Fans of Stephen King’s terrifying world are in for a chilling return to the cursed town of Derry, Maine, with IT Chapter 3: Welcome to Derry, set for release in 2024. After the massive success of IT Chapter 1 (2017) and IT Chapter 2 (2019), which together grossed over $1 billion at the box office, Warner Bros. is diving deeper into the horrifying mythos of Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
A Prequel to the Horror
Unlike its predecessors, IT Chapter 3 isn’t a direct continuation of the story of the Losers’ Club, but rather a prequel that explores the origins of Pennywise and the haunting history of Derry. Titled Welcome to Derry, the film is set decades before the events of the first two chapters, promising to reveal how the malevolent force that takes the form of Pennywise began its reign of terror.
The film will dive into the past of the town, focusing on the cycles of fear and tragedy that have plagued Derry for centuries. IT Chapter 3 will also explore how Pennywise came to manifest in the form we recognize—a terrifying, child-eating clown that emerges every 27 years to feed on the town’s children and terrorize the community.
The Return of Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise
Bill Skarsgård, who delivered an unforgettable performance as Pennywise in the previous two chapters, is set to reprise his role. His portrayal of the monstrous clown, with his eerie grin and terrifying voice, has become iconic, and fans are eager to see how he’ll bring new depth and terror to the character in this prequel. Skarsgård has hinted that the film will allow him to explore Pennywise’s psychology and malevolent nature in ways that weren’t fully addressed in the first two films.
Expanding on Stephen King’s Mythos
IT Chapter 3 promises to take fans deeper into the origins of Pennywise, drawing on Stephen King’s vast lore. While King’s original novel touched on the extraterrestrial nature of the creature, this film is expected to expand on that concept. The film may explore Pennywise’s arrival on Earth and its connection to the mysterious “Macroverse,” a cosmic dimension where this ancient evil originates.
Derry’s sinister history, which includes unexplained disappearances, mass killings, and dark secrets, will be a major focal point of the film. Fans of the book will recognize key events from Derry’s past, such as the Kitchener Ironworks explosion and the Black Spot fire, which are likely to be explored in greater detail, further cementing Pennywise’s role as a manipulative force behind the town’s endless tragedies.
New Characters and Familiar Faces
While Welcome to Derry will focus on new characters from the past, it’s also possible that we might see familiar faces, or at least connections to the Losers’ Club, as the film ties into the larger IT narrative. The film is expected to introduce new protagonists, likely a group of young people who uncover the evil lurking beneath Derry, only to realize they’re up against a horror far beyond their understanding.
While there’s little information about the new cast, fans are speculating that the film might explore the ancestors of some of the Losers’ Club members, adding an intriguing layer to the generational trauma passed down in Derry.
What We Can Expect: A Darker Tone
While the first two IT movies balanced their scares with moments of levity and friendship between the members of the Losers’ Club, IT Chapter 3 looks to be a darker, more unsettling experience. Given that the film will explore the deeper history of Derry, which is filled with unspeakable horrors and tragedies, it’s expected that this entry will delve even further into the psychological and supernatural aspects of the IT mythos.
The setting of the film in earlier decades could also mean a more atmospheric and disturbing horror tone, reminiscent of classic horror stories. Director Andy Muschietti, who masterfully directed the first two chapters, is rumored to return, ensuring that the film retains the same stylistic elements that made the previous movies so iconic.
Conclusion
IT Chapter 3: Welcome to Derry promises to be a spine-tingling return to the world of IT, offering fans a deeper exploration of Pennywise’s origins and the cursed town that has been haunted for generations. With Bill Skarsgård returning as the terrifying clown and a fresh narrative that delves into the dark history of Derry, the film is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated horror releases of 2024.
