Pennywise the clown haunts New York City ahead of HBO's ‘Welcome to Derry'
Pennywise -- the killer clown from Stephen King's "It" and the upcoming HBO prequel series -- was seen everywhere from Central Park to Brooklyn on Wednesday.
By Mike Gavin ••
NBCUniversal Media, LLC
Pennywise the clown was spotted across New York City promoting HBO’s upcoming series “Welcome to Derry,” a prequel to Stephen King’s “It” that explores the origins of the terrifying clown.
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Midtown, too.
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Pennywise the clown and his menacing red balloons from “It” were seen floating around New York City on Wednesday. He traveled all the way from the sewers of Maine while promoting the upcoming release of the HBO series “Welcome to Derry” – a prequel to Stephen King’s novel “It” and the franchise’s two recent movies.
The city that never sleeps might have an even more difficult time doing so, knowing an orange-haired clown in a silver silk suit is roaming the streets. On Wednesday, he was spotted with bundles of red balloons at locations like Central Park, Bryant Park, Washington Square Park and Jane’s Carousel in Dumbo.
“I love New York!” Pennywise said. “New Yorkers are great…for breakfast and dinner.”
Pennywise in New York. (Courtesy of HBO)
The series, which premieres Sunday on HBO, explores the origins of Pennywise, a shapeshifting killer clown who terrorizes the city of Derry.
He terrorized plenty of other cities across the globe Wednesday as part of HBO's “Red Balloon Takeover” promotion – making appearances in Los Angeles, Mexico City, Paris, Japan, Sydney, Hong Kong, Dubai and others.
Pennywise in Paris. (Courtesy of HBO)
It was the second time this month Derry was represented in Manhattan.
At New York Comic Con, a “Welcome to Derry” immersive activation welcomed fans to face their fears inside a child's 1960s-era bedroom, unsettled by the looming threat of Pennywise.
The "Welcome to Derry" immersive activation at New York Comic Con. (Courtesy of HBO)
The "Welcome to Derry" immersive activation at New York Comic Con. (Courtesy of HBO)
“We leaned into the idea of what makes ‘It’ so iconic in culture,” said Alex Diamond, vice president of global originals marketing for HBO Max. “And, of course, with that it is Pennywise, the red balloon and fear. So, once we focused on those entities, it was helpful for us to narrow down and then ultimately bring these experiences to life.”
And then bring Pennywise himself to New York City.
“It’s important for us to be on the ground,” Diamond said, “to gives those deep divers, those fans that want to touch and feel the world, that type of connection to it.”
A red balloon at a New York City sewer. (Courtesy of HBO)
Pennywise poses for a photo with a fan in New York. (Mike Gavin)
Pennywise felt that connection Wednesday with New Yorkers. Many approached him for a selfie or balloon, others ran down the street screaming, and in true New York fashion, some walked right by as if he wasn't even there.
“They’ve been great!” Pennywise said. “I love ‘em. Everyone floats here!”
