Despite having authored more than 60 novels during his career, including many sequels to his horror classics, Stephen King has made it clear he does not intend to write a sequel to his famous 1986 novel, IT. Speaking in a 2013 Reddit Ask Me Anything interview, King expressed his strong aversion to returning to the terrifying character Pennywise, stating,
“I don’t think I could bear to deal with Pennywise again. Too scary, even for me.”
The novel IT revolves around seven children in the town of Derry who face a sinister entity exploiting their individual fears. The story has transcended the literary world through various adaptations, including a 1990 television miniseries featuring Tim Curry’s iconic portrayal of the evil clown and a recent film series starring Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise.
Adaptations and Continued Popularity
The 2017 movie version of IT became the highest-grossing horror film ever, followed by a sequel, IT Chapter Two, released in 2019. These films depict the neighborhood children’s courageous stand against the malevolent presence in Derry. Adding to the franchise’s legacy, HBO launched IT: Welcome to Derry, a prequel series set 27 years before the events of the original story. The first season, which premiered in 2024, explores Pennywise’s origins and wrapped up on December 14.
The Complex Impact on Actors Involved
Tim Curry, who famously played Pennywise in the 1990 adaptation, revealed in his 2025 memoir Vagabond some of the personal challenges he faced while portraying the character. He admitted,
“Not quite to the extent that I literally couldn’t look at myself in the mirror, as has often been reported, but I certainly didn’t delight in my reflection.”
Reflecting on his decision to take the role, Curry wrote,
“In any case, the thought of embodying this killer clown made me feel simultaneously uncomfortable and like I would be pushing myself to take it on. So, with much uncertainty, the type of which confirmed I was still attempting to embrace my contradictions, I replied: ‘Yes, I’m interested.’”
The Enduring Influence of Stephen King’s IT
While fans and audiences continue to engage with Pennywise through films and series, King’s refusal to continue the story highlights his cautious approach to revisiting his darkest creation. This reluctance adds a layer of tension around the future of the franchise and suggests that while new adaptations may emerge, the original creator himself is unwilling to further explore the terrifying clown’s story in writing. With ongoing adaptations like IT: Welcome to Derry expanding the universe, the legacy of IT remains alive without a new novel sequel from Stephen King.
I am Stephen King – novelist & executive producer on UNDER THE DOME – ask me anything!
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