Put on your dancing shoes and head over to Derry, the town of Pennywise the killer clown. The new prequel series IT: Welcome To Derry, created by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, and Jason Fuchs, delves into the eerie lore established by Stephen King in his 1986 novel IT.
The series brings back Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise and familiar locations like 29 Neibolt Street from the recent IT movie adaptations. Beyond the usual Pennywise imagery, there are connections to other Stephen King works, such as Dick Hallorann from The Shining, Shawshank State Prison, and Juniper Hill psychiatric hospital.
One particular Easter Egg that ties everything together is the turtle. Yes, the turtle. Throughout the IT series, references to turtles can be spotted, hinting at a deeper connection to a cosmic turtle named Maturin in King’s overarching story.
What is the turtle easter egg in Welcome to Derry?
Turtle references in IT: Welcome To Derry, such as Lilly’s bracelet and an educational turtle mascot named Bert, play a significant role in the series. The turtle’s shell becomes important in Pennywise’s origin story, adding a new layer of intrigue to the narrative.
The cosmic turtle Maturin, who vomited out the universe in King’s story, is depicted as a force of good and a counterbalance to the evil entity IT. Despite the bizarre nature of the turtle’s role, it plays a crucial part in the battle against Pennywise.
How the turtle has been adapted for King’s work on screen
In the IT movies, the turtle’s presence is subtly hinted at, with director Andy Muschietti suggesting that the turtle serves as a protector of the children. While the turtle doesn’t make a physical appearance in IT: Chapter II, its influence continues in Welcome To Derry, promising further exploration of its role in the series.
As the series progresses, viewers can expect more revelations about Maturin and his significance in the larger Stephen King multiverse. IT: Welcome To Derry offers a deeper dive into the cosmic elements of King’s universe, paving the way for a potentially weirder and more intriguing narrative than the movies.
IT: Welcome To Derry is now available on HBO/HBO Max in the US and Sky/Now in the UK. New episodes air on Sundays at 9pm ET/6pm PT in the US and on Mondays at 2am GMT in the UK for streaming.
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