Unveiling the 'Welcome to Derry' Prequel Series: Exploring Plotlines and Pennywise Intricacies
Get ready for a chilling prequel series on Max! 'Welcome to Derry' unveils the enigmatic origins of Stephen King's infamous killer clown, Pennywise With a star-studded cast and thrilling plot, fans can't wait to be immersed in the dark world of Derry Don't miss the spine-tingling connection to the film franchise!
Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise. Brooke Palmer/Warner Bros.
Pennywise the Dancing Clown is set to make his debut on the small screen, following his original introduction in Stephen King's 1986 novel It. The novel follows seven children who are terrorized by an evil entity in the form of a dancing clown. Throughout the story, readers are given insight into Pennywise's numerous periods of terror, as the monster only reappears every 27 years before vanishing once more.
In 1990, ABC transformed the eerie tale into a two-part miniseries, starring Tim Curry as the malevolent clown.
Reflecting on his performance to Fangoria Magazine in 2021, Curry shared, “I do away with quite a few people here and there, one way or another. But Pennywise turns out to not be very physical, in reality - it's mostly mental cruelty. What's intriguing about him is that a clown is typically seen as a friendly, joyful figure, and Pennywise doesn't embody any of these qualities. I constantly think of him as a smile turned sinister - that's how I envision him."
The source material was reimagined in both It and It Chapter Two, featuring Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise.
In an exclusive interview with We in 2017, Skarsgård praised Tim Curry's incredible performance, calling it a faithful interpretation of Stephen King's character in the book. He expressed his desire to bring something new and unique to the role in the new adaptation, emphasizing the importance of appreciating both performances separately.
The actor disclosed that he had doubts about his performance and the expectations placed on him after landing the role. Despite his mixed feelings, he was ultimately grateful for the opportunity and didn't want to disappoint the director and producer who had trusted in him. After the film franchise ended, Max revealed plans to create a prequel telling Pennywise’s origin story. Author Stephen King expressed excitement for the continuation of the story and praised the involvement of director Andy Muschietti and producer Barbara in overseeing the project.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about Welcome to Derry‘s debut on Max:
When Will ‘Welcome to Derry’ Start Streaming on Max?
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The original release date for the series was scheduled for October 2024. However, HBO and Max CEO Casey Bloys has since announced that Welcome to Derry will be postponed to 2025 as a result of delays caused by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Who Stars in ‘Welcome to Derry’?
Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, Taylour Paige, James Remar, Stephen Rider and Madeleine Stowe are set to star in the upcoming series.
What Story Can Fans Expect From ‘Welcome to Derry’?
The creators of the show stated in February 2023 that as teenagers, they would take turns reading chapters of Stephen King’s It until the thick paperback fell to pieces. They expressed that It is an epic story that contains multitudes, far beyond what they could explore in their It movies. They conveyed their excitement to share the depths of Steve’s novel, in all its heart, humor, humanity, and horror.
Who Is Playing Pennywise?
Brooke Palmer/Warner Bros.
After portraying the terrifying clown in the It films, Skarsgård has confirmed that he will not be returning for the prequel. In a March 2023 interview with YouTube series Jake’s Takes, he stated, "As of now, I’m not currently involved with it. If someone else gets to do it, my advice would be: Do it on your own. Make it your own. Have fun with it. What I found pleasurable about that character is how abstract he was."
Will the Prequel Series Connect Back to the Film Franchise?
Welcome to Derry was created by Andy, known for directing both It and It Chapter Two. He is slated to direct several episodes of the series, which is set in the past. His sister (and It producer) Barbara is also part of the project.
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What Hints Have Fans Gotten About Pennywise’s Origin Story?
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In the first It film, Ben (Jeremy Ray Taylor) describes the origins of Derry as a beaver trapping camp. According to him, all 91 people who signed the Derry Township charter vanished during the winter, leaving behind only a trail of bloodied clothes leading to the old well house.
Has There Been a Glimpse at the Series?
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In December 2023, Max unveiled a sneak peek of the streaming service's upcoming content. The preview of Welcome to Derry showcased the main friend group and teased the return of Pennywise.
