“Stranger Things” Addresses Aging Cast Concerns Ahead of Final Season

As the highly anticipated “Stranger Things Day” nears, the show's executive producer, Shawn Levy, has addressed concerns regarding the aging of the show's younger cast members. With the final season of the Netflix hit series on the horizon, fans have been curious about how the show will handle the evident age progression of its stars.

Key Takeaways:

• “Stranger Things Day” is approaching, sparking excitement and speculation among fans.
• Executive Producer Shawn Levy clarifies the show's approach to the aging of its young stars.
• The show will utilize costumes, wigs, and makeup to address age progression.
• AI and digital de-aging will not be employed for the younger cast members.
• The majority of the young cast are now in their late-teens to early 20s.
• The show has faced delays due to the WGA strike and the ongoing SAG-AFTRA actors strike.

Addressing the Age Gap

With the gap between the show's seasons and the natural aging of its young stars, fans have been speculating on the methods the show might employ to keep the characters' ages consistent. Levy had previously mentioned using “all the tools available to us” to address this issue, leading to speculation about potential digital de-aging.

However, in a recent interview with Deadline, Levy clarified his stance. He emphasized that while costumes, wigs, and makeup might be used to make the cast appear younger, there are no plans to digitally de-age the actors using AI or other technologies. He expressed surprise at how widely his previous comments had been interpreted and reiterated confidence in the show's approach and the talent of its cast.

A Look at the Cast's Age

The young actors, who were mere children when the show began, have grown significantly over the years. Currently, actors like Noah Schnapp and Caleb McLaughlin are 19 and 22, respectively. Given that their characters were depicted as freshmen in high school in the previous season, there's a noticeable age difference that the show will need to address.

Production Delays and Challenges

“Stranger Things” has faced its share of challenges, with production delays stemming from the WGA strike earlier this year. The Duffer Brothers, the show's creators, had halted production in solidarity with the strike. Additionally, the ongoing SAG-AFTRA actors strike has posed further challenges, with the Duffer Brothers resorting to unconventional methods like using Funko Pops to plan shots for the upcoming season.

Looking Forward

While fans eagerly await the next season, the annual “Stranger Things Day” on November 6th promises to be an eventful day for the show's community. Although a trailer or premiere date for the new season might not be on the cards this year, the day remains a beacon of hope during the extended hiatus.

In the meantime, fans can revisit the earlier seasons of “Stranger Things” on Netflix and stay tuned for more updates on the show's progress and plans for its final season.