IT Chapter 3: Welcome to Derry is an upcoming horror film that continues the legacy of Stephen King’s IT, but this time with a deeper dive into the terrifying history of the cursed town of Derry, Maine. Slated for a 2025 release on HBO Max, this new installment is expected to serve as a prequel to the first two IT films, exploring the origins of Pennywise the Dancing Clown and the sinister forces haunting Derry.

The story is set in the mid-1960s, decades before the events involving the Losers’ Club. The trailer hints at a dark secret buried in the town’s past. We’re introduced to new characters who begin to uncover the evil lurking beneath the surface, tying in themes of fear and trauma that resonate through Derry’s history. This time, the town’s cursed cycle is explored from a generational perspective, showing how Pennywise has been feeding on the town’s fear for centuries.

A major spoiler from the trailer reveals that Pennywise’s reign of terror didn’t begin in the 1980s with the Losers’ Club. Instead, viewers will get to see the twisted rituals and macabre events that paved the way for the shape-shifting entity to emerge as the ultimate manifestation of evil. There’s also a revelation about the mysterious “Black Spot,” a tragic fire from the IT novel’s lore, which plays a central role in Pennywise’s return every 27 years.

Though Bill Skarsgård is yet to be confirmed as returning for the role of Pennywise, the trailer teases glimpses of the familiar red balloon and eerie grin. Fans can expect a chilling exploration of fear and the deep-rooted evil that defines Derry, setting the stage for the terrifying events that follow in IT and IT Chapter Two.