Shawn Levy Is Back On Stranger Things, And His BTS Photos Of Scruffy David Harbour And A Fun New Pairing Add Fuel To One Fan Theory

Shawn Levy Is Back On Stranger Things, And His BTS Photos Of Scruffy David Harbour And A Fun New Pairing Add Fuel To One Fan Theory

As a dedicated fan who has grown up with these characters since their introduction to the small screen, it’s impossible not to feel a surge of excitement whenever there are behind-the-scenes updates about Stranger Things. The wait for Season 5 has been long, but seeing Shawn Levy back on set and sharing photos of the cast only intensifies my anticipation.


Even though fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Stranger Things Season 5 on Netflix, we can enjoy tidbits from behind-the-scenes as they become available. It appears that filming is ongoing, and recently, Shawn Levy has given us something to look forward to. As the executive producer, he’s returned to set, likely preparing to direct a few more episodes. He even posted some on-set snaps featuring our beloved cast members, such as a rugged David Harbour and an unexpected duo. These photos have reignited my curiosity about the possible extent of the time jump. Let’s dive into the latest updates!

Shawn Levy Is Back On Stranger Things, And His BTS Photos Of Scruffy David Harbour And A Fun New Pairing Add Fuel To One Fan Theory

What Shawn Levy’s First Photos Could Mean

Similar to The Duffer Brothers’ behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, Shawn Levy shared several photos on Instagram. Notably, he tagged the people in the pictures, making it possible for me to confirm that the bearded individual he’s conversing with is indeed David Harbour. Additionally, there’s a photo of Finn Wolfhard and Maya Hawke together, which might hint at a potential partnership between Mike and Robin in Season 5. Here are the images:

From David Harbour’s long, shaggy hairstyle and scruffy beard in Levy’s second photograph, it seems possible that the time gap between seasons four and five may be substantial. This thought has been on my mind since Ross Duffer’s earlier photos showed Lucas’ watch indicating a specific date, suggesting a leap forward to November 1989 might be several years.

A significant time leap might be the reason for the noticeable aging of young actors, an aspect that even a skillful costume team finds challenging to conceal. Moreover, Finn Wolfhard and Maya Hawke are both dressed in trousers and long sleeves in their joint scene, which could imply that the narrative is set during Indiana’s November season.

In a more playful and less conjectural manner, I must admit that I find it amusing that Lucas maintains his distinctive hairstyle from Season 4, regardless of the length of the time leap. That hairstyle is undeniably his, even without Caleb McLaughlin’s tag being visible. Interestingly enough, Shawn Levy didn’t limit his picture sharing to Instagram; in fact, his account on X (previously known as Twitter) also contains additional photos as a bonus.

Shawn Levy Is Back On Stranger Things, And His BTS Photos Of Scruffy David Harbour And A Fun New Pairing Add Fuel To One Fan Theory

Shawn Levy’s Extra Pic

Out of the four pictures Shawn Levy recently posted on X, three are identical to those he shared on another social media site, except for one featuring Finn Wolfhard. It’s heartening to see them both grinning since their characters may not have many reasons to smile in Season 5. However, I find myself drawn more towards the backdrop of the different photo. Take a look:

As I gaze at the photo featuring Wolfhard and Levy, it’s clear that we’re back to Hopper’s cabin for the fifth season. After being left in a shambles following the Mind Flayer’s assault at the end of Season 4, it seems like some TLC has been given, making it look much more inviting this time around.

Regardless of the length of time that’s elapsed since the change of seasons, it appears that Hopper and Eleven’s residence has undergone some renovations, as evidenced by photos featuring Millie Bobby Brown sporting longer hair than she had at the end of Season 4.

Shawn Levy Is Back On Stranger Things, And His BTS Photos Of Scruffy David Harbour And A Fun New Pairing Add Fuel To One Fan Theory

What We Know For Sure

Given all the speculation surrounding it, it’s worth pondering what we can definitively confirm about the fifth and final season. One thing that remains uncertain is the exact release date on Netflix, though it’s said to be targeted for some time in 2025. This means fans might have been patiently waiting for more than three years to find out the consequences of the Season 4, Volume 2 finale.

Despite claims that half of the fifth season’s eight episodes had already been filmed by mid-July, Shawn Levy has consistently directed the third and fourth episode in every season since the very beginning. This pattern suggests that if he is directing again for Season 5, it’s likely that the filming process may not be following a conventional order.

In the upcoming episodes, it’s confirmed that Sadie Sink will reappear, which means that Max’s narrative isn’t concluded yet, even though she was left comatose at the end of season 4 with Eleven being unable to reach her. If there has been a significant time leap, I’d be eager to discover how those years have impacted Max. If Vecna somehow holds onto her consciousness, I can only speculate that her mind could be as damaged as her body following her severe injuries.

Linda Hamilton is now part of the cast for the fifth season, which seems perfectly appropriate given that a renowned ’80s figure like the actress from “Terminator” should grace our screens before we say goodbye to this era. Notably, other icons from the ’80s who have starred in “Stranger Things” include Sean Astin from “The Goonies”, Robert Englund from “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, Cary Elwes from “The Princess Bride”, and, of course, Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers.

Netflix plans to carry on with their strategy of releasing entire seasons at once for binge-watching enjoyment by viewers. However, it’s not unwelcome if Netflix decides to divide the final season into two parts, releasing them a few weeks apart instead. While I personally found the wait for Season 4B a bit challenging after devouring the first seven episodes immediately, I appreciated the discussions and theories shared with fellow fans during the break. Knowing that it wouldn’t be another long wait until the next installments made the anticipation more bearable.

Dividing seasons into two parts is not universally loved, as responses to the split for Season 3 of Bridgerton indicate. For the moment, we can only anticipate updates and keep guessing about the upcoming installments set in Hawkins, Indiana. Although some early previews suggest that the main characters are still attending high school, I’m inclined to believe there might be a significant time leap before then, unless proven otherwise.

Read More

2024-08-31 00:37