When IT got the remake treatment in 2017, new and old fans welcomed it with open arms.
At a time when remakes were prevalent and most were not very good, it captured the essence of the original and terrified a whole new generation of fans.
However, the 2019 sequel completely decimated the excitement due to its near-three-hour runtime that meandered on and on.
But still, the two movies made a massive dent at the worldwide box office, so it was inevitable that Warner Bros. Pictures would find a way to expand the franchise in some capacity.
That’s exactly what’s happening with IT: Welcome to Derry, a prequel series that will take viewers many years before Pennywise the Clown tormented the residents of the titular town.
While some fans will desire to delve further into the past to learn more about Derry’s origins, the first teaser trailer doesn’t instill hope that it will have much to say.
IT: Welcome to Derry Promises a Horrifying Prequel
The first footage of the nine-episode prequel showcases plenty of horror, but nothing about it screams fresh and exciting.
One of the only semi-exciting things from the clip showcases Bill Skarsgård’s return as Pennywise the Clown.
The rest plays out like a run-of-the-mill horror, so the hope is that the finished product is more akin to the 2017 IT movie than its sequel.
There’s plenty of lore in this universe, but the story has to be a cut above a movie to keep viewers invested.
Nine weeks is a big commitment, so asking people to come back every week means there will have to be reasons for them to keep coming back.
The sequel’s long-drawn-out plot didn’t have much payoff, so if the series follows a similar trajectory, it could do more harm to the franchise than good.
One thing going for the show is its impressive cast of new and veteran actors.
We have Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, James Remar, Stephen Rider, Madeleine Stowe, and Rudy Mancuso.
HBO notes that IT: Welcome to Derry is based on Stephen King’s novel but “expands the vision established by filmmaker Andy Muschietti in the feature films IT and IT Chapter Two.”
The IT: Welcome to Derry Teaser Showcases Big Events
HBO has a knack for expanding well-known movie franchises with TV series. In recent years, we’ve had The Penguin (from the Batman universe) and Dune: Prophecy (from the Dune franchise).
We have a Harry Potter series planned to run for 10 seasons, so these legacy franchises will be a focus of HBO going forward.
Check out the trailer for IT: Welcome to Derry below!
What are your thoughts on the first footage, It Fanatics?
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