Every Actor Who Brought the Losers Club and Pennywise to Life in the IT Movie Franchise

The adaptation of Stephen King’s monumental horror novel IT stands as one of the most successful cinematic undertakings in modern horror history. Directed by Andy Muschietti, the two-part film series—IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019)—captivated audiences worldwide. A significant portion of this success is attributed to its impeccable casting, which required finding two sets of actors to portray the same group of characters across a 27-year time jump.

In the story set in Derry, Maine, seven children known as the "Losers Club" battle a shape-shifting entity they call "It," which primarily manifests as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. The first film focuses on the group as children in the late 1980s, while the second film follows them as adults returning to their hometown to finish the fight in the late 2010s.

The Core of the Story: The Losers Club Child Actors (2017)

The 2017 film relied heavily on the chemistry of its young cast. The production needed to find seven children who could not only handle the intense emotional demands of a horror film but also feel like a genuine group of best friends.

Bill Denbrough played by Jaeden Martell

Jaeden Martell (credited as Jaeden Lieberher in the first film) plays Bill Denbrough, the stuttering leader of the Losers Club. Bill’s motivation is deeply personal, driven by the loss of his younger brother, Georgie. Martell’s performance was praised for its subtlety, capturing the quiet strength and the heavy burden of guilt that Bill carries. He portrays the stutter not just as a speech impediment, but as a physical manifestation of his trauma.

Beverly Marsh played by Sophia Lillis

As the only female member of the Losers Club, Beverly Marsh faces horrors both from the supernatural entity and her own home life. Sophia Lillis delivered a breakout performance, capturing Beverly’s resilience and vulnerability. Her ability to convey complex emotions through her expressions made her a standout in the ensemble, particularly in the infamous "blood bathroom" scene.

Richie Tozier played by Finn Wolfhard

Coming off the success of Stranger Things, Finn Wolfhard was cast as the foul-mouthed, joke-cracking Richie Tozier. Richie serves as the comic relief, using humor as a defense mechanism against his deep-seated fears. Wolfhard brought a high-energy, rapid-fire delivery to the role that became a hallmark of the group's dynamic.

Ben Hanscom played by Jeremy Ray Taylor

Jeremy Ray Taylor portrays Ben Hanscom, the new kid in town who spends his time in the library researching Derry’s dark history. Taylor brought a sweetness and sincerity to Ben, making his unrequited crush on Beverly and his eventual acceptance by the group deeply touching. His character provides the intellectual foundation for the Losers' understanding of "It."

Eddie Kaspbrak played by Jack Dylan Grazer

Jack Dylan Grazer plays the hypochondriac Eddie Kaspbrak. Grazer’s frantic, fast-talking performance perfectly captured the character’s anxiety and his overbearing relationship with his mother. Eddie’s obsession with germs and safety creates a sharp contrast to the genuine dangers the group faces.

Mike Hanlon played by Chosen Jacobs

Chosen Jacobs portrays Mike Hanlon, an outsider even among the Losers due to his homeschool background and his family’s history in Derry. Mike is the one who sees the most visceral historical horrors of the town. Jacobs brings a grounded, soulful quality to Mike, who eventually becomes the group’s historian.

Stanley Uris played by Wyatt Oleff

Wyatt Oleff plays Stanley Uris, the son of a Rabbi who struggles with the lack of logic in the supernatural events occurring around him. Stan is perhaps the most reluctant member of the group to accept the reality of Pennywise. Oleff portrays Stan’s growing dread and his desire for order with a quiet intensity.

The Legacy Continued: The Adult Actors of IT Chapter Two (2019)

Casting the adult versions of the Losers Club was a monumental task. The actors needed to look like their younger counterparts, but more importantly, they had to mirror their mannerisms and speech patterns to maintain continuity.

Bill Denbrough played by James McAvoy

James McAvoy took on the role of the adult Bill Denbrough, now a successful horror novelist and screenwriter. McAvoy effectively channeled Martell’s stutter, showing how the trauma returns as Bill nears Derry. His performance anchors the emotional stakes of the sequel, especially as he confronts the memory of Georgie once again.

Beverly Marsh played by Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain was the top choice for many fans to play the adult Beverly, and she delivered a powerful performance. The adult Beverly is a successful fashion designer trapped in an abusive marriage, mirroring her childhood trauma. Chastain captures the character’s transition from a victim of her past to a warrior for her future.

Richie Tozier played by Bill Hader

Bill Hader’s casting as Richie Tozier was widely celebrated. Known for his comedic range on Saturday Night Live, Hader brought a perfect blend of humor and pathos to the role. In Chapter Two, Richie is a successful stand-up comedian harboring a secret. Hader’s performance, particularly in the film's climax, provided the emotional heart of the sequel.

Ben Hanscom played by Jay Ryan

Jay Ryan portrays the adult Ben Hanscom, who has undergone a physical transformation into a successful and fit architect but remains the sensitive soul he was as a child. Ryan captures the lingering loneliness of the character and his enduring devotion to Beverly.

Eddie Kaspbrak played by James Ransone

James Ransone’s performance as the adult Eddie is often cited as one of the most accurate "adult versions" in cinema. Ransone perfectly mimicked Jack Dylan Grazer’s nervous energy, fast talking, and specific physical ticks. The transition between the two actors is virtually seamless.

Mike Hanlon played by Isaiah Mustafa

Isaiah Mustafa plays the adult Mike Hanlon, the only member of the Losers Club who stayed behind in Derry. Mike has spent 27 years obsessing over how to defeat It. Mustafa brings a sense of frantic urgency and burdened knowledge to the character, acting as the catalyst who brings the group back together.

Stanley Uris played by Andy Bean

Andy Bean plays the adult Stanley Uris. While Stan’s screen time in the sequel is limited due to the character’s tragic choice early in the film, Bean captures the adult version of the fear and order-seeking nature that Wyatt Oleff established in the first movie.

The Face of Terror: Pennywise the Dancing Clown

Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise

The most critical piece of casting for the franchise was the titular entity. Replacing Tim Curry’s iconic 1990 portrayal was a daunting task, but Bill Skarsgård created a version of Pennywise that was entirely his own.

Skarsgård’s Pennywise is predatory, animalistic, and deeply unsettling. In our analysis of his performance, several key elements stand out:

• Physicality: Skarsgård used his tall, lanky frame to create unnatural movements. He famously controlled his eyes so they could point in different directions simultaneously, a trait that was not CGI-enhanced but a physical skill he brought to the character.
• Voice: He developed a high-pitched, cracking voice that could instantly drop into a guttural growl, embodying the "Dancing Clown" persona while hinting at the ancient monster beneath.
• The Smile: The prosthetic teeth were designed to be large and rabbit-like, but it was Skarsgård’s ability to contort his mouth into a sinister grin that truly sold the horror.

Other Manifestations of "It"

The entity takes many forms throughout the films, each requiring specific actors or physical performers:

• Javier Botet as The Hobo and The Leper: A legendary physical performer known for his hyper-flexibility, Botet portrayed some of the most disturbing incarnations of It, including the rotting Leper that chases Eddie.
• Tatum Lee as Judith: The terrifying, distorted woman from the painting that haunts Stanley.
• Joan Gregson as Mrs. Kersh: In Chapter Two, she plays the elderly woman who welcomes Beverly back to her old apartment, eventually transforming into a monstrous form.

The Antagonists and Supporting Characters

While Pennywise is the primary threat, the town of Derry is filled with human monsters and tragic figures who fill out the cast.

Henry Bowers (Nicholas Hamilton & Teach Grant)

Henry Bowers is the sociopathic bully who terrorizes the Losers Club. In the 2017 film, Nicholas Hamilton portrays Henry as a victim of his father’s abuse who eventually snaps. In the 2019 sequel, Teach Grant plays the adult Henry, who escapes from a psychiatric hospital to finish what he started, driven by Pennywise’s influence.

Georgie Denbrough (Jackson Robert Scott)

The death of Georgie is the inciting incident of the entire story. Jackson Robert Scott’s performance in the yellow raincoat became an immediate icon of horror. His ability to switch from innocent child to a terrifying manifestation of It in the basement scene was pivotal for the first film’s tone.

The Bowers Gang

• Jake Sim as Belch Huggins: The muscle of Henry’s group.
• Logan Thompson as Victor Criss: A more reluctant member of the bullies who still participates in the violence.
• Owen Teague as Patrick Hockstetter: A truly disturbed character whose scenes in the first film hinted at a much darker psychopathy, cut short by Pennywise in the sewers.

The Parents and Residents of Derry

• Stephen Bogaert as Mr. Marsh: Beverly’s abusive father.
• Molly Atkinson as Sonia Kaspbrak: Eddie’s overprotective and Munchausen-by-proxy mother.
• Steven Williams as Leroy Hanlon: Mike’s grandfather who tries to harden him for the world.
• Geoffrey Pounsett and Pip Dwyer: Play Bill and Georgie’s parents, Zach and Sharon Denbrough, who are lost in their own grief.

Production and Casting Philosophy

Director Andy Muschietti and casting director Rich Delia focused on finding actors who could inhabit the "spirit" of the characters rather than just their physical descriptions from the book.

One interesting aspect of the production was the "seclusion" of Bill Skarsgård during the filming of the first movie. The child actors did not meet Skarsgård in his full Pennywise makeup until they were filming their first scenes together. This was a deliberate choice to ensure that their reactions of fear were as genuine as possible. During the filming of the Neibolt Street house scenes, the tension on set was palpable because the children were genuinely intimidated by Skarsgård's presence.

In IT Chapter Two, the production went through a rigorous process of "matching." For example, when casting James Ransone as Eddie, the filmmakers looked at split-screen comparisons of him and Jack Dylan Grazer to ensure the audience would instantly recognize the character despite the age gap.

Summary of the Cast and Their Roles

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who plays the clown in the IT movies?

Bill Skarsgård portrays Pennywise the Dancing Clown in both the 2017 and 2019 films. He is known for his transformative physical performance and distinct voice.

Are the kids in IT the same as the kids in Stranger Things?

Only Finn Wolfhard, who plays Richie Tozier in IT, is a main cast member of Stranger Things (where he plays Mike Wheeler). The other children are different actors, though they share a similar 1980s aesthetic.

Why were there two different casts for the Losers Club?

Because the story takes place across two distinct time periods. The first part is set in 1988-1989 when the characters are children, and the second part is set 27 years later in 2016. The production chose to use adult actors who resembled the child actors to show the passage of time.

Is Bill Skarsgård returning for the IT prequel series?

Yes, it has been confirmed that Bill Skarsgård will reprise his role as Pennywise in the upcoming HBO prequel series titled It: Welcome to Derry, which is expected to premiere in 2025.

Did they use CGI to make the adult actors look like the kids?

In IT Chapter Two, some de-aging CGI was used for flashback scenes involving the child actors because they had naturally aged between the filming of the two movies. However, for the main adult roles, they relied on casting actors who naturally resembled the younger versions.

Who is the director of the IT movies?

Both IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019) were directed by Andy Muschietti, who is also involved in the production of the prequel series.