At New York Comic Con 2025, the panel for HBO Max’s upcoming series IT: Welcome to Derry revealed new details about the Stephen King IT prequel mystery, promising to illuminate why Pennywise remains tethered to the town of Derry despite having the ability to roam freely. Executive producer and director Andy Muschietti teased crucial answers that deepen the story beyond previous adaptations, heightening anticipation for the show’s release.
The prequel series will feature Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as Pennywise, surrounded by a fresh ensemble cast including Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, and Chris Chalk. The first season will explore the enigmatic events of The Black Spot, a mysterious prelude to Stephen King’s original novel, integrating Dick Halloran and the broader macroverse into the storyline.
Understanding Pennywise’s Unyielding Connection to Derry
During the panel, Muschietti focused on unraveling one of the most perplexing elements of the Pennywise legend: why the creature remains confined to Derry. He explained that the series
“considers questions like why Pennywise sticks to Derry when it can go anywhere, and why does It choose to take this form of Pennywise?”
This insight addresses longstanding fan speculation about the entity’s motivations and ties to the town.
Stephen King’s novel provides some context by describing Derry as a “thin spot” between the macroverse and Earth, making it a natural gateway and the entry point for Pennywise’s arrival. Nonetheless, this explanation does not clarify why the creature does not simply leave Derry. The novel suggests It has influence beyond the town’s borders, demonstrated by the enduring impact on the Losers Club as adults, hinting that It’s powers are not geographically limited.
Muschietti clarified at the panel that Pennywise is not trapped but chooses to remain in Derry by design. The show intends to explain both the location’s significance and the reason Pennywise adopts this particular form in the town, promising answers fans have long awaited about the antagonist’s true nature.
A Fresh Take: Pennywise’s Origins Take Center Stage
Following the release of the IT: Welcome to Derry trailer, some viewers feared the series would merely retread familiar ground by focusing on a new group of children encountering Pennywise. However, Muschietti emphasized the series’ distinct purpose: to reveal hidden mysteries about Pennywise and the town itself, rather than solely retelling the Losers Club story.
At San Diego Comic-Con earlier in 2025, Muschietti promised the show would illuminate much about Pennywise’s background. He reiterated these intentions at New York Comic Con, stating firmly,
“This is the story of how Pennywise became Pennywise.”
This positions the prequel as a unique narrative that explores the origins and essence of the terrifying entity, rather than recreating previous plotlines.
The Ensemble Cast Amplifying the Story
Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise, bringing a chilling continuity to the character. The cast also includes Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, and Chris Chalk, who contribute to the new dynamic in the show’s portrayal of Derry’s dark past. With a strong ensemble and a focus on lore expansion, the series aims to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
IT: Welcome to Derry is poised to become one of Stephen King’s most significant releases in recent years, blending horror with fresh narrative depth. By resolving key mysteries about why Pennywise remains in Derry and deepening the mythology surrounding the creature’s origin, the show will likely influence the future of King’s universe adaptations and spark renewed interest in the franchise’s expanding macroverse.
