HBO Max officially ordered a prequel series based on the ‘It’ movies directed by Andy Muschietti, titled Welcome to Derry.
The news was released this Thursday, and several personalities involved in the production of the program issued statements through Variety to express their enthusiasm for the show.
The two films, the second of which was marketed with nightmare-inducing posters, are based on Stephen King’s famous novel of the same name.
Although the finer details of the plot are withheld from the public, a released synopsis provides a bit of insight into the project.
“Set in the world of Stephen King’s It universe, Welcome to Derry builds on King’s novel It and expands on the vision established by filmmaker Andy Muschietti in the It and It Chapter Two feature films,” it reads.
Back for more: A prequel series based on the ‘It’ movies directed by Andy Muschietti, titled Welcome to Derry, has been officially ordered on HBO Max
The director of both ‘It’ films, Andy Muschietti, as well as his sister Barbara, expressed that they were eager to expand on the story they started with the films.
“It is an epic story that contains multitudes, far beyond what we could explore in our films. We can’t wait to share the depths of Steve’s novel, in all his heart, humor, humanity and horror,” they said.
The brother-sister duo came up with the show’s story, and Andy will direct several of its episodes.
Its author also spoke to the media outlet to show his enthusiasm for the project.
King said: “I’m excited for the story of Derry, Maine’s most haunted town, to continue, and I’m glad Andy Muschietti is going to oversee the terrifying festivities… Red balloons everywhere!”
HBO Max’s head of original content, Sarah Aubrey, released a statement to discuss how the show’s setting would be further developed in the project.
“This prequel will expand the narrative canvas of It and take fans deeper into the terrifying and fascinating city of Derry,” he said.
It is based on King’s novel, which was originally published to great acclaim in 1986.
Excitement: The director of both ‘It’ films, Muschietti, as well as his sister Barbara, expressed that they really wanted to expand the story they started with the films
Chapter One: Muschietti’s first film, starring Bill Skarsgard, Finn Wolfhard and Sophia Lillis, due for release in 2017
Chapter Two: The second part of the series, which featured performances by Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader and James McAvoy, premiered two years later.
Source material: The two films, the second of which was marketed with nightmare-inducing posters, are based on Stephen King’s famous novel of the same name; James McAvoy seen in It Chapter Two (2019)
The book was first adapted into a highly acclaimed two-part television miniseries, starring Tim Curry as the scary clown, in 1990.
The novel was later the basis for a two-part film series, with the first, starring Bill Skarsgard, Finn Wolfhard, and Sophia Lillis, released in 2017.
The second part of the series, which featured performances by Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader and James McAvoy, premiered two years later.
Both films received generally positive responses from critics and were box office successes.
The development of Welcome to Derry was previously revealed to the public last March.
Showrunners Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane were later attached to the project in November.
Welcome To Derry currently does not have a scheduled release date.
Gearing up: The development of Welcome to Derry was previously revealed to the public last March