HBO Max YouTube screenshot.
Port Hope is taking centre stage – and rolling out the red carpet – to celebrate the Canadian premiere of “IT: Welcome to Derry.”
The prequel TV series filmed frequently in historic Port Hope and brought the 60s back to life, transforming storefronts, town hall and more back into the fictional town of Derry, Maine. This production is expected to heavily feature the picturesque community on the big screen, much like the latest two “IT” movies that also filmed locally in recent years.
The red-carpet Canadian premiere announced Monday by the Municipality of Port Hope – and set for Oct. 29 at the Capitol Theatre – almost instantly sold out with people lined up down the street for tickets and “phones were ringing off the hook.” (Although, people can still try and call the box office and add names to the waitlist.)
For those who did get tickets, they’ll get a chance to “walk the red carpet” and take in an exclusive screening of episodes 1 and 2 of the highly-anticipated TV series starring Port Hope – and the audience at the Capitol Theatre will be the first to see episode 2 of the series.
As part of red-carpet festivities next Wednesday, Oct. 29, Port Hope’s economic development co-ordinator Meg Ronson says some special guests are also expected.
Doors open at the theatre at 8 p.m., while the show starts at 9 p.m. For those who didn’t get a chance at free tickets, you can still catch the series premiere and pilot airing this Sunday, Oct. 26 via HBO and Crave. Episode two follows next Sunday, Nov. 2.
The red-carpet event in Port Hope is being put on by Port Hope Tourism, in partnership with HBO Max, Crave, Ontario Creates and Warner Bros. Discovery.
“It was something that we knew we wanted to do right from the very beginning – as soon as we wrapped (up) filming last year – and we got excited about what was going to come out of all that hard work,” explains Ronson.
And “Hollywood” was receptive, notes Ronson.
For the premiere in Port Hope, the theatre only fits just under 400 people. There’s supposed to be an “industry screening” happening earlier in the day before the “community screening” in the evening.
Some tickets were also reserved for business owners and staff who also worked on the production or were dressed for filming, notes Ronson.
In the past, filming activities inspired by Stephen King’s novel have brought in horror fans and visitors from across the nation and beyond, as well as some heavy-hitting stars.
For the TV series, brother-and-sister duo Andy and Barbara Muschietti are back behind-the-scenes and at the helm of the production, along with creator Jason Fuchs, and in front of the camera, Bill Skarsgård returns as the iconic “Pennywise.” Artists Chris Chalk, Joshua Odjick, Madeleine Stowe, Stephen Rider and more are also part of the show, which is meant to serve as a prequel to the 2017 and 2019 films and is set in 1962.
If you haven’t checked out the trailer just yet, it’s accessible online – the opening shot is all Port Hope.
If you still feel like you’re missing out, Port Hope’s first-ever “Spooky Season” is still in full swing until Nov. 1, with a heavy emphasis on iconic balloons, the popular “IT Walking Tour” and additional activities.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt, with files from Joseph Goden)
