IT: Welcome to Derry looks like a chilling good time in first-look images

IT: Welcome to Derry looks like a chilling good time in first-look images

As a lifelong fan of Stephen King’s works and someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the chilling tales he weaves, I must admit that my anticipation for “IT: Welcome to Derry” is reaching an all-time high. The prospect of delving deeper into the rich tapestry of Derry’s dark history, as depicted through the interludes of King’s monumental work, is a tantalizing one indeed.


Stephen King’s novel “IT,” featuring the terrifying figure of Pennywise, a clown who feeds on children and haunts the town of Derry, has been causing nightmares since its publication in 1986. More recently, Andy Muschietti directed movies based on “IT” that were successful at the box office, to the point where HBO decided to produce a series titled “IT: Welcome to Derry” set in Derry before the main story takes place.

Typically, one might perceive this as HBO overextending, but there are two factors that instill hope: first, the source material is a massive book, providing ample content for a series. The upcoming show, titled “Welcome to Derry,” seems to focus on the interludes within the book, where one of the main characters, Mike Hanlon, delves into Derry’s past to uncover instances when Pennywise emerged to cause chaos. Recent glimpses of footage from HBO suggest that the show will center around an event involving The Black Spot, a 1930s gathering place for Black residents in Derry. It appears that Pennywise may manipulate members of the Maine Legion of White Decency to launch a racist attack on The Black Spot, which Pennywise seems to enjoy.

As a cinephile, I can’t help but speculate! From the released images, it seems plausible that Jovan Adepo might embody the younger version of Will Hanlon, who is apparently Mike Hanlon’s father. Additionally, Taylour Paige could be portraying Jessica, Will Hanlon’s future spouse, in the upcoming production. However, HBO has yet to officially confirm these roles.

IT: Welcome to Derry looks like a chilling good time in first-look imagesIT: Welcome to Derry looks like a chilling good time in first-look imagesIT: Welcome to Derry looks like a chilling good time in first-look imagesIT: Welcome to Derry looks like a chilling good time in first-look images

In addition to Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso, the other cast members include Bill Skarsgård, who will once again take on the chilling role of Pennywise the Dancing Clown from the movies. However, please note that he is not depicted in this particular image.

IT: Welcome to Derry looks like a chilling good time in first-look imagesIT: Welcome to Derry looks like a chilling good time in first-look images

Similar to the initial “IT”, a group of younger characters will also be featured prominently. Children are reportedly one of Pennywise’s preferred ‘meals’, as their fear is said to be more innocent and tantalizing. HBO has yet to disclose the names of these child actors, but we do have some images available.

IT: Welcome to Derry looks like a chilling good time in first-look imagesIT: Welcome to Derry looks like a chilling good time in first-look images

From the fashion and hairdos, it’s clear that the story of “IT: Welcome to Derry” doesn’t take place in the 1930s. Instead, the events at the Black Spot will be shifted to the 1960s, much like how the book’s events were advanced by 30 years for the more recent movies. As Muschietti explained to Entertainment Weekly, this new setting represents a different era of American history, filled with fresh anxieties for children, along with adults grappling with the tensions of the Cold War. The storyline is primarily set in 1962, but there are some time jumps… Every 27 years when It reappears, its cycle is marked by two significant events, one at the start and one at the end. We’re using the Black Spot as an event that serves as a foundation for many interconnected stories.

Previously, I shared two factors fueling my optimism for this television series. One of them was the fact that HBO has been exceptionally skilled at adapting significant intellectual properties into captivating TV shows. Recently, they transformed the popular video game franchise “The Last of Us” into a series last year, and it was a massive hit. Currently, they’re airing “The Penguin,” a spinoff from 2022’s “The Batman” focusing on a secondary villain character, which is impressively well-done. In the near future, they plan to release “Dune: Prophecy,” a show set in the “Dune” universe, and while I can’t reveal any spoilers, the episodes I’ve previewed are remarkably good!

Essentially, HBO appears to be skilled at producing successful shows based on well-known intellectual properties (IP). While there’s always a risk that they might become complacent over time, for now, they have my confidence. I anticipate that the show IT: Welcome to Derry will maintain this level of quality.

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2024-10-31 20:41

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