Stephen King is well known for making cameo appearances in film adaptations of his work, though he once resisted joining the cast of the 2019 film It Chapter Two, fearing his involvement might doom the movie’s success. Despite his hesitation rooted in a personal superstition of being a box office jinx, King ultimately agreed to appear, and the film went on to perform strongly at the box office, dispelling the notion that his cameos bring bad luck.
The origin and role of Stephen King’s cameo in It Chapter Two
In It Chapter Two, King plays the owner of an antique shop called Secondhand Rose, who interacts with James McAvoy’s character, adult Bill Denbrough. Screenwriter Gary Dauberman crafted this role specifically for King, inspired by the author’s unique presence. Dauberman explained that he wrote the role into the script with King in mind, describing it as “this guy, the shopkeeper,” who was meant to resemble King himself.
The brief scene features Denbrough discovering his childhood bike and offering to sign one of his books in exchange for it. King’s shopkeeper dismisses the offer, criticizing the way Denbrough ended his latest novel. This moment serves as a playful nod to the criticism King has frequently received regarding the endings of his own books. King has described the role as a “huge pleasure,” relishing the chance to poke fun at himself in a way that reflects readers’ frustrations over the years.
Originally, director Andy Muschietti intended to expand on this cameo with a flashback showing a young Bill Denbrough meeting a younger version of the shopkeeper, portrayed by King’s son, writer Joe Hill. Unfortunately, this flashback was cut due to filming time constraints, so King appeared only in his present-day role. Despite his initial reluctance, King followed through with the cameo, even though he had tried to avoid filming it.
Stephen King’s superstition about cameos and how it was challenged
When approached to appear in It Chapter Two, King initially searched for reasons not to participate. One of his first queries was about the filming location’s distance from his home in Maine. Since the shoot took place nearby in Port Hope, Canada, he could not use travel distance as a justification to decline. Instead, he warned director Andy Muschietti that he believed himself to be a jinx whose cameos had brought bad luck to past projects. Muschietti recalled King’s words:
“He said, ‘Actually, you have to know that I’m a jinx. Apparently all the movies that he was in with a cameo ultimately bombed. He wanted to warn me. I said, ‘I don’t think we need to worry about that. We can avert it. We can lift the spell.'”
— Andy Muschietti, Director
This superstition reflected King’s perception of his involvement in films, but in reality, not all movies featuring him had failed commercially. King’s cameos span many adaptations, such as his role as a minister in 1989’s Pet Sematary and a brief appearance as Gage Creed in the 1997 miniseries of The Shining. For instance, Pet Sematary grossed $57.4 million on an $11 million budget, marking it a commercial success. Conversely, films like 1996’s Thinner – which included King in a short cameo as a pharmacist – earned more modest returns, which likely fueled King’s belief in a curse.
The impact of King’s involvement on the It franchise and his legacy
The success of It Chapter Two, which grossed $473 million worldwide against a $79 million budget, stands as evidence that King’s presence on-screen did not harm the film’s prospects. On the contrary, his cameo allowed King to humorously acknowledge a criticism frequently aimed at him, while also disproving the idea that his roles bring bad luck.
King’s participation in this film was especially notable since director Andy Muschietti has continued to build on the It universe with projects like the HBO prequel series It: Welcome to Derry. The TV show, which followed the events of It Chapter Two, received King’s blessing and input but did not include his on-screen appearance. Perhaps King felt his brief cameo in the film was enough involvement for the franchise at that time.
The episode underscores how personal superstitions can influence creative decisions, even for a writer as prolific and respected as Stephen King. By overcoming his hesitation and breaking the cycle of “bad luck,” King added another layer of connection between the author and his cinematic world, strengthening the bond fans feel with his stories.
Looking ahead, King’s cameo in It Chapter Two may inspire future adaptations to feature him in similar roles, assuring audiences that his involvement promises more charm than curse. The episode also demonstrates how an author’s mythos can intertwine with the reception and marketing of film projects, creating unique narratives both on and off screen.
