Movie bloggers the world over weep. It looks like we’ll all be having to confusingly write the word “it” into sentences as we talk about It again. The Ankler is reporting that HBO Max is developing a prequel series to WB’s hit horror films It… or really, one hit horror film and a sequel that made money but was not as successful. The working title is reportedly Welcome to Derry.
The report states that things are very early but that the It prequel series would potentially explore the origins of Pennywise the Clown and the curse that befell the town of Derry before the Losers finally ended It’s reign of terror. However, it isn’t clear if the show has even been greenlit yet, though there is reportedly a writers room already collected. Just how closely the series will be tied to the films is also a mystery as there’s no word if anyone attached to or starring in the films would show up in the show. If they did, it would really only be for a cameo considering the birth of the evil in Derry occurred well before any of the main characters were alive.
For HBO Max it does seem like a no-brainer to expand on the Stephen King IP, even by going the prequel route with It. While the second film, It Chapter Two, didn’t grab the cultural clout that the first movie did, the two movies together grossed $1.17 billion worldwide and recognizable franchises are what streaming services are built on these days. It would also give the streamer a unique opportunity with an established horror franchise that just had recent success, instead of trying to reboot a franchise.
