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HBO’s highly anticipated prequel series 'It: Welcome to Derry' made a haunting impression at San Diego Comic-Con, where the first 10 minutes of the premiere episode were screened during a special late-night panel. Set in the same terrifying universe as Andy Muschietti’s It films, the opening sequence teased a return to Derry’s dark roots—and made it clear that no one is safe, not even the children.
What 'It: Welcome to Derry' Premier Showcased?
Creators Andy and Barbara Muschietti appeared at the panel to introduce the footage, which kicked off with a strange and unsettling scene. A young boy—clearly too old for a pacifier—watches a film at a local theatre before getting caught by staff for being underage. After being chased out, he's helped by Hank, the theatre’s projectionist, and his daughter Ronnie, who help the boy slip away into the snowy Derry night.
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
As the boy tries to escape town, he encounters what appears to be a kind, wholesome family offering him a ride. But as the tension escalates inside the car, it becomes evident that something is deeply wrong. It’s soon revealed that this “family” is actually a manifestation of the shape-shifting, child-devouring entity known as It—a terrifying reminder of the horror that haunts the town.
The scene draws parallels to the opening of both Stephen King’s original novel and the 2017 'It' film, where young Georgie Denbrough meets his tragic fate. This series stays true to the timeline of the film adaptations, centring its events in 1962 and drawing heavily from King’s “interlude” chapters, which follow Mike Hanlon's investigation into Derry’s dark history.
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
One key storyline will revolve around the Black Spot, a speakeasy serving Black patrons, which becomes the target of a devastating act of violence. The Muschiettis confirmed this historical event will act as a central anchor for multiple story arcs in the series.
'It: Welcome to Derry' stars Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, and others. Bill Skarsgård also returns as the terrifying Pennywise, reprising the role that cemented his place in modern horror.
The nine-episode debut season of 'It: Welcome to Derry' is set to premiere this October, just in time for Halloween, promising spine-chilling scares and deeper insight into the evil lurking beneath the surface of the infamous town.
