What is The Story of Stephen King’s IT?
Stephen King's iconic novel It, which was first released in 1986, continues to terrorize those who dare to read or see ITs adaptation, which takes on several distinct forms as a Stephen King novel and even Stephen King IT, as those watching this franchise will recognize that the central antagonist of IT is Pennywise - an entity that transforms - making it terrifying to its victims as a terrifying clown or a serial killer.
Those familiar wIth Stephen King's wrITing will notice his ability to create compelling characters and an assortment of memorable storylines - specifically, how these events transpire through his own world, The Stephen King Universe, and particularly those who make their way to Derry, Maine. This small, quaint town has been ravaged by child murders that have terrorized the local community. The Losers Club is forced to face these events and ultimately come to grapple with those evil entities, the most noteworthy being Pennywise - a clown from another dimension who continues to threaten to make his way into this town.
How Does Pennywise Appear in IT: Chapter 2?
Pennywise (as it's known in IT) or as the "dancing clown" as the creature appears to its victims is seen throughout the film franchise and novels as an ever-present entity, a nightmare, a manifestation of evil, and one who has to be defeated by those who are determined to save others and overcome its horror.
Fans who have enjoyed the entire series - will recall the "Losers Club" which becomes central to the narrative - those individuals that make a valiant attempt to fight back against IT and ensure their hometown can be free from this creature's destructive, terrifying forces. In IT Chapter 2 - they are brought together once more. The "Losers Club" face the ultimate fight - and viewers should know this is just one part of the IT novel as those seeking to understand this terrifying story and IT character Pennywise should know that the movie serves as a compelling adaption.
Why Is There So Much Interest Around Stephen King's IT?
While Stephen King’s iconic Stephen King IT novel has continued to terrify readers, a series of IT Movies have continued to expand the narrative - capturing the horror - as a main source that has made King's writing stand out - both across his novel series and even with adaptations that have often brought those films to HBO Max or even those who choose to watch those IT movies at home. In many ways, these releases and stories serve as a staple that have also given horror films new recognition, serving as a cultural mainstay, with the iconic "clown" character being one of the most significant parts that continues to bring forth that classic, and possibly a lasting influence to the world of horror.
Fans have even sought to learn more, even looking into how a Pennywise prequel series called "Welcome to Derry" was released on HBO Max and focuses on how this town - Derry, Maine, and the "clown," Pennywise, became part of its history - giving those eager to know more a chance to get a deeper perspective on its Pennywise origins and explore the roots of how this creature has become so central to this franchise.
Is Stephen King Afraid of Clowns?
Stephen King's IT has become a horror-filled franchise that continues to bring in legions of fans - however, King himself may have also helped shape those events through his own experiences and his unique imagination.
King's childhood and even the history of the town of Derry (which can be seen in those who follow his works. They’ve come to accept Derry as being the foundation of his lore - serving as a recurring theme across a handful of his most iconic works. These are: IT, as well as the "Welcome to Derry" prequel, but the central concept of clowns has continued to serve as an essential concept to the world of horror. King was initially terrified of clowns. In several interviews he shared that the main reasons behind his writing about clowns was to capture those feelings he'd held for years.
Where Was Stephen King’s IT Inspired?
The origin for IT can be attributed to many different sources and inspiration from the real world - specifically, there were several instances that helped mold the story's concept of Pennywise and how this character took form - ultimately to cause such chaos and destruction in Derry.
In an early 1980s event, the real world brought to Stephen King's awareness a series of real-life crimes. They inspired him as a writer to shape those storylines for IT. He came across a real case, John Wayne Gacy, a serial killer clown who targeted and killed numerous children in Chicago in the late 1970s - as he would don a costume as "Pogo the Clown" (or as Patches the Clown) while performing for local children at hospital parties. King also made mention that he used Ronald McDonald as a source for how Pennywise looked. However, there were also moments during this era where there was a rising fear - particularly among those who might have had children in this community. This was known as "stranger danger panic."
Did The Kitchener Ironworks Explosion Help to Inspire IT?
Stephen King’s IT serves as a key point in the series. This production features Derry, Maine, as the site of several violent, unsettling, and tragic events - one which occurred as a real-life event known as the Kitchener Ironworks explosion.
This incident took place in 1906 - and claimed the lives of 108 people as this manufacturing plant exploded in the small community of Derry, Maine. King has shared his inspiration, in a few interviews that it was this real world incident that contributed to the Derry Maine storyline and inspired the world that was formed around the fictional town and Pennywise's ability to bring forth evil, death and destruction.
