HorrorHound Weekend: Bonding with the Losers’ Club of IT
At HorrorHound Weekend in Indianapolis, I attended the IT panel featuring some of the Losers’ Club members. They talked about relationships, their characters’ personal demons and much more!
“No good friends, no bad friends; only people you want, need to be with. People who build their houses in your heart.” – Stephen King
We All Float Down Here
I was fortunate enough to attend HorrorHound Weekend in Indianapolis this year. One of the panels that I most wanted to see was the Losers’ Club from the motion picture IT. When Chosen Jacobs, Wyatt Oleff, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Jack Dylan Grazer and Jackson Robert Scott took the stage I felt like I was in the middle of a rock concert.
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The audience erupted into cheers and screams. It was really something to behold. The reason for all of the fuss? The actors!
They are the driving force behind this movie’s success. Sure, Pennywise was part of it but the main attraction was the way that the Losers’ Club interacted with one another.
Stephen King excels at writing about friendships and bonds that withstand the test of time. We can see ourselves in each of the characters and get transported back to a place where the only thing that mattered was having fun and being with people that you want to be with.
That is the secret to the Losers’ Club. Knowing that no matter how awkward you are or whatever faults you have, someone cares about you and likes you for who you truly are. The notion that someone watches out for you can be the key to survival when you need it the most.
Bonding Time
Prior to the shoot, according to Jeremy Ray Taylor who played Ben Hanscom, “We had two weeks of bonding time. Our acting coach had us play games that would strengthen our bonds. Like looking into each other’s eyes and stuff which really helped.”
Hanging out in their down time is what Jack Dylan Grazer (Eddie Kaspbrak) attributes to their successful interactions with one another. “We had a lot of sleepovers so that is why we were really close.”
Another important part of the equation is that each of the kids have personal issues. They have their own set of demons either domestic or internal. So, how did they manage to convincingly portray those struggles on screen?
All of the Losers agreed that each and every one of their characters had “messed up home situations.” Wyatt Oleff (Stanley Uris) brought up the subject of puberty. “Going through puberty is like fighting demons basically. Anyone can relate to it.”
Chosen Jacobs (Mike Hanlon) believes that this is what caused the group of friends to form a circle of trust, “Our character’s screwed-up home lives made us appreciate our friendships more. That is why we spent so much time together.”
About Mr. King and Horror
Oddly enough, all of the Losers disclosed that they hadn’t met the man responsible for giving life to their roles. Jack Dylan Grazer chimed in and said that he would “like to visit his (King’s) house. I’d really love to know what made him come up with this stuff.”
Wyatt Oleff gave a compliment to the prolific creator by stating, “This man is well-versed in the universe of horror. He is very inspiring. It’s crazy, I love it!”
It is evident that there is much admiration for the author and his work. Each actor was profoundly grateful for their involvement in such a beloved story that has affected so many people’s lives.
Judging by the warm reception at HHW, the Losers’ Club can now take their place in cinematic history.
Next. HHW: Bruce Campbell – No mugging allowed!. dark
Are you looking forward to IT: Chapter 2? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below. We want to hear from you.