Clowns say terrifying Pennywise is ruining the industry

The new feature film version of Stephen King’s It is set to rake in the big bucks over opening weekend in September. 

But while those involved with the film are almost certain to experience great success, the film is causing a downturn in another industry: clowning.

Back in April, Stephen King revealed that those who make their living dressing up in white make-up, red noses and floppy shoes have been none to pleased with the recent revival of his popular horror story and its nightmare-inducing villain, Pennywise the murderous clown.

Scary sight: The upcoming film adaptation of Stephen King’s It has been causing real clowns to lost jobs

On its way back: The new movie, starring Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise the killer clown, will be hitting theaters on September 8

On its way back: The new movie, starring Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise the killer clown, will be hitting theaters on September 8

‘The clowns are pissed at me. Sorry, most are great. BUT… kids have always been scared of clowns. Don’t kill the messengers for the message,’ he wrote. 

Now, the World Clown Association president, Pam Moody, is confirming the news, saying to The Hollywood Reporter that many of her cohorts have had ‘school shows and library shows that were canceled.’

Pam, whose alter-ego Sparky the Firefighter Clown helps educate kids on fire safety in Des Moines, Iowa, claims that King introduced the concept of the evil clown to popular culture with his novel, and its 1990 television adaptation.

She takes issue with the portrayal, defining Pennywise as something closer to science fiction, adding that he ‘is not a clown and has nothing to do with pro clowning’.

The real story: Pam Moody, the president of the World Clown Association, has revealed that clowns have recently had 'school shows and library shows' cancelled

The real story: Pam Moody, the president of the World Clown Association, has revealed that clowns have recently had 'school shows and library shows' cancelled

The real story: Pam Moody, the president of the World Clown Association, has revealed that clowns have recently had ‘school shows and library shows’ cancelled

Ominous presence: Stephen King originally envisioned his villain as a clown as he believes 'kids have always been scared of clowns'

Ominous presence: Stephen King originally envisioned his villain as a clown as he believes ‘kids have always been scared of clowns’

Other trouble: Pam said the combination of the film portrayals and the spate of evil clowns showing up in neighborhoods is killing the professional clowning industry

Other trouble: Pam said the combination of the film portrayals and the spate of evil clowns showing up in neighborhoods is killing the professional clowning industry

Of course, the fault of the recent hit on her business doesn’t sit solely with King. Last year there were a series of evil clown sightings in residential areas in the US that went viral online, showing that simply being in an empty place in clown make-up is all it takes to scare the pants off of most. 

Also contributing to the spread of coulrophobia – fear of clowns – was FX’s American Horror Story, which featured a horrifying clown named Twisty, who sported a prosthetic grin and blood-stained pierrot-like outfit.

The disgraced children’s performer was ousted from the circus after being unfairly accused of molesting children, and subsequently went on a murderous rampage, kidnapping and killing young victims, and leaving the residents of his small hometown fearing for their lives.

According to Pam, the evil clown sightings left the industry ‘really blindsided,’ so this time they have come prepared: ‘We’ve since created a press kit to prepare clowns for [It] coming out.’

Still in nightmares: Pennywise was previously played in the 1990 TV adaptation by Tim Curry

Still in nightmares: Pennywise was previously played in the 1990 TV adaptation by Tim Curry

The ‘WCA Stand on Scary Clowns !!’ release includes encouraging words, reminds that children should not be exposed to such films and that simply putting on a rubber mask ‘does not make one a clown.’

Still, it’s been tough. Pam also revealed that one WCA member even had the police called on her while she was waiting in her parked car before heading into a children’s birthday party, simply because of her work attire.

Pennywise himself, once played by Tim Curry and now taken on by Bill Skarsgard, appears in a variety of forms – yet it is the red-haired, white-faced clown that has haunted viewers’ dreams the most.

Although the new movie is due to open at the box office on September 8, It already seems on track to be a success with critics calling it ‘polished’, ‘surprisingly funny’, and even one of the best movies of the year. 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk