Stranger Things Cast and Co-Creator on Season 3 Themes, Dustin-Steve Bromance

We are less than two months away from the return of Stranger Things and it’s difficult to deny the hype. The series is fresh off the release of its very own “The Upside Down” LEGO set, with a number of spinoff novels and comic books on the way as well. If that wasn’t enough, we also have a retro-style video game debuting the same day the show returns. Basically, Netflix is going all-out to get Hawkins on everybody’s minds in a big way going into this summer.

What can viewers expect from Stranger Things 3 in particular, though? A few things, according to a recent EW discussion with a handful of select individuals related to the show. For starters, series co-creator Matt Duffer offered a broader preview of the new season and its themes.

We wanted to explore the theme of change. The season takes place during the last summer before high school. The kids are growing up, and that transition is going to be messy and awkward and painful. Are they able to grow up without growing apart? Eleven closed the Gate, but the Mind Flayer is still alive in the Upside Down. It will find another way into Hawkins.… It’s just a matter of time.

On the character level, David Harbour, who plays Chief Jim Hopper, is going through his own struggles as a single father while raising Eleven, who is now in a relationship with Mike. It sounds like he will be getting a little help from Winona Ryder’s Joyce with respect to navigating these uncertain times. Plus, it sounds like Hopper’s going to be getting some well-needed physical activity as well!

It thrusts him into a discussion with Joyce. She’s able to offer me some advice on how to deal with being a single parent and how to, like, you know, stop being so damn controlling. This season, Hopper does a lot of really big, like, action-y things, but he’s fatter than you’ve ever seen him and less capable of hurting people, but a little more capable because he’s just like a big elephant.

Finally, the obvious question on everyone’s minds is whether we’ll see more of the Dustin and Steve bromance in Season 3. Of course it will, says Dustin actor Gaten Matarazzo. “That’s what I really like about Matt and Ross: They know what fans like and they roll with it.”

Stranger Things will return with its third season, titled Stranger Things 3, on July 4th, 2019. Be sure to stay tuned for all of the latest updates on the show right here on Dead Entertainment.

About the Author

Chris Morse

Programmer by day, writer by night. Having grown up surrounded by plenty of horror movies and video games, it only made sense for Chris to combine all of these passions into one place: Dead Entertainment. Whether he's working on designs, tinkering with the platform, or just writing up the latest horror news, he's sure to be hard at work keeping the wheels turning on this website no matter what time of day it is. When not coding or gaming, you can find him donning a Cheesehead and heading to the Midwest to cheer on his favorite NFL team, the Green Bay Packers. #GoPackGo

More Reading

Weekly Horror News Round-Up October 24: Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Creepshow, Candyman

Plus, Tim Burton sets his sights on The Addams Family, Kane Hodder investigates the paranormal, Ghostbusters moves to summer, and more.

Weekly Horror News Round-Up October 17: Friday the 13th, The Walking Dead, Day of the Dead

Plus, I Know What You Did Last Summer gets the green light, You adds to its Season 3 cast, and more.

Weekly Horror News Round-Up October 10: The Stand, Resident Evil, The Witcher

Plus, an early teaser drops for The Addams Family 2, The Walking Dead meets Magic: The Gathering, Netflix announces a Godzilla anime, and more.

Weekly Horror News Round-Up October 3: Resident Evil, The Craft: Legacy, The Haunting of Bly Manor

Plus, Stranger Things 4 resumes production, Michael Dougherty signs on to direct the Nightbreed TV adaptation, Terrifier 2 gets delayed, and more.