The WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes this year have resulted in a number of production delays and cancellations. Now it looks like the series Welcome to Derry, a prequel to 2017’s IT and 2019’s IT: Chapter Two, will suffer one such delay.
This was revealed by HBO and Max chairman/CEO Casey Bloys. While speaking at a press event, via Variety, he discussed the status of Welcome to Derry. Unfortunately, the series was originally scheduled to be released during the 2024 Halloween season. Now, Bloys suggests that it could be delayed until as late as 2025.
Here’s what Bloys had to say about the potential Welcome to Derry delay:
“Welcome to Derry, we had had that scheduled for Halloween of 2024. That’s likely 2025.”
This is definitely a disappointing announcement for fans who were hoping to see Welcome to Derry sooner rather than later. After all, it’s already been four years since IT: Chapter Two hit theaters. It would have been five years later, then, that Welcome to Derry could have premiered on Max. But now it looks more like it will be six years after that Welcome to Derry will be released.
The plot details for the upcoming series are so far being kept under wraps. But it’s expected to be a prequel to the two theatrical films based on Stephen King‘s iconic novel. Additionally, director Andy Muschietti is slated to return as a director on several episodes of the show. It’s worth noting that at Bill Skarsgård isn’t officially confirmed to reprise his role as Pennywise, but one can hope that he will fit into the story nonetheless. Especially given his critically-acclaimed performance in the most recent two films.
There are plenty of details from King’s original novel, and within the lore of the two films, that would make for a great television series. Hopefully the project will have the opportunity to begin production soon. Until then, it looks like fans should expect a 2025 release date.