Picture this: A terrifying journey into the heart of Derry that lasts over six hours, packed with chilling secrets and untold horrors – that's the audacious dream of an 'IT' supercut that could redefine the Stephen King universe!
Back in 2019, fans were buzzing when director Andy Muschietti first floated the wild concept of an enormous extended 'supercut' combining both 'IT' films. This wouldn't just be your average director's cut; it would weave in never-before-seen deleted scenes from the movies, and – get this – potentially even brand-new footage that hasn't been shot yet. Muschietti himself described it as clocking in at around six and a half hours, a true marathon of terror that promised to dive deeper into the eerie world of Derry, Maine.
Of course, that ambitious supercut never materialized. Instead, horror enthusiasts were treated to something arguably even more thrilling: the premiere season of the prequel series 'IT: Welcome to Derry,' set in 1962 and streaming on HBO Max. As the show winds down with its finale this Sunday night (December 14), it's hard not to wonder what might have been.
But here's where it gets controversial – does reviving this extended cut still hold appeal after such a stellar series?
In a recent Ask-Me-Anything session on Reddit, Muschietti opened up about his lingering passion for the project. 'It's still a huge dream of mine,' he shared with fans, explaining that the intense work on the 'Welcome to Derry' series has kept him from pursuing it. Still, he's keeping his fingers crossed for the future.
If you're scratching your head wondering what such an extended version might include, let's break it down for those new to the idea of director's cuts or supercuts – these are expanded editions of films that add back footage removed for pacing or other reasons, often revealing richer backstories or hidden details. Muschietti gave us a glimpse back in 2019 during an interview with Consequence of Sound. He mentioned a scene set in the 1600s that he filmed but ultimately cut because it risked confusing viewers. Think of it like a magician's trick: sometimes, revealing too much can spoil the illusion and leave audiences disappointed rather than captivated. It's a delicate balance filmmakers navigate to keep the magic alive.
And this is the part most people miss – the emotional depth hidden in those cut scenes.
Muschietti also recalled a poignant deleted sequence from 'IT: Chapter Two' involving Maturin, the celestial turtle from Stephen King's original novel (and his 'Dark Tower' series, for those unfamiliar – it's an ancient, mystical being that plays a subtle role in the story's mythology). In this scene, actor James McAvoy, playing Bill Denbrough as an adult, faces his deepest fears in a flooded basement. After confronting his guilt by symbolically killing his younger self, he's adrift with no escape. Suddenly, the eyes of Pennywise – or so it seems – emerge from the darkness, but it's actually the turtle swimming by. Bill is mesmerized, and soon, he's following the kids as they swim toward the light, emerging back in the cavern.
'It was a stunning scene,' Muschietti reflected, 'full of emotion, but I had to cut it for pacing reasons. The story needed to move quickly at that point, and this slowed it down.' For beginners in horror storytelling, this highlights how directors often sacrifice beautiful moments to maintain suspense and momentum – a tough call that sparks debates among fans.
Whether this epic supercut ever becomes a reality remains uncertain, but one thing's for sure: Pennywise isn't going anywhere. The first season of 'IT: Welcome to Derry' has been a smash hit for HBO and HBO Max, drawing strong ratings and building hype. With the Muschietti siblings planning a three-season storyline, renewal for a second season feels almost inevitable.
Here's a thought to chew on: Would an ultra-long supercut enhance the 'IT' legacy, or would it dilute the punch of the original films by overexplaining the scares? And what about those deleted scenes – should they stay buried for the sake of mystery? Share your take in the comments below – do you side with Muschietti's dream, or do you prefer the concise terror of the theatrical cuts? Let's discuss and see if we can uncover more buried treasures in Derry!
The author has been a dedicated member of the horror community since 2008, serving as Editor in Chief at Bloody Disgusting – a go-to hub for all things spooky. Fun fact: They even own a creepy prop corpse from Eli Roth's 'Piranha 3D.' With two fabulous feline companions and a penchant for toy collecting, they're proof that horror fans know how to balance chills with playfulness. Keep an eye out for more updates on 'IT,' Pennywise, and the twisted tales of 'Welcome to Derry.'
