The chilling developments of IT: Welcome to Derry episode 5 unfolded beneath the infamous 29 Neibolt Street, centering on a military hunt for Pennywise and the consequences faced by the cast. While the tense episode resulted in a shocking loss, Rudy Mancuso, who portrays Pauly, shared that his collaboration with Andy Muschietti is set to continue beyond the series. The Andy Muschietti reunion project was a focal point as Mancuso discussed future plans and enduring creative partnerships in the shadow of Stephen King’s enduring legacy.
The episode—titled “29 Neibolt Street”—sees General Shaw’s team send soldiers into the perilous sewer tunnels under the house. There, Pennywise uses disturbing hallucinations to torment his would-be pursuers. Among the affected is Leroy Hanlon, brought to life by Jovan Adepo, whose hallucinations nearly cost him his loved ones as Rudy Mancuso’s character, Pauly, steps in and meets a tragic fate. In a haunting twist, Pauly appears as a ghoulish specter to Dick Hallorann, underscoring the series’ relentless horror.
Rudy Mancuso Reflects on Bidding Farewell to the IT Universe
In a conversation with Ash Crossan of ScreenRant ahead of the episode’s debut, Rudy Mancuso reflected on his exit from the iconic franchise. The actor described his experience in IT: Welcome to Derry as both surreal and meaningful, acknowledging the resonance of being part of an adaptation rooted in Stephen King’s universe.
Rudy Mancuso: I am not really much of an actor. I like to act in safe environments, and I like to work with my friends. Andy and I sort of made an oath to each other that we’ll always put each other in each other’s s–t. I was in The Flash, I’m in Welcome to Derry, he was in my film Música, and he’s going to be in my next film.
Mancuso’s words echo the strong camaraderie and creative trust he shares with Muschietti. The partnership is one he values, describing their shared commitment to placing each other in their respective projects. The two previously collaborated on The Flash and Música, and Mancuso confirmed another joint endeavor is already planned.
Lessons from Collaboration and the Promise of a New Musical
Mancuso shared insights into the creative bond he has forged, extending beyond Andy Muschietti to include his wife Barbara Muschietti. He emphasized the importance of working with people you care about, a lesson attributed to another filmmaker’s advice:
that working with your friends is never a mistake,
Despite the challenges that come from mixing friendship with work, Mancuso maintained it is ultimately rewarding. Productions demand significant time and the willingness to step out of comfort zones, and he prefers to undertake those journeys with loved ones, such as the Muschiettis. He went on to reveal details of his next directorial effort: a new movie musical inspired by an idea developed by Andy Muschietti and produced alongside Barbara Muschietti.
based on a story that Andy came up with
He recounted the genesis of the project as a conversation before the pandemic, with Muschietti sharing the mysterious story concept:
Rudy Mancuso: He sat me down years ago, just before the Pandemic, and he was like, “I had this idea, and I don’t know what to do with it.” And then he told me about it, and he was like, “Do you know what to do with it?” I was like, “I think I know what to do with it.” And we put it together.
Mancuso characterized the upcoming film as an “anti-musical musical,” pointing out its fusion of dark thriller elements and psychological drama. He stated that while the project will be both bizarre and simple, more news about its development will be announced soon.
Mancuso’s Journey with Muschietti: From Fandom to Family
Mancuso’s relationship with Andy and Barbara Muschietti has grown from admiration to genuine kinship, involving holiday celebrations and daily conversations about shared projects. The sense of community and mutual respect between them underpins both their professional and personal ties, and has paved the way for their sustained creative ventures.
Rudy Mancuso: Yeah, I’m very lucky that I’m very close with Andy and Barbara, who are like my family. I keep saying that because it’s the truth. We talk every day, we have multiple projects we’re doing together, and we spend every holiday together. I went from being a fan to a friend to a little brother, and that’s pretty cool, to say the least.
Mancuso’s account demonstrates how professional collaborations can evolve into deep, familial bonds—fueled by mutual trust and a shared artistic vision. It’s this environment that has shaped the direction of their future joint endeavors, including the much-anticipated Andy Muschietti reunion project.
The Influence of Stephen King’s Stories on Rudy Mancuso
Mancuso credited his initial exposure to Stephen King’s universe to the film adaptation of “Stand By Me,” which deeply affected him and his family in their youth. The psychological depth and dramatic arcs of King’s work, especially films like The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and The Shining, left a lasting impression on him, more so than the supernatural elements.
Rudy Mancuso: Stand By Me. I was very young, and my sister and I were obsessed with it. My whole family was obsessed with it. I didn’t realize at the time that it was Stephen King, as I learned about King’s work through cinema, and then I got to read a lot of the material. I couldn’t f–king believe my eyes. It all started with Stand By Me, and then, of course, The Shining. Then the original IT TV movie, which I had a complicated relationship with. Then Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, and then later Carrie. It’s actually the non-horror stuff, more of the dramatic Stephen King work that resonated with me the most, particularly Shawshank, The Green Mile, and Stand By Me. The Shining, even though it is a thriller, was more about psychological horror and less about monsters and supernatural beings. Then fast forward a few years, and I saw Andy and Barbara’s It in 2017, and I couldn’t f–king believe it. I’d never been so happy to be frightened, because it’s a really beautiful film, and it’s really sophisticated and elevated. IT isn’t cheap antics and horror tricks, or sound design and jump scares for no reason.
He further praised Andy and Barbara Muschietti for their sensitive and nuanced handling of King’s material, highlighting the depth and artistry they brought to their adaptation.
Rudy Mancuso: I agree. You wouldn’t assume it when meeting them because they’re just so kind and soft and generous.
His experiences as both a viewer and a participant have reinforced his appreciation for well-crafted storytelling, especially when guided by collaborators like the Muschiettis.
Mancuso Shares Personal Stories: Life Moments and Fears
Alongside his career milestones, Mancuso touched on significant personal events occurring alongside the series production. He noted that his engagement to his now-fiancée happened shortly after the IT: Welcome to Derry premiere, a detail he kept private until later revealed:
Rudy Mancuso: Oh, yeah. No, I didn’t want our proposal to happen at the IT premiere. She wasn’t my fiancée yet. You’re right. It happened literally like three days later. The premiere was on a Monday or a Tuesday, and I proposed to her on Friday of that same week. It was a big surprise to a lot of people, so I was secretly, subconsciously thinking about that, and then consciously answering questions about IT.
Reflecting on how his relationship developed, Mancuso recounted meeting his partner during the making of Música and how real-life romance mirrored their on-screen connection:
Rudy Mancuso: Oh, geez. Well, we made a film together called Música. That’s where we met, and I was playing essentially a version of myself, and she a version of herself. So, while we’re shooting these intimate moments where we’re getting to know each other, our actual selves were getting to know each other, as well. It’s hard to tell where life is and where art is during that film. Shooting a film together where you’re pretending to fall in love with someone, and then actually falling in love with them, is a really beautiful thing. I never thought that I would experience it, and I’m very lucky that I did. But to answer your question, pretty much then. The first week of shooting this movie, I think we both knew, “Oh, this is more than just a fling or chemistry.”
Personal anecdotes like these illustrate how Mancuso’s creative and private lives often intersect, reinforcing his emphasis on deeply collaborative and trusting environments.
On Fears and Favorite Scares: The Actor’s Perspective
Asked about his personal fears and what Pennywise might exploit, Mancuso gave a candid answer:
Rudy Mancuso: Spiders, man! I know it’s a generic answer, but I will scream Cami’s name and have her handle it when I see a spider on the wall. I’m not going near it — too many legs! And I know it’s a popular fear, but it’s very real. The arachnophobia for me is quite high, and it’s one of the more irrational fears I have.
On the show’s most memorable scares, he identified both jump scares and more insidious psychological moments among his favorites:
Rudy Mancuso: I’m not big on the jump scares, but I think disturbing and distorted imagery and faces are very scary. As far as the more direct or offensive scares, I’d probably say episode 2 with the mother in the bed who is attached to her daughter with the umbilical cord. When she jumped up from the bed and walked in that weird way and screamed, I was just like, “F–k me.” But the less deliberate scare that really gets me was in episode 3, with the flashback of the kid in the carnival. When he goes inside of the fun house and, in the back room, there’s the old man with a strange, bizarre physique in the corner. There’s no music, there are no jumps, there’s no sound effects, and it just seems to be saying, “Come closer. Come closer.” That is arguably scarier to me.
These reflections underscore the pervasive atmosphere of dread and psychological unease at the heart of IT: Welcome to Derry, a testament to both the source material and the production team’s skill.
Anticipating the Next Chapter for Muschietti and Mancuso
As IT: Welcome to Derry continues its run on HBO, Rudy Mancuso’s collaboration with Andy Muschietti has taken center stage, both onscreen and in future endeavors. The creative partnership that supported the Andy Muschietti reunion project underlines the importance of trust, artistic freedom, and lasting friendships within the entertainment industry. With the announcement of their upcoming movie musical—blending psychological elements with music and produced with Barbara Muschietti—their alliance is set to offer audiences another bold and distinctive narrative experience.
Looking ahead, fans can expect further details about this original film soon, following the trail of innovation and intensity that has marked Muschietti and Mancuso’s projects. New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry air Sunday nights on HBO, inviting viewers to experience fresh horrors and the expanding relationships behind the scenes that continue to shape the world of Pennywise.
