After Eleven: Netflix Gives ‘Stranger Things’ Fans Something Else To Look Forward To: An Animated Series
A good IP lives forever.
Fans of Stranger Things are probably looking forward to and dreading the final season of their beloved show in equal measures, but Netflix does not seem prepared to let season five be the last we hear from the gang from Hawkins, Indiana.
While details about the show have yet to be disclosed, we do know that it will be developed by Eric Robles and Flying Bark Productions. Robles has previously created the animated shows Random! Cartoons, Fanboy & Chum Chum, and Glitch Techs.
Stranger Things creators the Duffer brothers executive produce via Upside Down Pictures along with Robles of Flying Bark as well as Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps. Upside Down Pictures and 21 Laps are currently under overall deals at Netflix.
The as-yet untitled animated series was not one of the projects the creators had on their development slate when they launched Upside Down Pictures, but they were definitely in the ballpark. That list included, among other things, a Stranger Things stage play and a spin-off based on an original idea from the Duffers.
The stage play in question is called The First Shadow, and is set to premiere on London’s West End later this year. The story was developed by the Duffers, Stranger Things writer and co-EP Kate Trefry, and Jack Thorne. Speaking of the Duffers, they appear to be welcoming a new animated take on their hit show.
“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,” the Duffer brothers said in a statement. 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…”
Meanwhile, the fifth and final season of the original Stranger Things begins production this, and could premiere sometime next year on Netflix.