Chris Chalk Teases Return of The Shining's Dick Hallorann in 'It: Welcome to Derry'

Fans of the 'It' universe will encounter more than just Pennywise when 'It: Welcome to Derry' premieres later this month. The prequel series, set in 1962—27 years before the Losers Club first confronts the infamous dancing clown—introduces a new generation of characters while bringing back a familiar face from Stephen King's wider universe: Dick Hallorann, now portrayed by Chris Chalk.

At a New York Comic Con panel, Chalk and his co-stars—including Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, James Remar, Stephen Rider, and Kimberly Guerrero—offered a sneak peek at the prequel. Chalk revealed that Dick Hallorann arrives in Derry not as the wise mentor fans remember from 'The Shining,' but as a man dealing with his own mistakes and inner fears.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

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What's There For Dick Hallorann in 'It: Welcome to Derry'

Chalk explained that this version of Dick is grappling with personal failures and is wary of the malevolent entity terrorising Derry. Unlike the compassionate and guiding figure seen in Kubrick's 'The Shining,' the miniseries, and Mike Flanagan's 'Doctor Sleep,' this Hallorann is sceptical of those around him and struggles with his own psychic abilities.

Prior portrayals of Dick Hallorann include Scatman Crothers in 'The Shining,' Melvin van Peebles in the 1990s miniseries, and Carl Lumbly in 'Doctor Sleep.' In those stories, Hallorann served as a mentor to Danny Torrance, helping him understand and control his "shine." 'It: Welcome to Derry,' however, explores Dick at an earlier stage in his life—before he has fully mastered his powers or taken on a guiding role.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

Chalk described the character's journey in the prequel as one of self-discovery, emphasising that Dick's greatest fear is himself and the loss of control over his abilities. This portrayal offers fans a deeper look at Hallorann's inner life and spiritual struggles.

 Dick Hallorann And 'It: Welcome to Derry' Reaction

The series also ties Hallorann more closely to the origins of Pennywise, using his "shining" abilities as a crucial element in uncovering the dark history of Derry's infamous clown. Executive producer Barbara confirmed that Dick appears in King's original 'It' novel, noting that his presence provides key context for understanding the entity's backstory.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

'It: Welcome to Derry' draws on the novel's five interludes as a blueprint, exploring the hidden events that transform the mysterious force into Pennywise. Director and producer Andy Muschietti described the storytelling approach as backwards-looking, gradually revealing the reasons and secrets behind the horror.

The prequel series will debut on 26th October 2025, on HBO Max, offering fans a fresh yet deeply connected chapter in Stephen King's terrifying universe.

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