HBO Max Is Developing Prequel Series to 'It' Film Franchise

By Jess Smith First Posted: Mar 30, 2022 05:04 AM EDT

HBO Max is reportedly working on the prequel series of "It," the Stephen King cosmic horror story adapted into a highly-successful movie duology.

The new prequel, tentatively titled "Welcome to Derry," would likely focus on the origin story of Pennywise the Clown and the start of a 27-year curse that has haunted the small Maine town.

According to The Ankler, there is no word yet if anyone from the "It" movie will make an appearance. It was still unclear whether or not the show had been approved, but the outlet noted that a writer's room has been convened for the project.

Andy Muschietti Reported to Direct the First Episode of 'It' Series at HBO Max

In recent years, prequels have been particularly popular at HBO Max. The "House of the Dragon," HBO Max's planned Game of Thrones prequel, just finished filming, while "The Batman's" Gotham PD series has "evolved" into a story about Arkham Asylum instead.

Variety reported that a series on the Bene Gesserit from "Dune" is also in the works at the streamer, among several other film-based projects.

Andy Muschietti, who directed "It: Part One" and 2019's "It: Part Two," has said, "there is a whole mythology to the book" that deserves to be explored.

Muschietti was reportedly attached to executive produce the series, together with Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs. Sources told Variety that Fuchs was writing the script, and Muschietti would direct the first episode should the project go to series.

Representatives from HBO Max and Warner Bros. Television have yet to comment about the project.

Upon release, the two "It" films grossed over $1.1 billion at the global box office.

Why We Never Saw Pennywise's Arch-Enemy in 'It' Movies

The scope of Stephen King's novels is so vast that both times it has been adapted to screen in the U.S. The story has been split into multiple parts.

But even Muschietti gave viewers a two-part feature film adaptation as it was insufficient to convey everything. Some book elements were left out in the adaptation, including Pennywise's baffling arch-nemesis.

Somehow, within King's fiction about a child-killing clown, the author went all out and threw a giant turtle into the mix.

According to Looper, in the original novel, Bill meets a Maturin, a god-like being with the appearance of a giant turtle who created the universe. Bill's friends, known as Losers Club, won the first round against the ancient, intergalactic evil clown. Thanks to Maturin's guidance.

According to screenwriter Gary Dauberman, who co-wrote the 2017's "It" and solely wrote the movie's follow-up in 2019, he was trying to wrap his head around a giant turtle floating through space and then Bill standing in front of it.

But looking at a cinematic standpoint, Dauberman reveals he "had a hard time." Adding a kaiju-sized creature to the mix would have also been a difficult task for Muschietti.

That being said, even though Maturin does not make an appearance, there are several references to his character throughout the Losers Club's quest.

In the 2017 film "It," Jaeden Lieberher, who played Bill, notices a turtle beneath the sea while swimming. There was also a moment when Bill found a Lego turtle in Georgie's room following his younger brother's death.

In "It Chapter Two," Muschietti also threw in a hint when Ben returns to school and passes a turtle on a teacher's desk.

Brief they may be, these little nods express admiration for one of Stephen King's biggest and strangest creations.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

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