HBO Max’s It Prequel Series Is Officially Moving Forward With Andy Muschietti Returning to Direct

HBO Max is officially moving forward with its It prequel series Welcome to Derry (a working title that’s subject to change), it announced today.

While we already knew the series was in development, with HBO Max having comitted to developing the entire first season, its formal series order means that the streamer is officially planning on moving forward. They also announced that Andy Muschietti, who directed both It and It: Chapter Two, will return to direct multiple episodes of the series, including the premiere.

Andy Muschietti developed Welcome to Derry for television alongside Barbara Muschietti, who produced the movies, and Wonder Woman co-writer Jason Fuchs. As announced last year, Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane will serve as showrunners.

Very little has been revealed about the show’s plot. Remaining tight-lipped, HBO Max has only said that it’s “based on Stephen King’s It novel and expands the vision established by filmmaker Andy Muschietti in the feature films.” It’s currently unclear if any of the cast will return.

“I’m excited that the story of Derry, Maine’s most haunted city, is continuing, and I’m glad Andy Muschietti is going to be overseeing the frightening festivities, along with a brain trust including his talented sister, Barbara,” King said in a statement. “Red balloons all around!”

Both It movies were strong performers for Warner Bros., so it’s little wonder they want to expand the universe into its primary streaming service. The first earned $700 million at the box office worldwide in 2017, while the second earned a lower but still respectable gross of $473 million in 2019.

Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.