New IT Show May Include the Biggest Stephen King Character Cut From the Movies

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As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled about the upcoming “IT: Welcome to Derry,” a chilling addition to the “IT” franchise that promises another heart-pounding tale of terror. This time around, we might see a beloved Stephen King character stepping into the limelight with a significant role, having played a pivotal part in the author’s intricate literary universe.

Based on King’s own novel, director Andy Muschietti’s “IT” films revolve around an extraordinary group of friends called the Losers Club from the quiet town of Derry, Maine. These tales follow their harrowing encounters with Pennywise, a terrifying, supernatural clown that haunts their dreams and lives.

Muschietti’s “IT” films cleverly divide the story into two parts, showcasing the Losers’ battles against Pennywise both as children and adults. The upcoming “Welcome to Derry” will take us back to the early ’60s, setting the stage for another suspenseful chapter in this timeless horror saga.

Rumors are swirling that a character hinted at in “IT: Chapter Two” could make an appearance – none other than the enigmatic cosmic turtle Maturin, a fascinating creature that has only been alluded to so far. It’s an intriguing development that will undoubtedly add another layer of excitement to this already captivating series.

In a conversation with TV Insider, director Andy Muschietti shared that the upcoming series “Welcome to Derry” will delve deeper into the expansive Stephen King universe. He expressed that the show aims to create a sense for viewers that what they already know about the book, stories, and movies is merely the tip of the iceberg, hinting at a more comprehensive cosmic backstory related to Pennywise and Stephen King’s “IT” novel. Furthermore, Muschietti suggested that these narrative elements are intertwined with The Dark Tower, as they both belong to the same vast universe, or “macroverse.” This suggests that Maturin the Turtle might make an appearance in some form on “Welcome to Derry,” which should excite Stephen King fans for the new possibilities it presents.

Who Is Maturin the Turtle in Stephen King’s Literary Cosmos?

Maturin, a significant character in Stephen King’s interconnected universe (as depicted in movies and TV shows like “Welcome to Derry”), is a wise, massive turtle serving as one of the cosmic protectors upholding the Dark Tower, which forms the very foundation of reality within King’s cosmology. Generally aloof and observing events across the multiverse, Maturin occasionally intervenes in crucial matters. Interestingly, he is also recognized for his unique role in the genesis of King’s primary universe: by expelling the universe after a bout of indigestion.

In Stephen King’s novel “IT,” Maturin, portrayed as an adversary of technology, plays a significant part by offering strategic guidance to Bill Denbrough against Pennywise. During the Ritual of Chüd, Maturin provides Bill with essential advice that significantly contributes to the Losers Club’s victory over Pennywise. The grandeur of Maturin’s character makes him an ideal fit for a brief appearance in the “IT” movies. Regrettably, this opportunity did not materialize in Muschietti’s two film adaptations of “IT.

Maturin Wasn’t in the IT Movies (but Should Be a Part of the IT Franchise)

In the movie “IT: Chapter Two”, the Ritual of Chüd plays a significant role in the Losers’ final confrontation with Pennywise. However, the character Maturin is noticeably absent from director Andy Muschietti’s IT films. Yet, a subtle reference to Maturin is made, as a turtle-shaped paperweight on a teacher’s desk in Derry Elementary School. This small Easter egg could be seen as a nod by Muschietti towards the character’s significance within Stephen King’s larger literary world.

In simpler terms, although Maturin did not directly intervene to boost Bill’s spirits during the battle against Pennywise in Stephen King’s IT novel, his significant roles as an eternal adversary to Pennywise and a key player in shaping the universe suggest that he could be a central character in upcoming spin-off projects like Welcome to Derry. The potential for Maturin’s appearance or even brief mention is intriguing, given his pivotal position in Pennywise’s history within the town of Derry.

How Maturin Could Appear on IT: Welcome to Derry

As a devoted cinephile, I’d put it this way:

“Derry isn’t just where Pennywise originated; it’s a place where he’s been causing havoc since at least the swinging ’60s. Muschietti hinted at multiple seasons of Derry-focused content, potentially offering an opportunity to bring Maturin into the picture. A seamless way to achieve this could be by shifting Maturin’s role from ally to the Losers, to aiding another band of heroes who fought Pennywise in the past. After all, delving into Derry’s history could make for some spine-tingling storytelling!

In essence, a new group could encounter Maturin in the Ritual of Chüd, similar to the Losers in Stephen King’s novel, providing a foundation for how this ritual may factor into the Losers’ storyline years later in ‘IT: Chapter Two’. This isn’t an unprecedented move in King adaptations; the 2019 film ‘Doctor Sleep’ incorporated elements from the ending of ‘The Shining’ novel to align its narrative with both King’s original work and Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 movie. Given that Maturin might have been too significant a character to fit within the ‘IT’ movies, ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ could serve as an introduction for Maturin in the contemporary ‘IT’ series, thereby broadening its scope.

Both “IT: Chapter One” and “IT: Chapter Two” can be found streaming on HBO Max, while “IT – Welcome to Derry” is set to premiere on HBO on the 26th of October.

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2025-09-13 17:10