We’re Still Obsessed with Stranger Things: What’s Next for the Phenomenal Netflix Series?
Stranger Things, Netflix’s iconic series, has captured the hearts of viewers worldwide and is now entering its eighth year as a streaming sensation. With one season left to go, the founding members of the Hawkins Hellfire Club are preparing to conclude their dice-rolling adventures in 2025.
Although delays caused by strikes from the Writer’s Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild may impact the premiere date, fans eagerly await the highly anticipated fifth and final season. However, after the last season, the talented young cast, including Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard, may go their separate ways.
The series’ creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, also have future projects in store, such as an adaptation of Stephen King and Peter Straub’s novel, The Talisman, and a new Death Note based on the popular Japanese manga and anime series. Nevertheless, the Upside Down is far from over, as Netflix has plans for various spin-offs in different media formats to keep the franchise alive.
De-Aging and the Future of Stranger Things
Rumors of the show using AI to keep the cast looking youthful were quickly dispelled by producer and director, Shawn Levy. While the show will make use of available tools to bridge the age gap between actors and characters, AI-assisted de-aging technology won’t be employed. Levy reassured fans that the cast is brilliant and the characters created by the Duffers are so vivid that age won’t be an issue.
Although there will be a gap between Season 4 and Season 5, due to plans of shooting the two seasons back-to-back becoming unfeasible, the Duffer brothers have already mapped out the final season’s ending with full support from Netflix. They even managed to make Netflix executives cry during a press event when they shared their plans.
Shadow-Boxing and the First Shadow
While the Stranger Things writers room continues working on Season 5 scripts, a prequel play titled Stranger Things: The First Shadow is set to open on London’s West End on Nov. 17. Written by Kate Trefy from a story by the Duffers, the play will expand the series’ mythology around Henry Creel, who becomes the main antagonist in Season 4 as Vecna.
The play is set before the events of the series but promises Easter eggs aplenty. Viewers will be introduced to a new character, Patty Newby, who develops feelings for Henry. Patrick Vaill, who plays the younger version of Dr. Martin Brenner, hints that The First Shadow will reveal the origin of the Upside Down. Additionally, audience members can expect thrilling visual effects and monstrous creatures.
Stranger Things Day and 40 Years of Upside Down
Today marks the 40th anniversary since Will Byers vanished from Hawkins, kicking off the Hellfire Club’s incredible journey through the Upside Down. Netflix has proclaimed November 6 as “Stranger Things Day,” encouraging fans to celebrate with behind-the-scenes images and exclusive content on social media channels. Tudum, the official fan site, is offering extracts from tie-in novels and exciting video and audio exclusives. The Is It Cake? crew is also conjuring up some Stranger Things cake content.
Don’t miss out on Stranger Things, currently streaming on Netflix.
