It’s the Booze Talkin’; Pennywise should return for more sequels!

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

When filmmakers first began to create scary movies to send shivers down your spine, they found early on that a great villain is perhaps more important than the heroes. It started with Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolf Man and a few other classic monsters who would terrorize the hapless victims – even if the real monster in Frankenstein were the revenge driven humans and the doctor himself. And then in the Seventies, we started to see a new breed of horror stars. Leatherface would happily wear your skin in THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE. Michael Myers came around to scare your local babysitter on HALLOWEEN. If you wanted to get away for a nice quiet camping trip, you wouldn’t last too long if Jason Voorhees was celebrating FRIDAY THE 13th. And hell, even if you are safe at home in your own bed, your nightmares would bring Freddy Krueger to give you A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET.

There are countess other famous genre stars, but lately the familiar faces aren’t quite as obvious as a masked maniac brandishing a knife. You could count ANNABELLE, and perhaps even Jigsaw since we are about to see that clever killer’s return in a new SAW flick. However, we don’t have anything quite as colorful as all those amazing characters that haunted us in theatres and at home watching scary movies. Or don’t we? Now if you look at Netflix and their genre selection, you’ll find quite a few wannabe horror icons. However, you could simply look at the recent box office numbers to realize that we have one of the most exciting genre figures courtesy of the amazing Bill Skarsgård. While many feared the actor wouldn’t live up to what the great Tim Curry did back in the TV mini-series It in 1990, Bill has proven that his Pennywise in IT and IT: CHAPTER 2 is a brilliant new horror icon. One that is perhaps scarier than the movies he is in.

The obvious difference between say Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees is that they are original killers with a simple slasher storyline. Pennywise of course was created by Stephen King in a remarkably twisted book. The novel “It” is a splendid and creepy story that also happens to be especially long for a horror novel. However, by dealing with the same characters as young kids and as adults, there was plenty of material to warrant the length. Could there be more to IT? is there a life outside of The Loser’s Club for Pennywise to exist in? After all, there are many other victims that have succumb to this evil clown. What about their stories? Could Pennywise branch out into his very own franchise? Frankly, with Bill’s incredible performance, I think it would be a waste not to try and utilize him again.

While Stephen King’s cinematic adaptations aren’t always successful with their sequels – ones that go off in a new direction from the source material – they do exist. The original PET SEMETARY, CARRIE, SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK have all had continuations. And now, with the television series Castle Rock, we are seeing many of King’s iconic characters return. This coming season Annie Wilkes looks as if she is ready to continue her unhealthy obsession with MISERY. This time, Lizzie Caplan will get the chance to play the crazed fan. This series has found a unique way to incorporate many of King’s creations into one story, and give us something quite new. As well, the series does happen to feature a certain Bill Skarsgård as “The Kid” so you know that the actor fits right into this weird and wonderful world.

With a Pennywise franchise, you can certainly find other tales that involve Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Like anything else, if you get the right talent involved and tell a good story, this character could easily bring fans something fresh and frightening. Perhaps they could start with a prequel, and then find certain moments throughout his time off from "The Losers," you could certainly bring his fanciful brand of fear to a new set of folks who can feed him their darkest dreams. I mean, we did see – and many of us read – how many other unfortunate souls float within his realm. There are others, and their stories could be told too. Bill’s magnificent performance in both films gives promise of a brand new franchise villain, one that could easily continue in more chapters to come. Start from the beginning, and continue on. Pennywise is surely a character that can easily return.

Maybe it’s the Booze Talkin’, but Pennywise should return for more sequels. And yes, that means outside the characters we’ve already seen. As much as I enjoyed Richie, Eddie, Beverly, Bill, Mike and Ben, their tale has been told. A smart writer and director could easily bring Pennywise back to bring terror to the fine folks of Derry. After all, we all saw the many souls floating around already, what do they have to tell us about that scary clown and the Deadlights? With the resurgence of Stephen King’s work, and the continued success of IT, the only thing that would be shocking is if this series didn't continue in some way. And frankly, if Mr. Skarsgård is willing to go through hours of make-up for a sequel or two, then bring it on. This is a character that has much more to say. What do you think? Would you like to see the IT franchise continue on with Pennywise and his many other victims? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.