor, with two frontrunners being reported.

According to THR, a shortlist of Lex Luthor actors has been assembled, and brothers Alexander Skarsgård and Bill Skarsgård are said to be on it. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the top two choices for the role at the moment, but evidently there’s interest in seeing how they could do as Superman’s arch-nemesis. It was also mentioned that it’s unclear right now if Nicholas Hoult, who’s one of the final contenders for Superman, might be put into the Luthor running again, as it’d been reported he initially tried out to play the villain before being tested as Clark Kent instead.

Bill Skarsgård already has some superhero movie experience under his belt from playing Zeitgeist in Deadpool 2 and Kro in Eternals, so playing Lex Luthor would be a major next step up for him. He also already has ties with Warner Bros. from playing Pennywise in the IT movies, and will further diversify his comic book media resume by playing Eric Draven in The Crow reboot. As for Alexander Skarsgård, although he hasn’t starred in anything superhero-related, he also goes back with Warner Bros. with movies like The Legend of Tarzan and Godzilla vs. Kong. The elder of the Skarsgård siblings also got to play a supervillain of sorts, Randall Flagg, in The Stand miniseries that Paramount+ subscribers can stream.

Will Bill Skarsgård Return As Pennywise For HBO Max's Welcome To Derry? The IT Star's Answer Has Me Worried

Eric Eisenberg — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 18:44:56 +0000

The last few months have delivered a solid amount of good news regarding the upcoming series Welcome To Derry: a prequel to director Andy Muschietti's blockbuster Stephen King adaptations IT and IT Chapter Two. We learned back in November that the series had hired a pair of showrunners, and last month the project got an official series order from HBO Max. It's been exciting to watch Welcome To Derry slowly move through development – but now there is a somewhat distressing update to report, as Bill Skarsgård has gone on the record saying that he's not presently attached to reprise his role as the monstrous shapeshifter Pennywise The Dancing Clown.

Skarsgård recently did an interview with Jake's Takes, and when the actor was asked about Welcome To Derry, he revealed that there is presently no deal in place that would bring him back as one of Stephen King's most nightmare-inducing creations. Said the actor,

We'll see what they come up with and what they do with it. I'm, as of now, not currently involved in it. And if someone else gets to do it, my advice would just be: do it your own, make it your own, have fun with it, you know what I mean? What I thought was so pleasurable about that character was how incredibly abstract he was.

Based on his wording, it seems that nothing is set in stone just yet and that the door isn't closed in this conversation. Also, it's worth noting that Welcome To Derry may not need to bring Bill Skarsgård back as Pennywise for two reasons: A) the story may be set during a year when the monster is hibernating, and B) it's pretty easy for the filmmakers to explain why the creature would look different given that It's whole deal is its ability to change its form.

All of that being said, it would still be a bummer if Skarsgård didn't reprise the role.

(Image credit: De Laurentiis Entertainment Group)

The Best Stephen King Movies, Ranked

The Best Stephen King TV Shows And Miniseries, Ranked

Adapting Stephen King

There is a great deal to appreciate about what was done with Stephen King's book in the making of IT and IT Chapter Two, including big scares and terrific casting of the Losers Club, but it's Bill Skarsgård's work as Pennywise that make the movies special – much like how Tim Curry's turn as the character was what made the 1990 miniseries adaptation special. Not only does the actor have a terrifying on-screen presence that would automatically add chills and scares to Welcome To Derry, but him being in the show would solidify the connection between the show and the movies and make the project all the more interesting.

Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane are presently developing Welcome To Derry for HBO Max, and Andy Muschietti is set to direct the pilot and produce the show along with his producing partner/sister, Barbara Muschietti. You can learn more about the project via our Quick Things guide, and you can stay up to date with all of the King adaptations that are presently in the works with our Upcoming Stephen King Movies and TV feature.

John Wick: Chapter 4 Reviews Are Here, And The Critics Are In Agreement About Keanu Reeves’ Action Sequel

Heidi Venable — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 13:36:49 +0000

It’s been nearly four years since audiences have seen Keanu Reeves as the assassin John Wick, but when John Wick: Chapter 4 hits theaters on March 24, the story will pick up right where the third installment of one of the best action movie franchises left off. The hitman is determined to take down the High Table, the crime organization that has a huge bounty on his head, and the trailer promises a large body count and all the bad-assery that fans have come to expect from this franchise. First reactions were very promising, with people calling the fourth installment “epic,” and the praise continues now that reviews are out.

Keanu Reeves is again joined by Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane and Lance Reddick, and the John Wick: Chapter 4 cast also adds some notable characters in Caine (Donnie Yen) and the Marquis de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård), who have left their mark on the critics. Let’s get to it then, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of John Wick: Chapter 4. Eric Eisenberg rates the film 4.5 stars out of 5, saying it earns every minute of its nearly three-hour runtime and is likely the best of the sequels. He continues:

With each film, the stakes have been effectively raised, the breadth of the world has expanded, and the scope of the action has grown. That’s not an easy trend to sustain by a third sequel, but John Wick: Chapter 4 carries the weight of all of that and sprints. The characters are enthralling and fun, and the variety of set pieces are audacious in style and feature mind boggling physicality by the performers. It’s everything that fans could want out of it.

Hoai-Tran Bui of Inverse agrees the three hours breezes by, saying the movie is a “bone-crunching showcase” of what director Chad Stahelski has honed and perfected over the course of four John Wick movies. The critic says:

Given a relatively simple narrative and a script that was less beholden to the complex mythology of the franchise, it’s clear that Stahelski went into Chapter 4 no-holds-barred. The action, the spectacle, the humor, and the melodrama are all turned up to 11 in a film that is the most John Wick movie, for better or worse. Some might call it overkill, but with John Wick: Chapter 4, overkill is underrated.

Tom Jorgensen of IGN rates the movie a perfect 10 out of 10, calling John Wick: Chapter 4 a “Masterpiece” whose incredibly staged action scenes, engaging ensemble and stylish production design coalesce into a modern action masterclass. From the review:

John Wick: Chapter 4 stands above its predecessors – and the past decade’s worth of action films as a whole – as a modern epic, something Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski have been driving at since 2014. Wick’s world war is bursting at the seams with creative, thrillingly staged action choreography and cinematography, perfectly pitched performances from an outstanding and unforgettable cast of allies and villains heralded by a merciless Bill Skarsgård, all without losing its grip on the sensitivity that keeps John’s struggle for absolution at the heart of every bullet fired and every edged weapon swung.

Leah Greenblatt of EW grades the movie a B+, calling the movie both “patently ridiculous” and “gloriously illogical,” but also says it’s mostly very fun. The review states:

As Wick carves a path of stoic destruction across several continents, the series' longtime director Chad Stahelski, once Reeves' Matrix stand-in and stunt coordinator, gets down to the business of what he does best: creative kills, far-flung zip codes, incalculable body counts. Having set a certain bar over several films now — bathhouse bloodbaths, horse kung-fu, motorcycle sword fights on the Brooklyn Bridge — he seems to have had his id (or at least his location budget) unleashed in 4's many tableaus.

Frank Scheck of THR says this fourth John Wick movie outperforms its predecessors in almost every respect, calling it “bigger, badder, bolder, longer.” The critic agrees with those above in saying not many in the audience will complain about the runtime. He continues:

Director Chad Stahelski, who helmed all the previous films, and his formidable stunt team have outshone their previous work, and that’s saying something. These sequences play like the great dance numbers in old MGM musicals, complete with incredibly complicated, lengthy continuous shots that feature the full bodies of the performers rather than kinetically edited snippets of a gun here or a limb there. They’re so virtuosic you practically want to stand up and applaud when each one is over.

Thanks to Keanu Reeves, Chad Stahelski and many others involved, John Wick has become one of the best action franchises, boasting some pretty memorable scenes. If you’ve been waiting for this next chapter, your time is almost here, as John Wick: Chapter 4 is set to hit theaters Friday, March 24. Be sure to check out our 2023 Movie Release Schedule to see what else is headed to theaters soon.

John Wick: Chapter 4 Has Screened, And Critics Are Raving About The ‘Epic’ Keanu Reeves Action Movie

Heidi Venable — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 00:08:34 +0000

It’s been nearly four years since John Wick fans have seen the Keanu Reeves' most popular hitman character kicking ass on our screens, but the wait is nearly up. After multiple delays, John Wick: Chapter 4 is finally set to hit theaters at the end of the month, and while Chad Stahelski is returning to direct, co-writers Shay Hatten and Michael Finch will bring new energy to John Wick’s fight against the villainous High Table. The fourth installment of one of the best action movie franchises has screened, and audiences are hitting up social media with their first reactions.

The trailer for John Wick: Chapter 4 promises a high body count, as the titular character looks for a way to destroy the High Table for good. Indie singer Rina Sawayama is among the new John Wick 4 cast members in the role of Akira, with Bill Skarsgård also making his franchise debut. Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane and Lance Reddick reprise their roles from previous installments. Let’s see what people are saying about the movie, starting with CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg, who tweets that the longest John Wick movie yet earns its runtime:

I had reservations about John Wick: Chapter 4's nearly three hour runtime, but the movie earns it. It's an epic with smart pacing that never lets the action feel exhausting, and the set pieces are phenomenal. Great cast of series newcomers, but Donnie Yen is the MVP. #JohnWick4 pic.twitter.com/xyMbLXmXUMMarch 6, 2023

Critic John Nguyen also mentions Donnie Yen, as he notes that this fourth installment ups the ante on the action:

#JohnWick4 continues with the visceral and brutal action. We finally get the conclusion to the story, and the film brings the action to a higher level with armored ninja, fiery weapons, epic one-shot scenes, and more. Donnie Yen is definitely icing on the cake. pic.twitter.com/7N0utxj772March 6, 2023

Keanu Reeves has said this movie is the “hardest film I’ve ever made,” in terms of the action, and Insider correspondent Kirsten Acuna’s reaction gives us an idea of why. She says the action sequences have a video game feel, and there’s one she kept thinking about long after the movie ended. This one is sure to be a fan favorite, she says:

At times, #JohnWick4 feels like a video game come to life. (And I mean that as a compliment.) So many of Keanu Reeves' fight sequences felt like boss battles. I get a kick out of how the franchise continues to find creative ways to turn mundane objects into deadly weapons. pic.twitter.com/JA1K5kTG3nMarch 6, 2023

Not all who were able to screen the movie are fans of the nearly three-hour runtime, but Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence seems willing to allow it based on the third act alone, tweeting:

#JohnWick4's three-hour runtime makes so much sense when you're going *that* hard. The third act alone... just glorious. pic.twitter.com/TDCs74aGV7March 6, 2023

The Nerds of Color call John Wick 4 the most “gorgeous” installment of the franchise, and while it suffers from pacing issues, according to this account, the new cast additions are stellar, and it features some of the best gun fights in the series:

#JohnWick4 is the most EPIC installment in the franchise! While it is a bit long and suffers from some pacing issues and unnecessary story points, the movie is never boring. Just when things grow stale Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves find a way to suck you back in @JohnWickMovieMarch 6, 2023

Critic Courtney Howard promises this is the wildest time you’ll have at the theater this year and also provides another shout-out for the supporting cast in follow-up Tweets:

Brawny, bold & badass, #JohnWick4 brilliantly balances vested stakes with an absolutely spectacular, high octane thrill ride. A soaring, searing, scorching chapter in the saga. The wildest time you’ll have at the movies this year. A pure adrenaline rush. pic.twitter.com/eUmJRfnwJwMarch 6, 2023

Erick Weber not only calls this movie the best of the franchise, he proclaims John Wick: Chapter 4 one of the greatest action movies ever made:

One of the greatest action movies ever made, #JohnWick4 tops all 3 of its predecessors in storytelling, scope & stakes, countless astonishing set pieces, hard to fathom it’s all contained within one film, Bill Skarsgård slays, a hellaciously thrilling franchise finish (?) 9.5/10 pic.twitter.com/2jDwXle21JMarch 6, 2023

Hunter Bolding echoes the thoughts of all of the above. One of the top action movies ever? Check. Best in the franchise? Check. Donnie Yen is a show-stealer? Check. He tweets:

John Wick: Chapter 4 is one of the finest action movies ever. My jaw hit the floor at least six times. One section involving a Dragon's Breath shotgun is just action-movie goodness at its best. Donnie Yen steals the show. Easily the best in the series #JohnWick4 #JohnWickChapter4 pic.twitter.com/VBsZxC6bhuMarch 6, 2023

With reactions like this to the fourth movie, it’s easy to see why John Wick 5 is already in the works, as well as an equally stunt-crazy spinoff, Ballerina. It may have been a long wait, but it sounds like time has been good to the action franchise. We’ll know even more when critics’ reviews are released next week, ahead of the movie's arrival to theaters on Friday, March 24. Be sure to come back to CinemaBlend for more John Wick: Chapter 4 coverage, and in the meantime, check out our 2023 Movie Release Schedule to see what other films are headed our way soon.

John Wick 4’s Bill Skarsgård Explains Why His Villain Wants To Kill Keanu Reeves So Bad

Dirk Libbey — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 16:39:41 +0000

John Wick has been through a lot in three chapters of his story, and with John Wick: Chapter 4 the seemingly unkillable assassin will have a new challenge to face and try to survive. The High Table wants John Wick dealt with, and that task will fall to the Marquis de Gramont, played by Bill Skarsgård, one of several new faces joining the cast of John Wick: Chapter 4. Now the actor has revealed a bit more about just who this character is and how he fits into the lore of the world of John Wick.

This character of the Maquis is one we haven’t seen before but as Bill Skarsgård tells Total Film (via GamesRadar) that the Marquis is something of a young upstart who has been making moves within the underworld run by the High Table. He wants to kill John Wick simply for the status it will bring him. He’s a man in a quest for power and he knows being the man who kills John Wick would give him that. The actor explained…

The Marquis is a young man of unknown origin who has quickly climbed the ladder within the High Table doing god knows what. I always saw him as someone from the gutter that now savors the glittery suits he’s wearing. He functions as the new sheriff set out to rid the world of John Wick once and for all. John’s getting old and tired, the Marquis is offering him a way out. To be the one who finally kills the Baba Yaga would secure his status and power within the High Table.

The first trailer for John Wick: Chapter 4 sets up the basic structure of the story. John Wick is given the opportunity to challenge the Marquis in single combat. If Wick wins by killing the Maquis, then the High Table will agree to stop trying to kill him. After all,Wick has had a price on his head since the end of John Wick: Chapter 2. If Wick dies…at least he no longer has to keep running for his life.

What’s most interesting about this particular battle is that, while it will surely involve plenty of weapons, it’s made clear that guns are not the main thing the Marquis will be fighting with. There’s no question that John Wick is the better fighter of the two, so Skarsgård’s character will be using the rules of the High Table to manipulate the situation in order to give him a better chance of surviving against Baba Yaga.

Of course, there is one piece of meta-information that we all have that the Marquis does not. We know that John Wick: Chapter 5 is on the way. This certainly indicates that John will survive the events of this new movie, although, if he does win and the High Table keeps its word, it raises an interesting question about what that next movie will even be about.

John Wick 4: An Updated Cast List, Including Keanu Reeves

Adam Holmes — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 23:09:41 +0000

John Wick has been through a lot over his three film appearances so far, from losing his wife to a terminal illness and being hunted down by assassins all over the world, to having his finger chopped off and falling off the rooftop of The Continental in the John Wick: Chapter 3 ending. Yet John is still kicking after all this, mean we can look forward to him returning in John Wick: Chapter 4. Had things gone according to the original plan, Chapter 4, the longest John Wick movie yet, would have been released in May 2021, but after being pushed back a year, it’s now on track to be among the 2023 movie releases.

John Wick: Chapter 4 will see the title protagonist waging war on The High Table (as shown in the first trailer), which will include him traveling the globe and facing off against a powerful new enemy who has powerful alliances that will lead to old friends becoming foes. Additionally, we have been learning how the action movie’s cast will look. Let’s go over the actors who have been announced for Chapter 4 so far, starting with the man who brings the Baba Yaga to life on the big screen, Keanu Reeves.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Keanu Reeves

When we last left off with Keanu Reeves’ John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, he’d been seemingly betrayed by his old friend Winston, but luckily, he wasn’t left for dead. The Tick Tock Man retrieved John and delivered him to Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King, who’d also suffered at the hands of the High Table and questioned if John was “pissed off” at the council of crime lords too. While it’s unclear how much time will pass between the events of Parabellum and Chapter 4, it’s reasonable to assume that John Wick will indeed seek vengeance for everything that the High Table has done to him. However, there’s also an opportunity that comes his way that could lead to him getting out of this conflict alive.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Rina Sawayama

If the name Rina Sawayama rings a bell, you’re likely familiar with her musical career, as she’s the singer behind singles like “STFU!,” “XS,” “Bad Friend” and “Lucid.” But Sawayama also has some acting experience under her belt, having played Layla Valentine in the short-lived, Idris Elba-led Netflix series Turn Up Charlie. Now she’s making her film debut in John Wick: Chapter 4 as someone named Akira, although it hasn’t been revealed yet whether her character will aid John or try to eliminate him.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Donnie Yen

Donnie Yen has showcased his martial arts skills in a lot of movies, from Hong Kong offerings like the Ip Man film series to American blockbusters like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Disney’s live-action Mulan remake. So with so much fighting experience under his belt, he’s a perfect fit for the John Wick franchise, where people are being punched and kicked left and right. Yen’s John Wick: Chapter 4 character is named Caine, he’ll reportedly be an old friend of John’s who “shares his same history and many of the same enemies.” While you’d think that means John can count on Caine to help him out, the latest Chapter 4 trailer showed John and Caine fighting each other, so something will lead to a divide coming between them.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Shamier Anderson

Over in the TV world Shamier Anderson is best known for playing Xavier Dolls in the first three seasons of the Syfy series Wynonna Earp, and he’s also appeared in shows like The Next Step, Shots Fired and Goliath. Anderson’s film credits include Destroyer, City of Lies and Stowaway, and now he gets to take part in the craziness that is John Wick: Chapter 4. Anderson is appearing in Chapter 4 as Tracker, with Chad Stahelski telling Collider that he’s a “self-motived character” (at least initially) who’s operating in the “gray area” between “the Wick world, and the real world.”

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Bill Skarsgård

Along with his time scaring audiences and the citizen of Derry, Maine as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the IT movies, Bill Skarsgård has also participated in the action-heavy movies Atomic Blonde and Deadpool 2. Now he’s joined the cast of John Wick: Chapter 4 as someone named The Marquis de Gramont. In the second Chapter 4 trailer, The Marquis is presented as someone whom if John can defeat in single combat, The High Table will let him go free. In the aforementioned Collider article, Chad Stahelski said that The Marquis isn’t really “the antagonist, but he's the one in charge of cleaning up all the messes from the first three movies.”

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Laurence Fishburne

Now we come to another familiar face who’s returning to the John Wick franchise! Having already played the Morpheus to Keanu Reeves’ Neo in the first three Matrix movies, Laurence Fishburne has since re-teamed with Reeves by playing The Bowery King, who helped John Wick out in Chapter 2 and was punished for this in Chapter 3 - Parabellum. At the end of Chapter 3, the badly injured John was delivered to Bowery King in his new underground hideout, and like John, he was angry at what the High Table had done to them. So now the stage is set for John and Bowery King to exact vengeance on this council of crime lords, and Fishburne has claimed that Chapter 4 is “the best one” of the franchise.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Scott Adkins

Scott Adkins knows his way around action, from fighting Hugh Jackman’s James Howlett/Logan as Weapon XI in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, to working for Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Jean Vilain in The Expendables 2. So bringing Adkins into John Wick: Chapter 4 makes all the sense in the world, and if he’s playing a villain, Keanu Reeves’ John will need to keep his guard up against the martial arts skills Adkins’ character, who's named Killa, will surely break out. It remains to be seen if Adkins share any screen time with Donnie Yen, who he co-starred alongside in Ip Man 4: The Finale.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Lance Reddick

Fans of the John Wick franchise can take comfort knowing we’ll reunite with Winston’s righthand man in Chapter 4. Bosch’s Lance Reddick will be back as Charon, the concierge of The Continental’s New York branch who spent the first two movies in the hotel’s lobby, but finally got to jump into the action in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. Now we wait to see if he’ll gun down bad guys again in Chapter 4 or if he’ll be back to chiefly focusing on his concierge duties.

(Image credit: Miramax)

Marko Zaror

If Marko Zaror looks familiar to you, then you’ve likely seen him in movies like Machete Kills and Alita: Battle Angel, or maybe you caught his recurring role as Zolo in From Dusk till Dawn: The Series. Regardless, John Wick: Chapter 4 looks like it’ll be Zaror’s biggest platform to shine yet, as he’s cast as one of John’s “main pursuers.” In other words, it’ll be this guy’s job to make Keanu Reeves’ character’s life hell… you know, even more than it already is.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Ian McShane

Like Charon, Ian McShane’s Winston has been part of the John Wick franchise since the beginning, as he has the integral role of running the New York branch of the Continental hotel. While Winston provided invaluable assistance to Keanu Reeves’ John in the first three movies, the characters didn’t part on good terms at the end of Chapter 3 - Parabellum. After coming to a truce with The High Table and having the Continental re-consecrated, Winston repeatedly shot John until he fell off the roof to show his fealty to the High Table. Most fans logically assume there was more to Winston doing that than meets the eye, and judging by the Chapter 4 trailers, it looks like he’s back to once again helping John directly. Following Chapter 4, McShane will reprise Winston for a “pivotal” role in Ballerina, and Keanu Reeves will also reportedly be involved in the Ana de Armas-led spinoff.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Clancy Brown

Whether you know him from live-action roles like The Kurgan in Highlander or Byron Hadley in The Shawshank Redemption, or have heard him voice animated characters like Mr. Krabs in Spongebob Squarepants or Lex Luthor in the DC Animated Universe, most, if not all of you reading this are familiar with Clancy Brown in some way. Well, soon he’ll be lending his talents to the John Wick universe as a character known only as Harbinger. As explained by Chad Stahelski, Harbinger is "everything that word stands for," essentially serving as The High Table’s “referee.”

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Hiroyuki Sanada

As far as his American work goes, Hiroyuki Sanada is recognizable from the likes of The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, Army of the Dead, Bullet Train and Westworld, among other projects. During development of John Wick: Chapter 3, it was reported that Sanada was being eyed to play the villain, and while that obviously didn’t happen, he went on to be looped into the Chapter 4 proceedings. So now Sanada and Reeves get to reunite following their time together on 47 Ronin, and Sanada teased that his character, Shimazu, and John Wick also have history with one another.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Natalia Tena

Fans of the Harry Potter movies will know Natalia Tena as Nymphadora Tonks, but if the Wizarding World isn’t your thing, maybe you recognize her from Game of Thrones as Osha, or for leading other shows like Wisdom of the Crowd and Origin. Regardless, it’s been confirmed that we’ll see Tena in John Wick: Chapter 4, and while her character not been identified yet, evidently her time with John Wick will involve him burning his arm for some reason.

Written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch, John Wick: Chapter 4 is slated for March 24, 2023. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on its progress, including other actors, both new and familiar, who are added to the lineup.

Adapting Stephen King's IT: 2017's IT: Chapter One Is A Brilliant Nightmare

Eric Eisenberg — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 13:04:46 +0000

The making and release of Tommy Lee Wallace’s IT miniseries from 1990 was a landmark moment in the history of Stephen King adaptations. Not only did it pull off the impossible by bringing to life an epic book thought of as being unadaptable, but it opened King’s eyes to the possibilities that existed on the small screen for his work – which in turn resulted in the development of 1994’s The Stand miniseries, 1997’s The Shining miniseries, and more. The small screen nightmare left an indelible mark, and the face of Tim Curry’s Pennywise The Dancing Clown haunted audiences for years.

Despite this immense success, the dream of bringing IT to the big screen didn’t wholly dissipate, and the effort became renewed in 2009 when Warner Bros. purchased the rights to Stephen King’s book. Initially Dave Kajganich was hired by the studio to pen the screenplay, but that version stayed locked in the development stages for years. It wasn’t until 2012 and the hiring of writer/director Cary Fukunaga that things started moving forward in earnest, as it was then that a key, game-changing idea was introduced for the adaptation: instead of making IT as one movie, it would become two.

Unfortunately, that brilliant decision didn’t exactly lead to smooth sailing ahead. In the next couple of years, the project moved to Warner Bros. subsidiary New Line Cinema, got Stephen King’s personal stamp of approval, and even hired Will Poulter to star as Pennywise… but then it suffered a massive blow in early 2015. Just months before the scheduled start of production, it was announced that Cary Fukunaga was leaving the film. There were whispers that the Warner Bros. was balking at the idea of developing IT as two separate movies, and Fukunaga later said that the studio feared they “couldn’t control” him.

Panic was in the air among Constant Readers, who feared that the dream of seeing Pennywise on the big screen was dead. But then the ship was righted. It was reported in July 2015 that Mama director Andy Muschietti was coming aboard the production, and the two-part approach was back on the table. A little less than a year after that, the studio officially put the film on their release schedule for September 2017, and principal photography began in summer 2016 with a talented young cast including Jaeden Martell, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, and Jeremy Ray Taylor as the members of The Losers Club, and Bill Skarsgård as the monstrous Pennywise. Cary Fukunaga and Chase Palmer are still credited for their work on the screenplay, with Gary Dauberman having written the later drafts.

Anticipation for the movie was high, but the actual results were unprecedented. Andy Muschietti’s IT: Chapter One became a global phenomenon and the biggest horror movie of all time – grossing over $700 million at the worldwide box office. Ironically released 27 years after the 1990 miniseries (a.k.a. the length of Pennywise’s hibernation period), the film has a stellar legacy as both a remake and a treatment of the beloved novel, and I’m digging into both aspects in this week’s Adapting Stephen King.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

How Andy Muschietti’s IT Differs From Tommy Lee Wallace’s IT Miniseries

As I noted in my column about Tommy Lee Wallace’s IT miniseries, the original adaptation of Stephen King’s monster epic is remarkably faithful – though there are limitations that is has as a direct result of it being a miniseries that aired on network television. As everyone knows, there are particular limitations regarding language and violence (and they used to be far stricter in the 1990s). Being made as an R-rated feature, Andy Muschietti’s IT: Chapter One never had that leash around its neck, and it shows. Just as in the novel, the kid characters curse up a storm a la normal kids, and Pennywise is freed to be its sadistic and savage self, starting with biting off the arm of little Georgie Denbrough (Jackson Robert Scott) in the movie’s opening scene.

In addition to Pennywise’s attacks being just as brutal as they are in the book, it’s also worth highlighting that the character’s depiction is also closer to what King described on the page than the Tim Curry version – who memorably is decked out in a bright yellow, green and purple suit. For the film, the costume designers went back to the “white-silver clown suit” with colorful pompom buttons (albeit minus the pair of “oversized orange shoes”), and Bill Skarsgård is utterly terrifying.

In regards to the narrative, both the miniseries and IT: Chapter One use most of the same plot points and make the same exclusions, but one thing that the 2017 release has that the 1990 one doesn’t is the house on Neibolt Street. The creepy building isn’t mentioned at all in the original adaptation, but Andy Muschietti’s film restores it as the access hub for the Losers Club to find Pennywise, and properly utilizes it as a den of horrors for one of the movie’s most memorable sequences.

There are other, smaller ways that the film utilizes material from the book that the miniseries doesn’t – like Pennywise coming back every 27 years instead of every 30; there being more of an emphasis on Stan’s Judaism; and a few turtle-related Easter eggs – but there are definitely more comparisons to be made than contrasts.

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How Andy Muschietti’s IT Differs From The Book

When IT was first announced as a two-part film project, it was an idea that fans immediately appreciated because of how obvious and workable the approach would be. Stephen King’s book goes back and forth between two time periods on the same timeline, and while properly covering both would have been impossible with the runtime real estate of the average feature film, it was wholly logical to separate the two halves of the narrative and make them stand up on their own. As such, the most prominent thing that stands out about the movie compared to the novel is the fact that the adult versions of the main characters aren’t featured at all, and the kids’ part of the story is changed from being flashbacks to being linear.

The second biggest change is the time shift. When Stephen King’s IT was first published in 1986, the adult-centric half of the novel was written to be contemporary, and the movie adaptation essentially restores that idea… mostly. It’s clear that the filmmakers wanted the work to still have heavy 1980s energy, so the children’s half of the story was moved from 1957/1958 to 1988/1989 (positioning 2019’s IT: Chapter Two to be set in 2016/2017).

As far as the depictions of the characters go, the most significant change is the treatment of Mike Hanlon (Chosen Jacobs). In the book, it’s Mike who is the one who serves as the de facto historian of the group and has the resources that reveal the long history of Pennywise in Derry, Maine – but the fact that he is the seventh and final member of the Losers Club seemingly prevents that from happening, as the movie needs to get that information into the story before the whole group comes together. With Mike not becoming a prominent figure in the narrative until the second hour of the film, it’s Ben Hanscom (Jeremy Ray Taylor) who ostensibly teaches his pals about the town’s rotten past.

The majority of major plot lines from the book are kept in the adaptation, but there are certain scenes that are missing – including some that are featured in the 1990 miniseries. The movie skips over the team-building scene where the characters work together to build a makeshift dam in the woods (resulting in them getting yelled at by a police officer), and it doesn’t include the Losers getting ahold of silver nuggets and discovering that Beverly is the best amongst them with a slingshot. There are other details left out as well, but notably some are restored to the “canon” with sequences in IT: Chapter Two (such as Ritchie having a terrifying encounter with Derry’s Paul Bunyan statue).

The most significant changes definitely come at the end. The movie totally skips over everything about the Ritual of Chüd as a means of killing Pennywise, and it invents the bit with the group splitting up and Beverly (Sophia Lillis) being kidnapped. The adaptation also opts not to include Belch (Jake Sim) and Vic (Logan Thompson) in the third act – including their gruesome murders) and instead has Henry Bowers (Nicholas Hamilton) attack the Losers Club by himself at the Neibolt House.

Lastly, there’s the matter of the monsters. When Stephen King was writing IT, a significant part of his approach was the idea of making the book a monster extravaganza that would feature all varieties of ghouls and horrors – including werewolves, mummies, a Frankenstein, and more (all of whom, of course, are Pennywise in alternate forms). The film still includes the leper that attacks Eddie (Jack Dylan Grazer), as he really is the perfect form to torment the hypochondriac character, and there is a moment in the final battle when It transforms into a mummy, but mostly it opts to create new forms for the eponymous shapeshifter, such as the burnt corpses that haunt Mike, the headless boy that comes at Ben in the library, and the flute-playing woman in the Modigliani-esque painting that torments Stan.

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Is It Worthy Of The King?

When I reviewed Andy Muschietti’s IT for its theatrical release, espousing my full appreciation for the work required about 1,200 words… and in this section of this column I only have about 300 words. That puts me at disadvantage when it comes to fully and properly addressing the question posed above, so I’ll start by addressing the subject in absolute terms: IT: Chapter One is unequivocally among the best Stephen King adaptations ever made.

There are two primary elements behind this fact. The first is the depiction of the Losers Club and the phenomenal casting job that was done to find each young actor. Every single one of them stands out individually in their own unique way, but what’s really special is the effortless rapport that exists in their group chemistry. If I didn’t know any better, I could be convinced that Jaeden Martell, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, and Jeremy Ray Taylor already knew each other prior to joining the project and were cast based on their preexisting bond.

And then there’s Pennywise. Going into the film, every Stephen King fan I knew put Tim Curry’s performance from the 1990 miniseries on a pedestal – and deservedly so, given how phenomenal his work is. But that just makes what Bill Skarsgård does all the more impressive. While horror is typically a genre of diminishing returns, Skarsgård’s Pennywise is chill-inducing no matter how many times one watches the movie. His drooling, eye-shifting performance is every shade of phenomenal and perfect, with the work of makeup, special effects, and visual effects teams turning him into one of cinema’s greatest modern monsters.

IT: Chapter One is the best adaptation of the best half of one of Stephen King’s best books, and while IT: Chapter Two has a significant impact on its legacy, I’ll wait to address that more directly in my Adapting Stephen King column scheduled for November 16.

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How To Watch Andy Muschietti’s IT

Andy Muschietti’s IT has had a tendency to bounce around between streaming services, but at the time of this movie’s publication it’s possibly as widely available as it has ever been, as it is available on both Netflix and HBO Max. If you don’t have subscriptions to either one, you still have plenty of options, including digital rental and/or purchase on Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, and Apple. The best option for physical media collectors building their own Ultimate Stephen King collection will find that the best option is the 4K set released in 2018.

Coming up next week, Adapting Stephen King will be jumping back to the CinemaBlend streaming section, as I’ll be taking a look at what is another one of the best Stephen King movies of all time: Mike Flanagan’s Gerald’s Game, which was released in 2017 as a Netflix original. The column will be up on the site next Wednesday, and you can discover all of the previous installments by clicking through the banners below.

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