A Bizarre Pennywise Fan Theory Connects Stephen King’s “It” to a Disney Classic
Fan theories are always fascinating, ranging from the completely bonkers to the surprisingly insightful. This one takes the cake—linking the terrifying Pennywise from Stephen King’s It to the beloved Mary Poppins from Disney’s classic films. While it might sound absurd at first, the theory has some intriguing points worth exploring.
Mary Poppins Could Be a Creature That Feeds on Joy
The theory suggests that Pennywise and Mary Poppins are both magical, otherworldly beings that feed on emotions—but vastly different ones. While Pennywise thrives on fear, Mary Poppins could subsist on joy. This idea gained traction on Reddit, where fans noted the parallels between the two characters. Both return periodically to influence children: Pennywise terrorizes the kids of Derry every 27 years, while Mary Poppins reappears to guide and inspire the Banks family decades after her first visit.
Interestingly, the theory draws inspiration from Disney’s Monsters, Inc., where joy is depicted as a more powerful energy source than fear. This could explain why Mary Poppins interacts with fewer children than Pennywise—she requires less emotional sustenance because joy is more potent.
Pennywise and Mary Poppins Use Magic Rooted in Children’s Minds
Both characters possess magical abilities that stem from children’s imaginations. Mary Poppins brings whimsical ideas to life, like animated penguins and dancing lamplighters, while Pennywise twists children’s fears into horrifying realities. This connection underscores the power of children’s minds in shaping the magic these beings wield.
Additionally, both Mary Poppins and Pennywise share ageless appearances, the ability to float or fly, and the use of objects like an umbrella or red balloon as their signature tools. These similarities further fuel the theory that they could be cut from the same magical cloth.
The Georgie Connection
One of the most striking parallels is how both characters first encounter a child named Georgie. In Mary Poppins Returns, Mary helps young Georgie Banks retrieve his kite, leading to magical adventures. In It: Chapter One, Pennywise lures Georgie Denbrough with a paper boat before dragging him into a sewer. While the outcomes are starkly different—joyful escapades versus a gruesome demise—the shared name and initial interaction are hard to ignore.
A Shared Love for Song and Dance
Mary Poppins is known for her musical numbers, using song and dance to teach and delight. Pennywise, though far less charming, also has a penchant for movement, often dancing eerily to carnival music. This shared trait adds another layer to the theory, suggesting that both entities use performance as part of their emotional manipulation.
The Balloon Obsession
Balloons play a significant role for both characters. Mary Poppins uses them in Mary Poppins Returns to create a magical departure, while Pennywise wields red balloons as a sinister lure for his victims. Though their purposes differ, the recurring motif of balloons ties the two characters together in an unexpected way.
Conclusion
While this fan theory is undeniably wild, it’s a fun and creative exploration of the similarities between Pennywise and Mary Poppins. Both are supernatural beings tied to specific locations, feeding on children’s emotions in vastly different ways. Whether it holds any truth is up for debate, but it’s certainly an entertaining way to view these iconic characters.
