Superhero fans may be split between the DCU and MCU, but when it comes to horror, there’s one overarching multiverse that audiences have long been waiting to dig into — the Stephen King universe. That’s right. In case you were completely unaware, the legendary genre author has long been tying his projects together and, finally, things are about to unravel thanks to the upcoming series, It: Welcome to Derry. The nine-episode first season is slated to bow on HBO Max later this fall and will dig into a chapter left untouched by Andy Muschietti’s two-film series, It. According to the director, who developed the episodic telling alongside Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs, the tale will weave in other familiar storylines and even characters from other titles in King’s expansive catalogue.

For starters, It: Welcome to Derry will see Chris Chalk take on the role of a younger version of Dick Hallorann, who fans of The Shining will recognize as the Overlook’s head chef and someone who — like the character Danny — also possessed the ability to “shine.” During a chat with TV Insider, Muschietti called Dick Hallorann’s introduction “a no-brainer,” adding, “Dick was an outstanding character, not only because he’s in The Shining but also because [his] power is definitely ingrained in the story.” Continuing to explain the multitude of crossovers, Mushietti said,

“The purpose of the show, among others, is to open a window to the other side… and give the audience the feeling that everything they know about the book and stories and movies is just the tip of the iceberg.”

‘The Dark Tower’ Will Play a Pivotal Role in ‘It: Welcome to Derry’

Trailers have already teased the inclusion of the Shawshank Penitentiary, known from King’s novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. Those who have read It know that the location pops up more than once along the way, making it an integral part of the series. Fans of the author’s series The Dark Tower will also eat well during It: Welcome to Derry as Muschietti said,

“Everything that is on the other side, it’s connected to the Dark Tower because it’s the same universe, the macroverse … Of course, being It, we are seeing all this from the perspective of humans, mostly. In this series, there will be more than speculation. We’re gonna have that and give the audience glimpses of the other side.”

Of course, now we’re wondering if Mike Flanagan’s take on The Dark Tower will eventually fold itself into It: Welcome to Derry, but only time will tell.

via Collider