The horror classic IT is making its way to HBO Max, but not in the form we all know and love. The streamer just ordered a new prequel based on the the famous Stephen King novel, meaning we’ll finally get that Pennywise the Clown origin story that’s mentioned in passing but not wholly explored in the book and movies.
One of the best things about IT was Pennywise’s backstory – it’s a shapeshifting being that feeds on people’s fears and lives in the area the fictional town of Derry was built on. It hibernates for about every 30 years or so and wakes to feed. The monster is also a trans-dimensional being from space that crash landed on earth.
There’s more but as you can see there’s a pretty deep backstory that if done right, has a lot of potential. Combine that with the fact that IT is one of the most beloved stories King’s ever done, and you have a no brainer.
Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti, the brains behind the the very successful film IT, and Jason Fuchs, who helmed IT Chapter Two, will all be involved in the project, per Deadline. The show’s working title right now is Welcome to Derry and Andy will direct the first episode and a number of others.
“As teenagers, we took turns reading chapters of Stephen King’s IT until the thick paperback fell to pieces,” the Muschiettis said. “IT is an epic story that contains multitudes, far beyond what we could explore in our IT movies. We can’t wait to share the depths of Steve’s novel, in all its heart, humor, humanity and horror.”
King also commented on the news, saying he was “excited that the story of Derry, Maine’s most haunted city, is continuing.”
“I’m glad Andy Muschietti is going to be overseeing the frightening festivities, along with a brain trust including his talented sister, Barbara. Red balloons all around!”
Everyone involved seems to be really excited about the prospect of the show, and that’s always encouraging. Fuchs said IT was his favorite horror story ever.
“To be able to return to the world of my all-time favorite horror novel and help build upon the singularly brilliant cinematic universe created by Andy and Barbara is more than the opportunity of a lifetime, it’s a dream come true — or, maybe more appropriately, a nightmare,” Fuchs said.
Sarah Aubrey, the head of original content at HBO Max, said the show will “expand the IT storytelling canvas and bring fans deeper into the terrifying, mesmerizing town of Derry.”
We’ll definitely keep you posted on this very exciting news.