Exclusive: Original Pennywise Makeup Artist Comments on New Character Design
Earlier this week, Entertainment Weekly scored the first look at Bill Skarsgard as a brand new iteration of Pennywise in the upcoming two-film adaptation of Stephen King’s It, and naturally, everyone on the internet offered up their thoughts. Some, like me, think the new design is super creepy and appreciate that he looks way different than the 1990 Pennywise, while others have criticized the makeup and costuming for “trying too hard” to be scary.
What do you think? Better yet, what does the man who designed the original Pennywise think?
As soon as the image of Pennywise 2017 hit the Net, I knew I had to have a little chat with makeup artist Bart J. Mixon, whose talents landed him on the set of Tommy Lee Wallace’s mini-series adaptation of King’s novel. Mixon is the man responsible for designing the Pennywise we all know and are terrified by, and I wanted to get his thoughts on new Pennywise. After all, who better to comment on the character’s redesign than Bart freakin’ Mixon?!
Related Story: Rare Photos Show Tim Curry in Unused Pennywise Concept Makeup
Graciously, Mixon took the time to answer my questions.
“I do need to see it within the context of the film, but so far I think he is looking pretty nice – especially seeing the full figure photo,” Mixon told me, referring to the latest reveal. “The costume seems to have a sort of [Guillermo] del Toro feel to it, and while some things like the shape of the head and the hair echo my design, IT is different enough, too. I miss my upturned nose and not sure why the ‘smile’ is so clean while the nose is rougher – but again, I need to see it within the proper context.”
Does Mixon think the new look is too scary to believably lure children into Pennywise’s grasp?
“I think Tim’s take worked so well because at first glance he appears harmless, but via his acting he becomes threatening,” Mixon explained. “This one does look very evil – I don’t think any kid would let this clown any where near him – but I was pushing for a ‘nice’ and ‘evil’ look for my Pennywise (which Tommy Lee Wallace did not go for) so maybe they are taking a similar approach here.”
And what about the lack of color in the new costume?
“I don’t mind it – seems to fit for the style of costume they are going with,” Mixon commented. “Not as loud or busy as what mine wore, but I had no input in that.”
The makeup master also spoke a bit about the new adaptation as a whole.
“While I am happy to have done the TV movie, a feature film should allow for more horrific imagery than we were,” Mixon said, seemingly hopeful about the new project. “I will be curious to see how they deal with the Spider/Turtle fight at the end of the book.”
“I would have liked to have been a part of IT – wish they would have asked,” he added.
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