Stephen King is known for his frequent cameo appearances in film adaptations of his work, but the acclaimed author was hesitant to appear in It Chapter Two, released in 2019. King believed that every film featuring his cameo had underperformed financially, which made him wary of joining the production despite director Andy Muschietti’s efforts to include him. Ultimately, the author agreed to appear, and the movie’s strong box office showing disproved the notion of a “curse.”
The film’s shoot took place near King’s home in Maine, actually in Port Hope, Canada, which removed the possibility of declining due to travel. Although King initially resisted, the team convinced him to take part, breaking the streak of underwhelming box office returns that he suspected followed his cameos.
How Stephen King’s Role Was Crafted for It Chapter Two
In It Chapter Two, King appears as the proprietor of the Secondhand Rose antique store, a shop visited by Bill Denbrough, played by James McAvoy. Screenwriter Gary Dauberman revealed during a press conference that he specifically wrote the shopkeeper’s role with King in mind, noting,
“I wrote it into the action line, you know, this guy, the shopkeeper,”
and added,
“and I said, ‘seems to look a lot like Stephen King.’”
During the scene, Denbrough finds his childhood bike in the store and offers to compensate by signing one of his books, but King’s character rejects the offer, criticizing Denbrough’s latest novel’s ending. This moment humorously references a common criticism leveled against King’s writing, particularly concerning his endings. King later described this as a “huge pleasure,” relishing the chance to mock the criticism in character, as reported by Vanity Fair.
The cameo was almost more extensive. Andy Muschietti had an idea to include a flashback showing a young Bill Denbrough encountering the store’s shopkeeper decades earlier. This part was planned to feature King’s son, Joe Hill, in the role of the younger proprietor. However, time constraints prevented the flashback from being filmed, leaving only King’s scene in the final cut.
King’s Warnings to the Director About His Comeo “Jinx”
King voiced concerns to Muschietti about his cameo appearances having a negative impact on box office success. The author warned,
“He said, ‘Actually, you have to know that I’m a jinx. Apparently all the movies that he was in with a cameo ultimately bombed. He wanted to warn me. I said, ‘I don’t think we need to worry about that. We can avert it. We can lift the spell,’”
according to Muschietti’s interview with Vanity Fair.
King’s belief in this cinematic curse likely stemmed from observations of past projects where he had small roles, though the record is more mixed than the author’s worry suggests. For example, in 1989’s Pet Sematary, King played a minister, and the film grossed $57.4 million on an $11 million budget, which was successful. Contrastingly, Thinner (1996) earned $15.3 million on an $8 million budget, including King’s brief appearance as a pharmacist, which was a more modest outcome.
Despite some movies failing to meet expectations, the perceived curse seemed more psychological than factual—until It Chapter Two proved otherwise by earning $473 million worldwide from a $79 million budget, dispelling the notion that King’s cameos hurt a film’s financial chances.
Expanding the It Universe Beyond Stephen King’s Cameo
Muschietti has continued to build upon the It franchise beyond the two feature films, notably with the prequel HBO series It: Welcome to Derry. This series delivered a dark and intense exploration of the story’s backstory, surpassing the intensity of It Chapter Two’s climax with a powerful finale. Though King gave his approval for the show and even offered creative input, he chose not to appear in it on screen.
This decision was likely influenced by his recent involvement in the sequel and a preference to avoid repeated commitments for cameo scenes. While King’s presence added authenticity and charm to the feature film, the TV series proceeded with minimal direct participation from him.
The Importance of King’s Cameo in Changing Perceptions
Stephen King’s cameo in It Chapter Two was more than a brief appearance—it symbolized a turning point in how the author viewed his own involvement in adaptations. By poking fun at himself through his character’s criticism of Denbrough’s novel ending, King confronted longstanding critiques while simultaneously breaking the superstition that his presence spelled doom for films’ box office prospects.
The success of It Chapter Two not only benefited the franchise but also lifted a psychological weight for King, who had grappled with the anxiety surrounding his roles as an on-screen participant. Now, future adaptations may see King more willing to step in front of the camera, free from the fear of jinxing their success.
