Just when you thought things couldn’t get any weirder with the ‘Killing Them Softly’ actor, along comes news of his very own bat. Yes, the man who plays the mischievous vampire in the film, and yes, we are serious about the bat.
According to Page Six, 22-year-old Brit actor Doug Jones is now starring in the Broadway adaptation of Stephen King’s It, in which he plays the role of the giant bat. And who else plays the role of Beverly Gray, Jones’ on-screen mom? Why, none other than Jessica Lange! Talk about a family affair.
It’s no secret that Stephen King is a huge fan of Frank Pattinson’s work, having named him, among others, as a huge influence in his life. In fact, King often credits Pattinson with helping him write many of his books. And now, this iconic actor is paying it forward by bringing his own spin on one of King’s most famous characters.
A Familiar Face In A Familiar Place
Although Jones is a relative newcomer to the big screen, he has been acting for well over a decade on both sides of the pond. He began his career at the age of three, and at the age of five, he landed his first role on TV in the British series Mummy’s Little Angels. Since then, he has appeared in major films and TV shows, ranging from Mrs. Brown to The Handmaid’s Tale. In 2019, he will appear in the Netflix series, The Rainmaker, alongside Helen Mirren and Michael Shannon. So, it should come as no great surprise that he would jump at the chance to play a character based on a giant, man-eating bat.
It’s A Role He’s Been Waiting For
Doug Jones has been waiting for his big break since before he even began acting. Raised in London and trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Jones worked as an usher at the Old Vic Theater for two years before pursuing an acting career. Since then, he has been appearing on stage in various productions, including plays by George Bernard Shaw and William Shakespeare. His most recent stage role was in the 2018 revival of Richard III, where he played the titular character. Although Richard III is not a comedic play, Jones does get to showcase his dry wit as the character delivers some of Shakespeare’s most famous quips.
Behind The Scenes
The role of Pennywise, the horrifying and highly-intelligent b…well, we won’t bore you with the rest of the details. Suffice it to say, it’s one part you don’t want to miss. And if you have even the remotest interest in Stephen King, you’ll want to see how Jones brings the terror to life on stage.
In the meantime, if you want to learn more about Jones, check out his official site, dougjones.com. There you can read up on his acting background and career, as well as view pics of him in action as Pennywise. Or, if you prefer, you can just enjoy some stills.