"Down here, down here, down here... with the clown!"
IT: Welcome to Derry is set to premiere just in time for Halloween on October 26, and HBO Max has now released a final red-band trailer, giving us our first proper look at Pennywise, who will once again be played by Bill Skarsgård.
There was speculation that this prequel series may introduce a new take on the ancient shape-shifting entity, and while the terrifying demon is sure to take different forms over the course of the series, it looks like he'll mostly be staying in Dancing Clown mode.
“Bill and I were fantasizing about the character of Bob Gray and an origin story,” Andy Muschietti tells Deadline. “There was an enthusiasm to go back and explore the complexities of this character.”
"We never did TV before, but there’s a bunch of TV shows that mean a lot to me and I appreciate the format, having a bigger canvas to tell a story, and the impact that has on audiences,” he continues. “Our love for the book, and the vacuum created by all these mysteries and question marks in it, mean you end up, as a reader, not understanding everything, including the mystery of IT. What is IT? What does IT want?”
Check out the new trailer below.
IT Parts 1 and 2 filmmakers Andy Muschietti and Barbara Muschietti are on board along with Jason Fuchs (IT: Chapter Two). Andy will also direct multiple instalments of the series, including the first episode.
The show is expected to serve as a prequel story that will “expand the vision” of the movies. We know that Pennywise terrorised the town of Derry prior to the events of King's story, so the Muschiettis have plenty of room to manoeuvre here.
“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 when the project was first announced. “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.”
“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,” added author Stephen King. “Red balloons all around!”
IT: Welcome to Derry also stars Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso, and is set to premiere this October.