Hold onto your red balloons, because we're diving back into the chilling world of Derry! The upcoming prequel series, It: Welcome to Derry, promises to unearth even more terrifying secrets from Stephen King's iconic tale. During a recent New York Comic Con panel, the creative team and cast unveiled how they're expanding the lore and upping the scare factor. Get ready to explore the origins of Pennywise like never before.
This isn't the first time the terrifying monster from Stephen King's bestseller has haunted our screens, but this series promises a deeper dive. The show's director and executive producer, Andy Muschietti, along with executive producer Barbara Muschietti, co-showrunners Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane, and the cast, including Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, and Kimberly Guerrero, shared exciting details.
Set in 1962, a full 27 years before the events of It Chapter One, the series revisits Derry during another cycle of Pennywise's reign of terror. The concept was brought to King, who gave his full support.
Andy Muschietti explained that the series will be closer in spirit to the book, capturing the textures and feel, even if the characters are different. He hinted at significant connections and bloodlines that will be revealed, adding a layer of intrigue for fans.
But here's where it gets controversial... The series will delve into Pennywise's origins, using the book's five interludes as a blueprint. Andy described it as a story told backward, revealing the events that led to Pennywise's emergence. He teased that there's a reason for this unique storytelling approach, encouraging viewers to tune in to uncover the secret.
The idea for the prequel sparked from conversations between Muschietti and Bill Skarsgard (the actor who played Pennywise in the films) while filming It Chapter Two. They pondered how Pennywise became the clown and the role of the mysterious Bob Gray.
Muschietti realized that Pennywise's origin story was just the beginning. The interludes, written by Mike Hanlon in the book, offered a fragmented document of past experiences, raising more questions than answers.
And this is the part most people miss... The series aims to answer why Pennywise returns to Derry. Why this small town? Why the form of a clown? Co-showrunner Fuchs explained that they wanted to unravel these mysteries that have puzzled readers and viewers for decades.
Kane added that the 1962 setting provides a rich backdrop to explore the monster's motives, particularly the social implications of the time, which will be interwoven with the horror.
Adding to the anticipation, Kane promised that the cast's performances will be emotionally impactful. Guerrero, who plays Rose, highlighted the importance of representing historically underrepresented backgrounds in the It universe. Paige, who plays Charlotte, discussed her character's suppressed dreams and the societal constraints of the era.
What do you think about the prequel's focus on Pennywise's origins and the expanded lore? Do you have any burning questions about the series? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
