Entertainment Tonight<\/em><\/a> published January 2. And according to Ross, the finale really did mean what it said.<\/p>\n\u201cI feel like this season really, truly does close the door on this story,\u201d Ross explained, referring not only to Hawkins but \u201cthe story of the Upside Down and the story of these characters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Still, he couldn\u2019t resist adding a little hope for fans who aren\u2019t ready to let go. \u201cI guess never say never,\u201d Ross quipped, joking that a return could happen \u201cin 20 years, if we\u2019re all broke and need some money,\u201d calling the idea his and Matt\u2019s \u201csafety net.\u201d<\/p>\n
For now, though, the Duffer Brothers are standing firm that the core story is complete \u2014 and the cast seems to agree. Finn Wolfhard, who played Mike Wheeler, previously shared his thoughts on returning to the franchise in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there\u2019s a story when we\u2019re all in very, very different stages of our lives, maybe,\u201d Wolfhard told Entertainment Tonight. \u201cBut I think that the whole point of the show ending is because it\u2019s run its course.\u201d<\/p>\n
Netflix also appeared eager to put the ninth-episode rumors to rest. On January 7 \u2014 the date fans were convinced something big would happen \u2014 the streamer quietly updated the bios for Stranger Things\u2019 official social media accounts to read: \u201cALL EPISODES OF STRANGER THINGS ARE NOW PLAYING.\u201d Message received.<\/p>\n
While that update effectively ended the so-called \u201cConformity Gate\u201d theory<\/a>, the Stranger Things universe isn\u2019t disappearing entirely. Netflix is set to release One Last Adventure<\/em>, a documentary chronicling the making of season 5, on January 12. And the Duffers have confirmed that two additional projects are still in development.<\/p>\nOne of those is a live-action spinoff that will explore Henry Creel\u2019s mysterious past. \u201cThe spinoff is going to delve into that and explain that, and you\u2019re going to understand it,\u201d Matt told Variety in an interview published January 1. \u201cBut it\u2019s a completely different mythology.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cIt\u2019s very fresh and very new, but yes, it will answer some of the loose threads that are remaining.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whether those threads include lingering questions \u2014 like how the Hawkins crew avoided consequences after years of chaos, Hopper reclaiming his job, Max graduating after a coma, or how Vecna was defeated so easily \u2014 remains to be seen.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n