After two movies that collectively pulled in over $1 billion at the box office, it looks like Pennywise is headed back to the small screen with a brand new prequel series project.
Over on The Ankler today, entertainment reporter Jeff Sneider breaks the massive news that a series tentatively titled “Welcome to Derry” is in development at HBO Max!
Sneider notes, “The series would likely explore the origin story of Pennywise the Clown as well as the dawn of the 27-year curse that haunts the small Maine town.”
The report goes on to state that while the project hasn’t been officially greenlit, Sneider’s sources are telling him that a writer’s room “is being/has been convened for the project.”
Head over to The Ankler to learn more.
Variety adds some info of their own, “The series will begin in the 1960s in the time leading up to the events of It: Part One, the 2017 film based on the Stephen King horror novel. The story is also said to include the origin story of Pennywise the Clown.” Variety also notes that Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti are back on board to produce the series.
Published in 1986, Stephen King’s massive novel was of course first turned into a mini-series in 1990, with Tim Curry playing the role later played by Bill Skarsgård in the movies.
The tale centers on the town of Derry, Maine, where a group of friends called the Losers’ Club battle Pennywise the killer clown first as kids, and then 27 years later as adults.
“Welcome to Derry” would be the first time any adaptation has expanded beyond the confines of King’s classic novel, which is pretty exciting for fans of the terror tale.
Stay tuned for more as we learn it. Or subscribe to our weekly Stephen King podcast, The Losers’ Club, who will no doubt be covering this news as it comes to fruition.
Below, you can stream their review of the 2017 blockbuster.
