Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Netflix, Stranger Things, Film and TV, Social Media, Conspiracy Theories
Joe Yates
Topics: Netflix, Stranger Things, Film and TV, Social Media, Conspiracy Theories
Warning: This article contains Stranger Things spoilers
Speculation surrounding Stranger Things has reached fever pitch online, but one cast member has now stepped in to pour cold water on what many fans believe is Netflix’s biggest secret yet.
After the second volume of the show’s fifth and final season dropped on Christmas Day, rumors of deleted scenes, hidden storylines and even an alleged 'extended cut' quickly took over social media.
The theories gained so much traction that more than 300,000 fans signed a viral petition urging the streaming giant to release what they claim is a significant amount of unseen footage from the final season.
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Titled 'We want the unseen footage of Stranger Things', the petition argues that important character moments were either rushed through or removed altogether - as viewers say several storylines appeared to be heading for a beautiful ending, only for those moments to seemingly vanish from the finished episodes.
As the rumors spread, fans began compiling alleged evidence, including Google Docs claiming to outline missing plotlines and side-by-side comparisons of pre-season cast interviews with what actually aired.
For many, this only reinforced the belief that Netflix cut hours of content before releasing Volume Two.
But not everyone involved with the show agrees - and one Stranger Things star has made his position very clear.
Randy Havens, who plays beloved science teacher Scott Clarke, directly addressed the speculation and dismissed the idea of any secret version of the show existing.
Responding to the online frenzy, he said: "There is no Snyder Cut of the show, please don’t believe everything some random a** tells you on the internet."
For many viewers, frustration had already been brewing after certain moments in Volume Two sparked confusion - particularly a scene involving Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers.
The moment left fans divided over whether the pair had broken up or secretly become engaged, prompting show creators Matt and Ross Duffer to step in and clarify the storyline.
"That's a breakup," the brothers told People, adding: "They have broken up.
“It’s hard to recall when exactly that idea came, but I think us - and the writers - all felt that Nancy needed to end up on her own and be independent and have an opportunity to find herself."
Although rather than settling the debate, the explanation only fueled further disappointment for fans.
Despite Havens’ firm denial, speculation continues to swirl - but for now, viewers will have to wait until New Year's Day (January 1), when the extended Stranger Things season five finale airs.