# Jesse Plemons turned down one of horror’s most famous villains. He “didn’t want to go there”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/jesse-plemons-turned-down-one-of-horrors-most-famous-villains-he-didnt-want-to-go-there/
- Published: 2026-10-24T15:15:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-24T16:38:55+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/jesse-plemons-turned-down-one-of-horrors-most-famous-villains-he-didnt-want-to-go-there/
- Topics: Americas, Business, Entertainment, Horror, Markets, World

## Key points

- Jesse Plemons declined the role of Pennywise.
- Bill Skarsgård went on to play the horror villain.
- Plemons later starred in the horror film *Antlers*.

## Summary

Jesse Plemons says he turned down the role of Pennywise in the film adaptation of Stephen King’s *It*, despite having built a reputation for playing quietly menacing characters. He told *Playboy* in 2018 that he received a call about the part but simply did not want to take it; the decision left the role open for Bill Skarsgård.

The article suggests Plemons may have preferred understated menace to Pennywise’s flamboyant horror, though it gives no definitive reason for his decision. He later appeared in the horror film *Antlers* as a sheriff facing a supernatural threat, suggesting he was willing to work in the genre but not keen to play the monster. The article also notes his record of appearing in eight films nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture over 11 years.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.