IT Franchise Teases More Pennywise: Chapter 3 on the Cards?

Andy and Barbara Muschietti, the creative duo behind the latest IT projects, have given fans plenty to talk about with their recent comments on the future of the franchise. In a chat with ScreenRant’s Grant Hermanns, Barbara Muschietti suggested that the story might not wrap up with IT: Welcome to Derry. She hinted at more to come, saying,

We shall see. It’s a universe. It is a universe, and there are characters that are still fascinating. There are more gaps. When the great Stephen King wrote the book, I think that he left those holes on purpose…. So, I don’t know. I don’t think this is the end, basically, is all I’ll say.

The Muschiettis have just finished the first season of HBO Max’s IT: Welcome to Derry, bringing Pennywise back to the screen and leaving punters keen for more. The appetite for further tales of Derry’s infamous clown is as strong as ever.

Stephen King’s Gaps Open Doors for New Stories

Barbara Muschietti went on to reflect on the original novel, noting that King’s story left plenty of room for new tales.

…I think that he left those holes on purpose. And if he didn’t do it on purpose, they’re just as great. They’re great accidents, but for us, they are a wonder. In doing the first season, of course, we uncovered a lot of holes.

IT: Welcome to Derry draws inspiration from King’s 1986 classic, following a group of locals haunted by Pennywise across their lives. The show is set in Derry, Maine, in 1962, before the events of the recent films. The first season, which landed on 26 October 2025, runs for eight episodes, each just over an hour. The series is a prequel to the 2017 and 2019 films, with Andy and Barbara Muschietti, Jason Fuchs, and Brad Caleb Kane at the helm.

Digging Deeper into Pennywise’s Past

King’s novel only briefly touches on Pennywise’s earlier reigns of terror, leaving the Muschiettis with plenty of material to explore. The first season of Welcome to Derry fills in some of these blanks, and there’s talk of even more stories beyond the three cycles of horror already planned for the series.

The showrunners have taken these “accidental holes” and run with them, crafting a fresh take on the IT universe. With each season set to jump back two decades, the next could tackle the Bradley Gang massacre, a grim event mentioned in both the book and the show.

Backwards Storytelling Sets Up Future Chapters

Welcome to Derry is set to keep exploring Pennywise’s 27-year cycle, with the Muschiettis planning to delve further into the past. There’s no official word yet on a second season, but with the show topping streaming charts, it’s looking likely. Each new season promises to reveal more about the origins of the creature that’s haunted Derry for generations.

Fans are left wondering if a third chapter is on the way, with the groundwork being laid for more of Bill Skarsgård’s chilling Pennywise and deeper dives into the lore. Would you be up for another round with the world’s creepiest clown?

IT: Welcome to Derry, along with the previous IT films, is available to stream on HBO Max for those in the U.S.