HBO has given a straight-to-series order for Welcome to Derry, a prequel series based on Stephen King’s It!
Andy Muschietti, the director of It and It: Chapter Two, is on board the project along with Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Andy Muschieti will direct multiple episodes, the including the first, which will be written by Fuchs and based on a story by the trio.
Fuchs is also serving as co-showrunner on Welcome to Derry alongside Brad Caleb Kane. Plot details are scarce at this time but the series is said to “expand the vision” of the films.
“As teenagers, we took turns reading chapters of Stephen King’s It until the thick paperback fell to pieces,” the Muschiettis said in a statement. “It is an epic story that contains multitudes, far beyond what we could explore in our It movies. We can’t wait to share the depths of Steve’s novel, in all its heart, humor, humanity and horror.”
“To be able to return to the world of my all-time favorite horror novel and help build upon the singularly brilliant cinematic universe created by Andy and Barbara is more than the opportunity of a lifetime, it’s a dream come true — or, maybe more appropriately, a nightmare,” Fuchs said.
First published in 1986, Stephen King’s It tells the story of a group of friends known as the Losers’ Club who come to realize that their town of Derry, Maine is home to a child-eating monster known as Pennywise. After battling Pennywise as children, the Losers’ Club reunites 27 years later to get rid of the monster once and for all.
“I’m excited that the story of Derry, Maine’s most haunted city, is continuing, and I’m glad Andy Muschietti is going to be overseeing the frightening festivities, along with a brain trust including his talented sister, Barbara,” King said of the project. “Red balloons all around!”
Words: Samantha McLaren (@themeatispeople)
