Our Stranger Things Animated Series Scoop Confirmed By Variety
Variety confirmed our exclusive report on a Stranger Things animated spin-off.
It’s been over a year since we first exclusively reported that a Stranger Things animated spin-off was in the works. Today, Netflix has confirmed our scoop (via Variety) that an animated series modeled after 80s Saturday Morning cartoons is in the works, with the Duffer brothers on board as executive producers. The series is being developed by Eric Robles and Flying Bark Productions, the creator behind Nickeleodeon’s Fanboy & Chum Chum and Random! Cartoons, as well as Netflix’s Glitch Techs.
In a statement provided by Netflix, the Duffer brothers explain, “We’ve always dreamed of an animated Stranger Things in the vein of the Saturday morning cartoons that we grew up loving, and to see this dream realized has been absolutely thrilling. We couldn’t be more blown away by what Eric Robles and his team have come up with — the scripts and artwork are incredible, and we can’t wait to share more with you! The adventure continues…”
The statement is the extent of what we know about the upcoming animated series, which still gives us a tantalizing clue. “The adventure continues” makes us think that the series will be set after the conclusion of Stranger Things‘ final season. Another spin-off, the stage show, has been confirmed to be a prequel set 30 years before the first season’s events; while the live-action series is still being held under wraps, the Duffers confirmed it would not be about Eleven.
Perhaps the animated series will pick up on the dangling plot thread from Stranger Things Season 2 when Eleven went to Chiacgo and came across another gifted young woman, Kali, or “Eight.” Portrayed by Linnea Berthelsen, Kali hasn’t been seen in the show since her introduction episode, yet her character may still be important someday. As the only one of the children experimented on at the Hawkins Lab that doesn’t exhibit telekinetic powers, she’s unique with her ability to create illusions, but why her?
Even if the upcoming animated series doesn’t finally answer why Kali’s different and how she ties into the overall world of Stranger Things, it’s great to hear that the world will continue to be explored when the main series concludes. Gatan Matazarro is terrified of the show ending, while David Harbour is excited about moving on to new projects. In fact, none of the current cast has given any hints they will be involved in spin-offs, with Millie Bobby Brown expressing a desire to get into directing while also denying any spin-off will feature Eleven.
It’s currently unknown when the Stranger Things animated series will arrive, but if we’re reading the Duffer brother’s statement correctly, it will likely be 2025 at the earliest. Season 4 of the main series starts filming in a few weeks, with a likely release date of mid-late 2024, which means any follow-up won’t arrive until the following year.
Beyond the world of Hawkins, Indiana, the Duffer brothers are also working on another live-action Death Note adaptation for Netflix, which will be a series this time and hopefully make up for the horrid 2017 movie. The brothers are also adapting Stephen King and Peter Straub’s The Talisman into another series for the streaming giant. Regardless of what comes next, fans across the world are anxiously waiting for Stranger Things Season 5, and, most importantly, which 80s anthem is going to become a hit this time around.
