In a thrilling showcase of upcoming adaptations, fans of Stephen King’s work have much to look forward to, with two highly anticipated projects making headlines this week. The first is the prequel series It: Welcome to Derry, while the second is Edgar Wright's reimagining of The Running Man. Both projects promise to delve deeper into the worlds created by King, offering fresh takes on his iconic narratives.
On April 7, 2025, Max's Coming Soon showreel unveiled a sneak peek of It: Welcome to Derry, a series that has received Stephen King's stamp of approval. Directed by Andy Muschietti, who helmed the successful adaptations of It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019), this prequel is set to kick off in 1962. The first season will consist of nine episodes and aims to expand on the lore established in the previous films.
Although fans were hoping for a glimpse of Bill Skarsgård reprising his role as the terrifying Pennywise, the sneak peek did not feature the actor. Instead, the series introduces a new cast, including Taylour Paige, Jovan Adepo, Chris Chalk, and James Remar. Muschietti has indicated that the series will explore catastrophic events from Derry’s past, tying them to Pennywise’s cycle of terror. "Every time Pennywise comes out of hibernation, there is a catastrophic event that happens at the beginning of that cycle," Muschietti explained in a recent interview.
The narrative will draw from Mike Hanlon’s research, focusing on significant historical events like the fire in the Black Spot and the massacre of the Bradley Gang in the 1930s. Muschietti noted that the series could potentially span three seasons, each dedicated to different catastrophic events that coincide with Pennywise’s return. Fans can expect It: Welcome to Derry to premiere later this year, although an exact release date has yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, at CinemaCon on April 4, 2025, Edgar Wright introduced the first footage from his adaptation of The Running Man. This new take on the classic story, originally penned by King under his Richard Bachman pseudonym, aims to provide a more faithful representation of the source material compared to the 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Wright expressed his admiration for the original movie but emphasized his desire to align closer to the book. The footage presented at CinemaCon showcased a significant shift in character portrayal, particularly with the protagonist Ben Richards, played by Glen Powell. Unlike Schwarzenegger's character, who was a framed police officer, Wright's Ben is depicted as an everyman who volunteers for the deadly game show out of financial desperation.
In this version, the character of Killian, played by Josh Brolin, serves solely as the executive producer of the show, while Colman Domingo portrays Bobby Thompson, the show's host. This separation of roles is intended to reflect King's original vision. In a tense moment from the footage, Killian attempts to persuade Ben to participate in the games, leading to a memorable exchange where Ben defiantly states, "I’m not trying to get myself killed, so kiss my ass twice," to which Killian responds, "That right there is why you’re perfect!"
The footage also highlighted the dynamic action sequences characteristic of Wright’s style, featuring Ben on the run across the country, pursued by trained killers known as Hunters. This adaptation promises a more expansive and thrilling experience, with drone cameras following Ben's every move. One particularly humorous moment showed Ben smashing a drone that had been tracking him, shouting, "Stop following me!"
As the footage unfolded, it became clear that the film retains elements of dark humor while ramping up the stakes. The film is set to release on November 7, 2025, and the excitement surrounding it is palpable.
Both It: Welcome to Derry and The Running Man exemplify the ongoing trend of adapting Stephen King's works for modern audiences. With their unique approaches and fresh perspectives, these projects are poised to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike. As anticipation builds, viewers can look forward to the rich storytelling and thrilling experiences that these adaptations promise to deliver.
