Beyond simply introducing the events leading up to Andy Muschietti’s films, the series Welcome to Derry has cleverly connected various stories within Stephen King’s universe. It subtly references other King works, like The Shawshank Redemption, to build a richer history for the fictional state of Maine. A key element in this connection is the character of Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk), whose backstory is explored in detail. Welcome to Derry shows us Hallorann’s early life, including his first encounter with Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) and his attempts to control his psychic powers. By revealing Hallorann’s life decades before he guides Danny Torrance in The Shining, the series adds a layer of sadness and complexity to his story, making audiences eager to learn more.
Warning: Spoilers below for IT: Welcome to Derry season finale
Chris Chalk’s captivating performance is the main reason Halloran’s story works so well. He delivers a complex and subtle take on the character, creating a unique portrayal while still paying respect to Scatman Crothers’ famous version. Chalk brilliantly shows how lonely and draining it is for Halloran to have the Shine, both physically and emotionally. The first season ends with Halloran leaving the Air Force and deciding to move to London to work at a hotel – a choice that sets him on a path toward the Overlook Hotel, and leaves a large gap in his life story that viewers are excited to see explored. Thankfully, the groundwork for telling that story already exists, and the show’s success suggests Warner Bros. should revive the project without delay.
Mike Flanagan Almost Made a Dick Halloran Prequel Movie
Mike Flanagan, the director known for horror hits like Doctor Sleep, once planned a prequel movie focusing on the character Dick Hallorann. The film, titled Hallorann, would have begun with an older Hallorann (played by Carl Lumbly) reminiscing about his life, then shown his younger years. Flanagan envisioned a psychological horror story exploring what it was like for a Black man with psychic abilities – known as the Shine – growing up in 20th-century America. Interestingly, his script included a young Dick Hallorann encountering Pennywise, a connection that the recent IT: Welcome to Derry series has now confirmed as part of the established story.
Mike Flanagan explained that he had a strong vision for a Dick Hallorann movie, envisioning it as a prequel. The story would have shown a young Hallorann starting out in Derry, with a brief connection to the events of ‘IT,’ where he had an early encounter with Pennywise. The plan expanded to include Hallorann’s time in the army and his subsequent work in law enforcement in New Orleans, facing a killer similar to the True Knot who specifically hunted people with ‘the shine.’ While Hallorann would defeat this enemy, he’d suffer personal losses and ultimately choose a peaceful life as a cook at a hotel in Colorado, leading to the events seen in ‘The Shining.’
Although the project was cancelled after Doctor Sleep didn’t perform well in theaters, things have changed. The success of IT: Welcome to Derry shows there’s a strong desire for more stories based on Stephen King’s popular universe. Plus, the recent TV series has effectively set the stage for the kind of exploration the creator, Flanagan, envisioned, even introducing a younger version of a key character who’s already experienced supernatural events. Warner Bros. now has a chance to build on this positive reception by revisiting Flanagan’s idea – perhaps with Chris Chalk in the lead role, or by connecting the TV series and the movies. It would be a missed opportunity to abandon such a promising story, especially now that audiences are already invested in the world.
All episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry Season 1 are now available to stream on HBO Max.
If a movie focusing solely on Dick Hallorann, directed by Mike Flanagan, was made, would you watch it? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-12-13 23:40