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More than three decades after Tim Curry originated the role of Pennywise in “It,” his impact is still felt across the franchise and horror fans alike.
“His legacy is incredible, and we’re very thankful that sometimes
our name pops up somewhere close to his,” Barbara Muschietti, the co-creator of the “It” prequel series “Welcome to Derry,” tells Variety. “We will continue watching his incredible movies, and he’ll be in our hearts forever.”
Curry died Aug. 25 from coronary artery disease. He was 80 years old. Although his performance as Pennywise had a profound impact on audiences, Andy Muschietti, Barbara’s brother and co-creator of “Welcome to Derry,” says the actor’s legacy extends far beyond the iconic horror role, pointing to projects including “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Annie” and his musical career.
“It’s a shame. It’s bitter, but we’ll remember him,” Andy says. “We’ll cherish it.”
The sibling director-producer duo revamped the world of Pennywise the Dancing Clown in 2017 with a new adaptation of Stephen King’s “It.” Starring Bill Skarsgård as the shapeshifting antagonist, the film was followed by “It Chapter Two” in 2019. The Muschiettis subsequently expanded the franchise with the HBO prequel series, “It: Welcome to Derry.”
Recently renewed for Season 2, the inaugural season of the show premiered on HBO Max on Oct. 26, 2025, and was set in Derry in 1962, detailing the town’s last encounter with Pennywise prior to the 2017 film. Season 2 will jump back to 1935 and, according to the series’ logline, “centers on the bloody massacre of the Bradley Gang, a group of bank robbers who stop in Derry to buy ammo and end up facing unimaginable horror.”
The Bradley Gang Massacre is one of the interludes featured in King’s novel, which Andy teased the second season will incorporate more of. Production hasn’t yet begun, but the director says creatives are currently working on casting.
“It’s a completely different world with a lot of surprises,” Andy says of the sophomore season. “If you like Season 1, you’re going to like Season 2 even more.”
“It: Welcome to Derry” was developed for TV by the Muschiettis and Jason Fuchs, who also worked on the recent “It” films. The siblings previously told Variety they planned to tell the story across three seasons, corresponding with the three cycles of Pennywise in 1962, 1935 and 1908.
The Muschiettis were at the opening night of “It” at the Cosm in Los Angeles, which transforms the film into an immersive, shared-reality experience.
“It feels great,” Andy says about bringing “It” to life in a new way. “I mean, let alone having the opportunity to show the movie again to a big audience, which is a golden opportunity because most filmmakers don’t have the chance. But these guys created something very special.”
“It” at the Cosm is currently available at select locations, but Barbara shares she hopes the experience will eventually expand to cities across the country.
“Anything to bring people to the theaters,” she says, “which is what we make movies for.”
The Cosm’s presentation of “It” runs until Oct. 18. Tickets are available now on the Cosm website.
