Stranger Things Creators Deny 'Snyder Cut' Conspiracy

The creators of Stranger Things have addressed a viral conspiracy theory regarding the show's final season. Rumors of a 'Snyder Cut' for Season 5 Volume 2 circulated online, accompanied by a petition nearing 400,000 signatures. Ross and Matt Duffer have denied these claims, asserting that no scenes were cut and that Netflix exercised no interference in the production. The interview also covered the backlash against Episode 7, 'The Bridge,' which included a significant character moment for Will Byers. The creators defended the narrative choices and discussed the show's conclusion.

A conspiracy theory claiming the existence of a secret edit of the final season has gained significant traction among the fanbase. The rumor centers on the idea that Netflix or the creators removed significant storylines from Season 5 Volume 2. This speculation prompted the creation of a Change.org petition demanding the release of alleged 'unseen footage.' At the time of reporting, the petition had garnered over 378,000 signatures.

The movement appears to have been fueled by an unverified, fan-made Google Doc that detailed allegedly shortened storylines. The document gained attention on social media, leading to increased scrutiny of the season's editing. One of the most-liked comments on the petition expressed a sentiment of betrayal by the network and the show's creators, Shawn Levy, and the Duffer brothers. The commenter wrote, "We want our full episodes, we want the scenes which change everything. We want our show back."

Despite the growing number of signatures, Stranger Things actor Randy Havens, who portrays Mr. Clarke, was among the first to push back against the rumors. Before the creators issued a formal statement, Havens addressed the claims on social media, attempting to quell the rising anger among fans regarding the alleged cut content.

In a comprehensive interview, the Duffer brothers directly confronted the conspiracy theory and the accusations of Netflix interference. Matt Duffer characterized the fan-made document as "obviously… not a real thing." Ross Duffer was definitive regarding the existence of cut scenes, stating, "I don’t think there’s a single cut scene in the entire season."

The brothers attributed the spread of these rumors to the massive size of the show's audience and the prevalence of misinformation online. Matt Duffer noted, "Online, there’s just so much misinformation. Just tons of it." However, they emphasized that the final product is exactly what they intended to make. They also clarified the relationship with their distributor, stating that Netflix has never interfered with their creative process.

"Netflix was, and has always been, incredible. I mean, there’s no interference or direction at all from them on us. They really trust us, and that’s been true from Season 1 on."

The creators expressed confidence that the work speaks for itself, despite the online noise. They indicated that the show's growth in scale and budget did not alter the fundamental trust established with the streaming service during the first season.

Beyond the 'Snyder Cut' rumors, the final season faced criticism regarding Episode 7, titled 'The Bridge.' The episode became the target of a review bombing campaign, resulting in lower audience scores than the series typically receives. The backlash focused on a specific scene in which the character Will Byers comes out to his friends, telling them he "doesn't like girls."

The Duffer brothers addressed the controversy, explaining that the scene was not a last-minute addition but a narrative element they had been building toward for nine years. Ross Duffer described the scene as "really important" both thematically and narratively. He explained that the show's antagonist, Vecna, represents the dark thoughts and evils of society, and that the characters must embrace themselves and one another to overcome him.

Matt Duffer referred to the scene as "the final step in Will’s journey." He elaborated on the narrative arc, noting that self-acceptance was the first step, followed by Will finding the courage to speak his truth. The creators viewed the moment as a thematic victory over the villain, describing it as the "ultimate fuck you to Vecna." Despite the negative review bombing, the brothers noted that actor Noah Schnapp is proud of the scene and is in a "really good place" following its airing.

The creators of Stranger Things have firmly dismissed rumors of a 'Snyder Cut' and reaffirmed their creative autonomy. While a significant portion of the fanbase expressed dissatisfaction through petitions and review bombing, the Duffer brothers stand by their narrative choices, specifically the pivotal coming-out scene for Will Byers. The controversy highlights the divide between the creators' vision and the expectations of a segment of the audience, but the brothers maintain that the final season represents the story they always intended to tell.