In episode two of IT: Welcome to Derry, Chris Chalk first appeared as Dick Halloran, leading some fans to believe that the character has a deeper meaning.
Now that episode three has been released, confirming what some had previously speculated – it’s the younger version of Dick – from the 1980 psychological horror film The shiny one.
In a chat with Blacksays the actor, referring to his character: “Everything I do will have a certain dignity.”
It’s worth noting that both The Shining and It are based on Stephen King’s novels.
Meanwhile, Chalk also explains how his portrayal of Dick Hallorann in It: Welcome to Derry differs from Scatman Crothers’ portrayal in the Stanley Kubrick-directed film, which was criticized for featuring a token black character.
“He’s literally a magical Negro,” notes the star. “But the problem with a magical Negro is that they’re the only ************** black person in the movie.”
But for creators in Welcome to Derry, Chalk adds, they made sure to do away with the previously outdated trope.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 show.
As he continues, “To already have this huge cast of black people in the narrative, not just as props, but as essential to the narrative.”
“I know we’re going to avoid those tropes, because the trope doesn’t exist if everyone there serves a purpose.”
“I happen to be a magical black man, but in a world full of black people, it doesn’t seem so gross.”
IT: Welcome to Derry streaming on HBO Max.
