With the premiere of It: Welcome to Derry just a week away, fans of Stephen King’s universe have ample opportunity to revisit the previous It films and gain deeper insight into the prequel’s intricate mythology. The series will transport viewers back to the infamous town of Derry, unraveling more of the sinister history that surrounds Pennywise and his reign of terror.
Premiere Date and Setting of It: Welcome to Derry
It: Welcome to Derry will launch on HBO Max on October 26 as a prequel to the 2017 and 2019 It movies. Taking place in the early 1960s, the show chronicles Pennywise’s ascent and the struggle of a new group of children striving to stop him long before the original Losers Club’s story began. This setting offers a fresh yet connected glimpse into the town’s sinister past.
Andy Muschietti, who directed the original It films as well as Mama, returns to helm this series, with Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as the terrifying Pennywise. Even though the timeline is set a generation earlier, the prequel maintains close canonical ties to the movies, enhancing the broader narrative of Stephen King’s saga.
The storyline focuses on Mike Hanlon’s family—the Hanlons—illuminating their experiences in Derry decades before Mike’s birth. This approach not only connects important plot threads across the franchise but also exposes the everyday evils festering within the small town’s fabric.
Mike Hanlon is notably the only Black member of the original Losers Club, and the series examines how Pennywise draws power from societal ills like ignorance, prejudice, and hate. The racism and harassment faced by the Hanlon family upon settling in Derry become sources of strength for Pennywise’s malevolence, amplifying his hold on the town.
Why Watching It and Its Sequel Is Essential Before the Prequel
Although It: Welcome to Derry delves into Pennywise’s earlier acts in the town, it does not include the Losers Club, since it is set a generation before their time. This means viewers won’t receive a complete explanation of what Pennywise truly is or how he can be defeated from the prequel alone.
Fortunately, the original two films provide a clearer, accessible foundation without needing to dive into the extensive 1,000-page novel. The movies elucidate Pennywise’s origins, his supernatural powers, vulnerabilities, and the tactical approaches the Losers Club uses against him. In particular, it is Mike Hanlon’s discovery and postulation in It: Chapter 2 that details how to ultimately defeat the entity.
For viewers of the prequel, this foreknowledge is bittersweet; since Pennywise is only decisively beaten at the close of the second film, the audience understands that the children portrayed in the series face an uphill, potentially tragic battle. Their efforts may delay the evil, but they cannot overturn the unfolding fate established by the movies.
Connecting It: Welcome to Derry with the Existing Films
If the prequel remains true to its franchise roots, it will reinforce its links to the previous movies in multiple significant ways. One major aspect is expanding the backstory of Mike Hanlon’s family, giving them greater depth and screen presence than they received before.
Secondly, the series aims to shed more light on Pennywise’s roots, likely clarifying how long he has been on Earth, why he confines his terror mostly to Derry, and whether his malevolent reach extends beyond the town’s borders. This exploration may reveal important details about the creature’s supernatural limits and motivations.
Moreover, It: Welcome to Derry broadens the Stephen King universe by linking characters and storylines from other King works. While the earlier films contained subtle references to King’s wider canon, the show explicitly incorporates elements that connect to different stories. The military presence in Derry hints at ties to Dreamcatcher, while the character of Dick Hallorann, portrayed by Chris Chalk, ties the narrative to The Shining and Doctor Sleep. Through these connections, the series effectively unites multiple King narratives into a shared fictional universe.
Principal Cast Members of It: Welcome to Derry
- Bill Skarsgård returns to play Pennywise, the sinister entity haunting Derry.
- Taylour Paige stars as Charlotte Hanlon, the matriarch of the Hanlon family.
- Jovan Adepo portrays Leroy Hanlon, adding depth to the family’s story.
- Chris Chalk takes on the role of Dick Hallorann, linking the series to other Stephen King tales.
These actors bring new dimensions to the cast while seamlessly connecting the show to the larger King mythology.
The arrival of It: Welcome to Derry promises to deepen the lore surrounding Pennywise and the town’s dark past, continuing the legacy set by the acclaimed films. Fans should revisit the previous movies to fully grasp the stakes and understand the origins of the horror they will soon witness. Beyond its ties to the known stories, the prequel also opens avenues to incorporate and expand the Stephen King universe in unexpected and thrilling ways.
