It: Welcome to Derry Will Be Scary According to Director Andy Muschietti

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Andy Muschietti, the director of the upcoming HBO prequel series, says the new show will have even bigger challenges and dangers than his previous films. The series is a prequel to the two *It* movies he released in 2017 and 2019.

I recently read an interview with Andy Muschietti where he talked about the upcoming *It* prequel series, and it sounds like they’re really aiming to deliver something special. He said they’re hoping for a deeper connection with the characters than we’ve seen before, and that the scares will be amped up – he even suggested they’re aiming for horror that’s ten times more intense! It sounds like they’re really trying to push the boundaries of what’s scary, and I’m definitely intrigued.

Muschietti explained that the series will also expand on the deeper lore for fans of the book and films. They’re offering a peek behind the curtain, and the groundwork laid in the first season will pay off in seasons two and three by answering the biggest mysteries surrounding ‘It’ – its motivations and its origins. They plan to reveal the meaning behind all the previously puzzling elements of the story.

The new series, *It: Welcome to Derry*, created by Andy and Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs (who also serves as showrunner with Brad Caleb Kane), returns to the terrifying town of Derry, Maine. Set in 1962—almost 30 years before the events of the 2017 film *It*—the show primarily follows Charlotte and Leroy Hanlon (played by Taylour Paige and Jovan Adepo) as they move to Derry with their young son, just as Pennywise begins a new wave of terror. The series will also star James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso.

It’s not surprising that Bill Skarsgård is returning to play Pennywise in a new It project. Director Andy Muschietti had mentioned Skarsgård was initially hesitant, as he’d recently played several dark characters. However, after discussing the new story’s potential, Skarsgård decided to reprise the role.

Why It: Welcome to Derry is So Important to the Series’ Overarching Narrative

I was really fascinated to hear Andy Muschietti talk about how he approached the series. He explained that each season actually draws its inspiration from the interludes in Stephen King’s original novel. Apparently, those interludes are essentially snippets of research compiled by the character Mike Hanlon – little pieces of his investigation into the town’s dark history.

Director Muschietti shared that the story references past disasters in Derry, such as the Black Spot fire, the killing of the Bradley Gang (a group of bank robbers from the 1930s), and the Kitchener Ironworks explosion. He explained that each time Pennywise awakens, a major catastrophic event occurs to begin his cycle of terror. While HBO hasn’t announced whether the show will continue, Muschietti’s detailed plan for the story is a positive sign.

It: Welcome to Derry is currently slated to premiere on HBO on Oct. 26.

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2025-10-05 22:06