Andy Muschietti has begun production on the IT prequel series, Welcome to Derry in Toronto, Canada. While there appears to be growing interest in the further exploration of Stephen King‘s acclaimed story on the eerie clown – there has also been pushback for filming the Pennywise prequel show amid the ongoing Writers’ strike.
The cameras are officially rolling for Welcome to Derry and Muschietti has shared an intriguing first-look image as an announcement for the project. The still in question shows a the Derry, Maine’s Police department with a close-up shot of the chief of police’s glass door with the name, “Clint Bowers”.
Pennywise fans would know Bowers from the 2017’s IT movie with Stuart Hughes playing Officer Bowers and Nicholas Hamilton as Henry Bowers. The latter plays a big role in being a hurdle to the losers’ club so it’s interesting to see the Bowers family’s role in the IT prequel show too.
The Muschiettis are only serving as the producers while Jason Fuchs and Brad Kane serve as showrunners. Though Andy and Barbara wrote the story while Fuchs penned the script. Even so, IT fans feel the series could be severely impacted in quality due to the writers’ strike.
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during a writer's strike? Oh it's gonna SUCK. https://t.co/PsLzHdeJgD
— corey (@actionanderson) May 8, 2023
They're going ahead in spite of the strike!? This can only end badly… https://t.co/CXoDI5hokg
— Infinite Whovian Stands With the #WGA (@drwhofan19) May 8, 2023
Hope those scripts are airtight, otherwise it'll get bogged down in post. https://t.co/42RSYlElbc
— Added Value/edwardojackson on Spoutible (@SwagPoker) May 8, 2023
Writers strikes and things no one asked for are commonly a winning combo https://t.co/TWTSgAXac7
— Macfall (@Damac1214) May 8, 2023
ngl I'm interested on this. https://t.co/N6ngeYO0rQ
— Ian (@ianklsdmbldr) May 8, 2023
Can't wait for this show ngl https://t.co/LwxQhuTD90
— lw (@recomlw) May 8, 2023
there's a writers strike going on tho? https://t.co/NEgnSGZbP1 pic.twitter.com/oo59Vihs7a
— BLACK LIVES MATTER (@willowhalliwell) May 8, 2023
Let's Goooooo!
I can't wait to see this series. https://t.co/aV8o8YM7Oz
— Furlow7 (@Furlow71) May 8, 2023
But is Bill coming back or??? https://t.co/ACY0ZMgiYU
— . (@thehoIyspearit) May 8, 2023
i apologize in advance for how insufferable i’m gonna be when this show comes out https://t.co/l4VbvyURal
— ☆ eden (@nightcordmiku) May 7, 2023
how is this gonna work without bill skarsgård https://t.co/BWYG7SZb2x
— uly (@sairated) May 8, 2023
Writers strikes and things no one asked for are commonly a winning combo https://t.co/TWTSgAXac7
— Macfall (@Damac1214) May 8, 2023
The last thing any Stephen King fan wanted was for this to be a scab production. https://t.co/qDMrQpKaNu
— DEJ #BlackLivesMatter #TransRights #FreePalestine (@DawsonEJoyce) May 8, 2023
The fact that there is a Writers Strike going on right now is raising my concerns for this project.
We’ll see what happens but my expectations are going to be low. https://t.co/Id3D4ULAxs
— Harvey Edgerton 🇦🇺 (@edgerton_harvey) May 8, 2023
will the derry girls be fighting pennywise https://t.co/ezePIIr7aY
— jamie saw vol.3 🌻 (@alicenttpilled) May 8, 2023
Wait what?! Already?! Is Bill involved?! I have sooo many questions!! https://t.co/pqFwJ5c9Tu
— Sammy 🌞 (@Sam_Simoe) May 8, 2023
A few IT fans also questioned if the show could work without Bill Skarsgard returning to play Pennywise. The John Wick Chapter 4 actor confirmed he has no involvement in the prequel but gave his blessings and advice for another actor to portray the scary clown.
There has been no announcement yet on who could play Pennywise. Nevertheless, Welcome to Derry boasts an intriguing cast such as 12 Years a Slave actor Chris Chalk, Madeleine Stowe, Dexter star James Remar, Babylon‘s Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, Chad Rook and Stephen Rider.
Welcome to Derry is one of the shows ordered for HBO Max by Warner Bros. Discovery’s library with spin-offs. The Pennywise prequel series has not yet received a premiere date. There have been reports that the project’s title is subject to change so stay tuned for more updates.
