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In 2017, the then 14 year-old actor [Jeremy Ray Taylor](https://www.instagram.com/jeremyraytaylor/) was cast into the spotlight with his role in _IT_, the film adaptation of Stephen King’s dynamic 1986 novel of the same name. The horror juggernaut was filled with suspense, friendship, and impeccable characterization. _IT_ was only the first part in a two-part adaptation, and it introduced us to the Losers Club—a group of seven children in their early teens, one of whom is the incredibly smart Ben Hanscom, played by Taylor—as well as the film’s villain, a character that prays upon the children of Derry, Maine, every 27 years. The second installation _IT CHAPTER 2_ is set 27 years after the end of the first film, in which we see the now older Losers Club come back to face the eponymous villain one last time. With the success of the second film imminent, as well as new upcoming projects, Jeremy Ray Taylor has a lot to look forward to.
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**What was it like getting the part in the first _IT_ movie? Were you a fan of the novel?**
I actually never heard of _IT_ before I got the role. Whenever I got an audition, I watched a few trailers just to see what I was actually getting into. Other than that, I really didn’t know anything about the movie until I got the role and started doing more research. I knew that Stephen King was a legendary writer—I think everybody knows that—but I didn’t know that he wrote _IT_.
**For the second film, what was it like reuniting with the cast, with The Losers Club? Did you all get close while filming the first movie?**
Yeah, during the first one we got really close and became friends. We kept in contact pretty well between the first and second films, but getting back in a working environment with all seven of them was so wonderful. Meeting our adult counterparts was cool, and seeing them have the same chemistry as us—it was almost nostalgic for us. It almost felt like we were looking back on our first day.
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**I’d like to ask you about those older actors as well. You were working alongside actors such as Bill Hader, Jessica Chastain, and James McAvoy. What was that like for you? Were you able to learn anything from them?**
It was amazing when they asked us for advice, because they’re such big actors that it’s like, “We don’t have any advice for you, just do your own thing.” It was amazing, we got along so well, and it was really strange to see myself in the future.
**That must have been so weird to see someone playing you in the future.**
It was very surreal.
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**For your next project, you’re filming the reboot of _Are You Afraid of the Dark_ right now. Both films are very much in the horror genre. Have you always been a big fan of horror that you were attracted to these films?**
Actually, before _IT_, I was terrified of them. I could never watch them or else it would never let me sleep for the next year. After I filmed the first _IT_ here, it feels like I’ve been opened up to this new part of entertainment. I’m okay with it now. I think it’s because I know more about the behind-the-scenes, and obviously it’s all fake. So, I’m actually a huge fan of them now, I watch them all the time.
**That’s great! You became familiar with it and how it works, so it’s not foreign to you anymore.**
Definitely.
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**Are you open to branching out into different genres of film? Do you like any in particular?**
I absolutely love the horror genre, but I would love to branch out and do some comedy, drama, action, any of that stuff—I’m open to anything.
**Is there anything right now that you would like to be in—say something that’s already out, or even something in the future?**
I heard Peter Dinklage is doing a movie soon, and I would love to be a part of that.
**Branching out and working with these different types of actors must be a great experience for you as an actor.**
Yeah, it’s wonderful.
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**Is there anything else you’re working on right now?**
I just finished filming _Are You Afraid of the Dark,_ which should be out in mid-October. And I’m also doing a thing called The “Good Days” Tour with a non-profit called “Safe and Sound Schools.” They’re trying to promote good vibes in schools, so me and my friends Chasing da Vinci are going on this tour to spread positivity, and do little workshops for these schools. They can actually submit on [safeandsoundschools.org/tour](https://www.safeandsoundschools.org/tour/). There will be three winners, and we’ll come do some workshops and speak at their school.
**That’s amazing that you’re doing stuff like that. It’s very nice of you.**
I’m really excited about it.
* * *
Photographed by: [Élio Nogueira](https://www.instagram.com/elionogueiraofficial/?hl=en).
Styled by: [Aleksandra Markovic](https://www.instagram.com/little_lexa_/).
Groomer: [Faye Lauren](https://www.instagram.com/fayelaurenmakeup/?hl=en) using [MAC Cosmetics](https://www.maccosmetics.com) and [R+Co](https://www.randco.com) at [Exclusive Artists](http://eamgmt.com).
Styling Assistent: [Victoria Shchepakina](https://www.instagram.com/victoriashchep/?hl=en).
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