HBO’s Welcome to Derry will expand on the already-known IT world later this year. Isaiah Mustafa has expressed the reprising of his role as Mike Hanlon for the installment. Mustafa played Mike Hanlon in IT: Chapter Two and he has been making hints at an IT 3 while promoting it for his Instacart Super Bowl commercial. 

According to Screen Rant, Mustafa admitted never knowing the possible story to continue beyond IT: Chapter Two but is willing to continue his role. “I could never say never, especially with a franchise like IT. You never know when you’ll see Mike Hanlon pop up, and that’s the truth,” Mustafa stated. This leaves room for speculation for a possible third movie or even a part two to continue the story from It: Chapter Two. 

Welcome to Derry is an expansion to the IT world. The series, directed by Andu Muschietti and set in Toronto, is set to “continue the story in ways fans will appreciate and love.” Fans seem excited about this series. 

IT: Chapter Two seemed to be the final ending to the series but as of now with the series and Mustafa’s comments it is unlikely the movie series is officially over yet. Due to Pennywise’s 27-year killing cycle, any new confrontation in Derry won’t happen until 2043. The franchise can still find ways to input Mustafa’s character in their series or other Stephen King adaptations. 

Mustafa’s character can land in a different Stephen King adaptation because Mike Hanlon’s story lands in King’s book Insomnia which is set in Derry after Pennywise’s death which leaves room for many characters including Mustafa to reprise his role in another project. The universe of IT continues to expand which breaches the possibility of seeing Mustafa’s character again.