MovieChat Forums > It (2017) Discussion > Stuttering Bill doesn't stutter?

Stuttering Bill doesn't stutter?

posted 8 years ago by patrickBOOTH
19 replies | jump to latest

With everybody talking about faithfulness to the novel or lack there of it got me thinking about Bill and his stutter. Will he stutter in this adaptation? How would you feel if he didn't? Sure it is a unique character trait and it is more relevant in some situations like The Ritual of Chud, but it could be easily done without. My thinking is that actors routinely look stupid trying to fake a stutter and the spirit of the novel can still be had without the on screen distraction of having an actor try and stutter. How would such a change make you feel?

[–] casey-75-119610 8 years ago

They'll definitely keep it in. It's the sole reason he's a loser.

[–] t3cii-1 8 years ago

Bill not stuttering in this movie would be a colossal mistake. It would fundamentally change who the character is, and be a complete misunderstanding of the material.

[–] CaptainCab 8 years ago

This wouldn't make much sense if he doesn't stutter:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIfhpUBj48_/

[–] cadoji 8 years ago

Yes, and even if they removed the stutter, what would Henry Bowers then pick on Bill with?

[–] Elphie_Tiggular 8 years ago

...what would Henry Bowers then pick on Bill with?

Though I do totally agree that Bill's stutter should be included...

...Bowers also bullied Bill because he was skinny, and dressed well (even referring to him as a pansy for doing so). But this is only briefly mentioned...with a quick reference to a Careers Day at school (and Bill's unfortunate tie). 😮

ELPHABA: Eleka Nahmen Nahmen Ah Tum Ah Tum Eleka Nahmen.

[–] patrickBOOTH 8 years ago

I'm not saying I don't think he is going to, just a thought that might have crossed the screenwriter's minds. Also, that phrase has been used for generations for different speech/concentration purposes. It isn't endemic to stuttering.

[–] bobbiekaye69 8 years ago

He thrusts his fists against the posts, and still insists he sees the ghosts.

They have to leave it in!

I intend to live forever.
So far, so good.

[–] patrickBOOTH 8 years ago

Like I said, it is a phrase used for different purposes for decades before this book was published. It could still be used during The Ritual of Chud. I just don't really think the stutter is necessary to capture the spirit of the novel. Far more drastic changes have been made to characters for film purposes that don't change the feel of the world that was created in print.

[–] CaptainCab 8 years ago

It is neccessary, though. The book is all about childhood fears and trauma's. Bill's was losing the love of his parents after the death of Georgie, think they blamed him for it. He believed overcoming his stutter by perfectly saying the phrase could make his parents love him again. Him finally managing to say it during the Ritual of Chüd = overcoming his childhood fear = beating It. The magic isn't the phrase itself.

[–] patrickBOOTH 8 years ago

That makes sense.

[–] bobbiekaye69 8 years ago

You nailed it, CaptainCab!

I intend to live forever.
So far, so good.

[–] t3cii-1 8 years ago

I just don't really think the stutter is necessary to capture the spirit of the novel

I just don't get this at all.

[–] Cult_of_Kibner 8 years ago

He should stutter but it wouldn't be a deal breaker or anything if he didn't. And yeah, now that you mention it actors can look pretty stupid when they're trying to fake a stutter. I seem to remember the stuttering in the old miniseries seeming pretty forced.

[–] killa-kael 8 years ago

Bill's stutter comes back when they find out It is back. That was prominent in the novel, hopefully this is not left out.

[–] stugood-07006 8 years ago

I demand a fixed number of stutters every ten minutes.

[–] TrollFiend 8 years ago

Why would you even think they wouldn't include his stutter?

[–] TheRealRandyWatson 8 years ago

Unlike say, Bev's hair lenght, Bill's stutter defines him as a character (they don't call him Stuttering Bill for nothing). So leaving out his stutter would change the character significally so I wouldn't be too pleased about it

My father was a drunk, a gambler and a womanizer. I idolized him