Curry’s ability to bring Pennywise to life should have come as no surprise, given his impressive track record of embodying diverse characters. From the flamboyant Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” to the menacing Darkness in “Legend,” Curry consistently demonstrated his transformative skills. Yet, one might wonder how the role would have impacted audiences if it had been portrayed by someone else.

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, director Tommy Lee Wallace disclosed that three other actors were considered for the role of Pennywise, each potentially offering a unique take on the character. Let’s explore who these contenders were before Curry ultimately claimed the part.

One notable actor in the running was Roddy McDowall. The London-born thespian, not typically associated with villainous roles, had previously collaborated with Wallace on “Fright Night Part 2,” where he reprised his role as Peter Vincent. This connection gave McDowall a strong chance at embodying the sinister clown.

While McDowall may not immediately come to mind as Pennywise, his ability to immerse himself in characters, such as Cornelius in the 1968 classic “Planet of the Apes,” suggests that his version of the clown could have offered a unique and potentially delightful surprise for viewers.

In an interview with The Movie Waffler, Wallace spoke about the experience of working with McDowall. “Roddy was the consummate pro,” Wallace said. “Although he was Hollywood royalty, he never lorded it over anyone, or made you feel like he was above this seemingly lowly sequel. He was always well-prepared and humble, he took his part seriously, and was assertive in a very constructive way, which invariably resulted in a better scene, or a better line reading. He had a great sense of humor.”

While most fans may not see McDowall as Pennywise, the actor proved he could disappear into roles as Cornelius in 1968’s “Planet of the Apes.” His Pennywise would have certainly been a different version than Curry’s, but it might have pleasantly surprised viewers too.

Shock rocker Alice Cooper used the horror genre as a vessel for his music. Applying a theatrical element to his shows, appearance, and music videos, as well as writing lyrics that leaned more to the dark side, Cooper turned himself into a horror icon. He also dipped his toes into the film industry, appearing in motion pictures such as John Carpenter’s “Prince of Darkness” and Rachel Talalay’s “Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare.”

Tommy Lee Wallace disclosed that Cooper was also considered for the part of Pennywise in “It.” According to Cooper, he was actually offered the role and turned it down. “I remember being approached to play the part of Pennywise in the original ‘It’ film and I passed,” Cooper told Experience Magazine. “I definitely regret that.”

While Cooper is an indisputable horror icon, it’s difficult to imagine him being a better Pennywise than Curry, or any of the other actors mentioned here. Plus, Cooper has always been better when he appears as himself in movies, such as when he joined the cast of “Wayne’s World.”

When it comes to despicable villains, Malcolm McDowell carved a niche all for himself. After all, he personified pure evil as Alex DeLarge in Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange,” and has since never met a baddie he couldn’t play. Resultantly, it isn’t tough to imagine McDowell channeling that sinister energy to play the embodiment of malevolence that is Pennywise.

As director Tommy Lee Wallace told Yahoo, McDowell was one of the names in contention for the main role in “It” while other filmmakers were attached to the project. But for Wallace, Tim Curry was the logical choice. “Malcom would’ve called on his inner Droog, and the result would’ve been menacing and colorful, no doubt,” Wallace said. “Tim Curry was always the name for me; honestly, it’s hard to think seriously of anyone else in the role, he is and was that good.”

McDowell’s version of Pennywise might have been closer to Bill Skarsgård’s than Curry’s. Curry could disarm children before dialing up the evil once their guard dropped, while McDowell’s Pennywise would have been eerie from the get-go.