A casting search is underway for “Welcome to Derry,” HBO Max’s upcoming series that serves as a prequel to the “IT” film franchise.
The Illuminerdi is reporting that production for the series is searching for a Black male lead in their thirties, with the character to be a ‘patriotic Army man’ and a ‘pilot’ who will play a major role in events.
In the series, the character will reportedly live in Derry in the 1960s and will be trying to bring together the community in a rough time. In addition, HBO is reportedly looking to cast a group of young children in various leading roles – potentially the show’s own version of the Losers Club.
The first of the “IT” films takes place around late 1988/1989. Thus with Pennywise on a twenty-seven-year cycle between reappearances (with the occasional attack of anyone wandering into its domain in between), it would suggest the series could be set during the early 1960s.
The series will also reportedly go more into the origins of Pennywise the Clown, which was somewhat explored in “IT: Chapter Two”.
Andy Muschietti, who directed both films, will serve as executive producer for the series alongside Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs. All three developed the story for the show, with Fuchs writing the script and Andy Muschietti likely to direct the first episode.
The two films have grossed over $1.1 billion combined globally.
