As Stranger Things 4 remains in the cultural zeitgeist for some more time past its recent release, news is beginning to circulate about new projects within the universe that will be in the works down the road. Firstly, The Duffer Brothers are officially launching Upside Down Pictures, a subsidiary production company under Netflix. The notable duo has hired experienced television executive Hilary Leavitt to run the organization. In a statement, The Duffer Brothers discussed their excitement for her to have an active role in their company.
It didn’t take long into our first meeting with Hilary, where we bonded over films like Jaws, Home Alone and Speed, to know we had found a kindred spirit. Hilary’s passion for storytelling is perhaps matched only by her passion for the storytellers themselves, for whom she is fiercely protective. No wonder so many writers and directors are drawn to working with her. She is a rare talent indeed, and we feel extremely grateful to have her at our side as we build Upside Down Pictures.
The Duffer Brothers
With the formation of this production company, news of the first batch of projects under their banner is being unveiled. Namely, a live-action Stranger Things spinoff series also created by The Duffer Brothers is in development. Not much is known about who and what will be covered in this new series. And with the large ensemble of characters still around, it’s hard to determine main contending options (assuming that the series will directly follow any of the current main cast of characters).
As well, Upside Down Pictures will follow the footsteps of the Harry Potter franchise, as a stage play set within the world, and the mythology of Stranger Things is currently in the works. Director Stephen Daldry of The Crown, Billy Elliot, and The Reader fame will be helming this project. It certainly will be fascinating to see if this universe and franchise can be successfully transposed into the stage medium. And overall, it will be a story worth following to see if these ancillary Stranger Things projects will have legs to stand on, especially when the series ultimately reaches its near conclusion.
Source: Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter
