The veteran actor James Remar opens up about exploring the dark origins of Pennywise in Welcome To Derry, the brilliance of Andy Muschietti, and why Stephen King’s world continues to haunt and inspire.
Exploring the Origins of Pennywise
Few actors can shift so effortlessly between menace, mystery, and heartfelt depth as James Remar. Known for his iconic performances in The Warriors, Dexter, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, and Sex and the City, Remar now enters the terrifying world of Stephen King in the new HBO Max prequel series IT: Welcome to Derry.
“It’s about what Pennywise is and where he comes from,” Remar explains. “The show goes beyond the clown, it’s about the entity itself and its endless cycle of terror.”
Set in 1962, Welcome to Derry explores the sinister awakening of the entity decades before the events of IT. “This thing emerges every twenty-seven years to feed on fear,” he adds. “We’re exploring how that pattern began and why it endures.”
The Challenge of a Prequel
When asked about the suspense of a story where audiences already know the outcome, Remar draws a parallel to classic tragedies:
“We know how Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet end, but we tell those stories again because new performers bring fresh energy.”
Visually rich and cinematic, Welcome to Derry boasts a full feature-film scale. “They spent a fortune… twice,” Remar responds. “When the strike halted production, they kept everything standing. That shows how much faith Andy and Barbara Muschietti had in their vision.”
Working with Andy Muschietti
Remar speaks warmly of the acclaimed IT director: “Andy’s a cinematic genius. He frames scenes beautifully, but he also knows how to talk to actors, that’s rare. He trusts you, and that makes you want to give him everything back.” The director’s eye for performance, particularly with young actors, stands out. “The kids gave it everything, they truly lived that fear,” Remar says. “It’s powerful to watch.”
Inside General Shaw
In Welcome to Derry, Remar portrays General Shaw, a complex figure with a haunted past.
“He’s been to Derry before,” Remar teases. “There’s a realisation and homecoming in his story, a confrontation with deep-seated fears that have driven him his whole life.” Filming was emotionally demanding: “By the end of some scenes, I was sweating and out of breath. You live that terror as if it’s real.”
On Co-Star Jovan Adepo
Remar’s on-screen chemistry with Jovan Adepo (Overlord, Fences) is another highlight. “Jovan’s immaculate. He can do anything asked of him with precision and truth. He’s fearless but never forced, it’s all genuine.” Their partnership brings grounded humanity to the supernatural chaos of Derry.
Witnessing Bill Skarsgård Transform
“Bill Skarsgård is extraordinary,” Remar says. “Off-camera he’s a kind, beautiful soul—but when he becomes Pennywise, it’s pure appetite. No emotion, no mercy. Just hunger. It’s terrifying.” Remar recalls the transformation: “Watching him shift is like seeing an angel turn into a demon. It’s art.”
As a lifelong fan, Remar speaks reverently of Stephen King:
“It feels like being invited to the palace. King’s writing comes alive in your head like a movie—that’s why it adapts so well to screen.”
What Fans Can Expect
“I hope fans feel entertained and that this world they love has been honored,” Remar says. “It should feel seamless, like it’s always been part of the King universe.”
IT: Welcome To Derry is a full blown horror spectacle filled with helium nightmares and should be ON TOP of your Halloween watch list this year – Now streaming on HBO Max in Australia!
