In episode two of IT: Welcome to Derry, Chris Chalk first appeared as Dick Halloran, leading some fans to believe the character had a deeper meaning.
Now that episode three has been released, which confirms what some had previously speculated – this is the younger version of Dick – from the 1980 psychological horror film. The Brilliant.
In a conversation with Varietysays the actor, referring to his character, “Everything I do will have a certain dignity.”
It’s worth noting that The Shining and It are both based on Stephen King’s novels.
Meanwhile, Chalk also explains how his portrait of Dick Hallorann in: Welcome to Derry differs from the portrayal of Scatman Crothers in the Stanley Kubrick-directed film, which was criticized for presenting a token black character.
“He’s literally a magical nigger,” notes the star. “But the problem with a Magical Negro is that he’s the only ************ Black person in the movie.”
However, for the creators of Welcome to Derry, Chalk adds, they made sure to remove the previous outdated trope.
Now, Dick is not a background role in the story and he is part of a group of black characters in the HBO series.
As he continues: “Already having this vast selection of black humans in the narrative, not just as props, but as an essential part of the narrative. »
“I know we’re going to avoid these tropes, because they don’t exist if everyone serves a purpose.”
“I happen to be a magical black man, but in a world full of black people, that doesn’t seem as disgusting.”
IT: Welcome to Derry is streaming on HBO Max.
