‘It: Welcome To Derry’ Showrunner Has Surprising Link To Disney Classic
The creative mind behind the terrifying new ‘It’ prequel series has a professional history that is vastly different from his current work. Brad Caleb Kane is serving as the showrunner for the highly anticipated HBO project titled ‘Welcome to Derry’. He is responsible for crafting the nightmarish backstory of Pennywise the Clown which has traumatized audiences for decades. However his voice was once responsible for comforting millions of children around the world in a beloved animated classic. It turns out that this master of horror provided the singing vocals for the title character in Disney’s ‘Aladdin’.
Kane is currently working alongside co-showrunner Jason Fuchs to bring the world of Stephen King to the small screen. The duo has been tasked with expanding the lore established in the recent blockbuster films directed by Andy Muschietti. Their new series promises to explore the dark history of the cursed town and the entity that haunts it. This is a gritty and violent project that deals with intense themes of fear and survival. It is difficult to imagine that the same person leading this production once sang about a magic carpet ride.
The writer was actually a teenager when he landed the role of the singing voice for the 1992 Disney masterpiece. While actor Scott Weinger provided the speaking voice for the street rat hero, Kane was the one hitting the high notes during the musical numbers. He famously performed the ballad ‘A Whole New World’ with singer Lea Salonga who voiced the character of Jasmine. The song went on to win an Academy Award and topped music charts across the globe. It remains one of the most enduring and recognized songs in the entire Disney library.
Kane eventually transitioned away from performing in front of the microphone to working behind the scenes as a writer. He built an impressive resume writing for intense dramas such as ‘Black Sails’ and the crime thriller ‘Tokyo Vice’. His work on the science fiction series ‘Fringe’ also demonstrated his ability to handle complex mythology and dark storytelling. These projects helped him establish a reputation as a serious writer capable of handling mature subject matter. This path eventually led him to become a key figure in the modern horror landscape.
His involvement in the horror genre extends beyond just the Pennywise origin story. Kane has also been tapped to lead the ‘Friday the 13th’ prequel series called ‘Crystal Lake’ for A24 and Peacock. He is effectively in charge of resurrecting two of the most iconic slashers in cinema history at the same time. This solidifies his status as a major player in horror television despite his wholesome musical beginnings. It is a rare occurrence for a creative talent to have such success in two completely opposing genres.
The industry often sees actors move into directing or writing but few have such a drastic thematic shift. Most fans watching the gruesome events unfold in ‘Welcome to Derry’ will likely have no idea about the musical connection. The showrunner has embraced his diverse background while focusing on scaring a new generation of viewers. His journey serves as a reminder that talented storytellers can find success in any medium or genre they choose to explore. The magic of Agrabah seems a world away from the sewers of Derry.
Please let us know in the comments if you prefer Brad Caleb Kane as a horror writer or as a Disney prince.