A new trailer for IT: Welcome to Derry has arrived, thrilling fans eager to explore the Stephen King cinematic universe. The preview drops several notable Easter eggs and elements true to Pennywise’s complex backstory, offering deeper insight into the story’s mythology.
Hidden Easter Eggs and Faithful Story Details in the Trailer
Within the short trailer, viewers can spot two signature references for Stephen King devotees. One features a truck transporting arrested men emblazoned with “Shawshank Prison,” a direct nod to the prison setting of The Shawshank Redemption. Another Easter egg appears as a newspaper article about a young boy’s disappearance from the Capitol Theater, a real Burlington, Iowa landmark that closed in 1977 after screening King’s Carrie.
The film’s cast includes Dick Hallorann, the renowned chef from The Shining, tying together multiple King stories. According to the novel’s lore, Hallorann established The Black Spot bar, a haven for Black soldiers that was devastated by a white nationalist group. Using his psychic talent shown in The Shining, he rescued survivors including Will Hanlon, who is Mike Hanlon’s father—the latter portrayed by Chosen Jacobs in the film.
Exploring the Hanlon Family and Their Role in Derry
In Welcome to Derry, LeRoy Hanlon (played by Jovan Adepo) and Charlotte Hanlon (Taylour Pagie) are featured as Mike Hanlon’s parents, relocating from a military base to Derry. This lineage connects the story’s present to its broader military and social context, grounding the supernatural elements in a realistic backdrop.
Pennywise’s Appearances and Key Symbolism
The trailer also reveals a striking black-and-white photo of a man resembling Pennywise, identified as Bob Gray, one of the clown’s human disguises in the novel. Additionally, Pennywise’s origin is visually suggested with a meteor striking Earth, hinting at the entity’s cosmic nature. However, the trailer leaves uncertain whether Pennywise’s monstrous spider form will appear in this adaptation.
Release Plans and Anticipated Impact
It: Welcome to Derry is slated for release on HBO and HBO Max on October 25. This new installment contributes to the expanding Stephen King cinematic universe, weaving together fan-favorite stories and characters in fresh, interconnected ways. Audiences can anticipate additional upcoming Stephen King movie and TV projects that continue to explore his vast fictional world.
