IT Chapter 3 Gets Major Update from Franchise Producers
The Muschietti producers behind the IT franchise have revealed exciting details about the future of Stephen King's horror universe, suggesting fans haven't seen the last of Pennywise's reign of terror.
The creative team behind Stephen King's terrifying IT universe has dropped some serious hints about what's coming next for horror fans. Andy and Barbara Muschietti, the powerhouse duo who've been steering this franchise, recently sat down for an interview that's got King enthusiasts buzzing with excitement.
Barbara Muschietti made it crystal clear that the story won't wrap up with IT: Welcome to Derry. Her words were pretty telling: "We shall see. It's a universe. It is a universe, and there are characters that are still fascinating. There are more gaps. When the great Stephen King wrote the book, I think that he left those holes on purpose.... So, I don't know. I don't think this is the end, basically, is all I'll say."
King's Strategic Gaps Create New Opportunities
The Muschiettis have just finished wrapping up HBO Max's debut season of IT: Welcome to Derry, bringing back everyone's favorite nightmare-inducing clown. Audiences are absolutely hungry for more chances to dive deeper into Pennywise's cycles of horror.
Barbara Muschietti expanded on her thoughts about the source material: "....I think that he left those holes on purpose. And if he didn't do it on purpose, they're just as great. They're great accidents, but for us, they are a wonder. In doing the first season, of course, we uncovered a lot of holes."
Welcome to Derry Sets the Stage
IT: Welcome to Derry draws its inspiration from King's legendary novel, following a group of people who face off against Pennywise the Dancing Clown during both their childhood and adult years. This American supernatural horror series serves as a prequel to the 2017 IT film and its 2019 sequel, IT: Chapter Two.
The show's first season takes viewers back to 1962 in Derry, Maine, exploring events that happened before the movies. With eight episodes running between 54 and 66 minutes each, the series premiered on October 26, 2025, and has already become a streaming sensation.
Backward Timeline Strategy
The creative approach involves moving backward through time, with season one set in 1962 and future seasons jumping back two decades each time. This strategy allows the team to explore different periods of Pennywise's 27-year terror cycle, potentially including events like the Bradley Gang massacre that was mentioned in both King's original novel and the current show.
While HBO Max hasn't officially announced a second season yet, the show's massive popularity on streaming charts makes renewal seem very likely. More Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise means more opportunities to build the creature's mythology and explore its origins on Earth, setting up perfect groundwork for potential future films.