The upcoming HBO series titled “Welcome to Derry,” set for release in October 2025, serves as a prequel to the films “It” and “It: Chapter Two” directed by Andy Muschietti. This series delves into the interlude chapters of Stephen King’s novel with the same title, offering fans another chilling visit to the eerie New England town and Pennywise, played by Bill Skarsgard. Interestingly, “Welcome to Derry” might not just be a follow-up for the two “It” movies; it could potentially establish a shared universe in Stephen King’s works, given appearances of Dick Hallorann and references to Shawshank Penitentiary in the series’ trailers.
Prior to the Marvel Cinematic Universe establishing the “shared universe” concept popular today in movies and TV for IP integration, Stephen King was weaving a literary world with interconnected locations and characters. In almost every one of his novels, there’s a nod or reference to other works by the author. For instance, Ace Merrill from ‘The Body’ (known as ‘Stand by Me’) appears in ‘Needful Things’, while Randal Flagg from ‘The Stand’ makes an appearance in ‘Hearts in Atlantis’. Collectively, all of King’s novels and short stories form a multiverse that fans have labeled the “Kingverse”.
In the realm of Stephen King’s works, Castle Rock is often considered the main hub, yet Derry, a quaint town in Maine, holds a strong second place. Derry significantly features in at least eight of King’s stories, such as “It,” “Bag of Bones,” and “Secret Window, Secret Garden.” Furthermore, it is referenced in over three times that many other works. Moreover, several novels by King, like “The Tommyknockers” and parts of “Pet Semetary,” are set near Derry. Essentially, whether it’s a character or something else from the Stephen King universe, they could potentially appear in “It: Welcome to Derry.
It: Welcome to Derry, Being Set in the ’60s Could Limit Potential Crossovers
The initial series of “Welcome to Derry” takes place during the 1960s, making it unlikely for characters from later stories such as Patrick Danville from “Insomnia” to appear. Despite this limited timeline, there are still ample chances for connections with Stephen King’s other works. For instance, Jake Epping, a time traveler from “11/22/63,” might visit Derry during his trips back in time – and he has already done so.
In the novel “It,” published in 2011, Stephen King introduced characters Jake, Beverly Marsh, and Richie Tozier (from “It”) for a brief reappearance, fitting perfectly into the storyline of “It: Welcome to Derry.” Another character from King’s works that might join the cast is Alan Pangborn, who appeared in “Needful Things” and “The Dark Half.” In the timeline of “Welcome to Derry,” Pangborn would be a child, making it plausible for him to visit nearby Derry with his parents. Another Castle Rock law enforcement officer, George Bannerman (from “Cujo” and “The Dead Zone”), could also potentially make an appearance in the story.
Indeed, a variety of characters hailing from Stephen King’s numerous novels set primarily in and around Maine, such as Dolores Claiborne and Salem’s Lot, might potentially feature or be mentioned in Welcome to Derry. However, it’s important to note that this discussion only pertains to human characters. For those well-versed in Stephen King’s work, it’s worth mentioning that Pennywise isn’t the author’s sole supernatural creation; there are numerous other eerie entities populating his stories as well.
The Series Could Feature Supernatural Creatures Similar to It
In a touch of creative flair, “It: Welcome to Derry” might encompass an array of eerie entities and peculiar characters such as the Men in Yellow Coats, Little Bald Doctors, and even Stephen King’s most renowned antagonist, Randall Flagg. Besides Flagg, characters like Roland Deschaine from “The Dark Tower” could make appearances, considering its role as a central hub in King’s multiverse that spawns his other works. After all, everything revolves around the beam.
As a devoted fan, I must say that the movie adaptations of “It” have certainly taken creative liberties with the original timeline, shifting it from the late ’50s/’80s to the late ’80s/’2010s. The cinematic universe of “It: Welcome to Derry” is free to rewrite any established Stephen King lore to create its unique multiverse. However, it’s important to note that the cinematic universe is not bound by the rules of the “It” literary universe. Yet, rights issues can present a whole different challenge altogether.
Ever since Stephen King’s debut novel, “Carrie” (1974), was transformed into a successful film two years after its publication, adaptations of his works have been highly sought-after. Consequently, numerous studios have created Stephen King adaptations over the years, leaving some interconnected stories in a state of uncertainty. For example, the previously mentioned “11/22/63” was turned into a Hulu miniseries nearly a decade ago, which means that while a Jake Epping cameo could fit well narratively, it might not be practical from a legal standpoint.
The creative direction for the world of “It: Welcome to Derry” will largely depend on what elements from Stephen King’s works that HBO owns the rights to. Notably, showrunner Mike Flanagan is still working diligently on his anticipated TV adaptation of “The Dark Tower” series, and given that Amazon has dropped the project, it’s possible he could secure a deal with HBO instead. If this were to happen, characters like Roland and Randall might be introduced in “Welcome to Derry”.
In essence, given that characters such as Dick Hallorann are scheduled to appear in the series, it’s no longer a matter of if the storyline of “It: Welcome to Derry” will intersect with Stephen King’s other works, but rather the degree of this intersection. The question arises whether the series is aiming for a shared universe on par with Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), or if these references to other King stories will primarily serve as enjoyable yet insignificant Easter Eggs.
We’ll find out when It: Welcome to Derry premieres on HBO in October.
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2025-08-11 23:45