Stranger Things Nearly Imitated Star Wars with Vecna

Key Takeaways

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The creators of Stranger Things were inspired by The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Star Wars for the series finale, particularly in shaping the central conflict between the heroes and Vecna.
Originally, Vecna was considered to reverse his allegiance to the Mind Flayer, mirroring Anakin Skywalkers eventual support of his son in Star Wars. However, the creators ultimately decided against this approach, choosing instead to portray Vecna as deeply committed to his course of action.
Vecnas story may continue in the upcoming Stranger Things spin-off, The Upside Down, where he may converse with Billy in Season 5.
Steve Weintraub from Collider has conducted interviews exploring fan theories, deleted scenes, potential spin-offs, and unresolved questions surrounding the series finale, offering further insights into the shows development.

Vecna’s Allegiance Shift and Darth Vader-Inspired Rebellion in Stranger Things Finale

Matt and Ross Duffer, the creators of Stranger Things, have cited The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King as a primary inspiration for the series finale. Star Wars also heavily influenced them during the writing process, nearly shaping the central conflict between the heroes and Vecna. In a Netflix interview, the Duffer brothers mentioned considering a draft where Vecna, a.k.a. Henry Creel, would reverse his allegiance to the Mind Flayer, mirroring Anakin Skywalker’s eventual support of his son in George Lucas’s Star Wars. Ross Duffer stated, “We talked about having a moment with Billy defying the Mind Flayer, like Darth Vader.”

Vecna’s Unwavering Choices and the Path He Chose in Stranger Things Finale

Ultimately, they decided against this approach. After discussing it with the writers and Jamie Campbell Bower (who portrays Vecna), the Duffer brothers concluded that Vecna was too deeply committed to his course of action to turn back, and that he required justification for his actions. The only way to achieve this was to have him assert, “I chose this, and I still believe it.” The creators tested Vecna’s determination, so any perceived wavering in his conviction when confronted with a past memory or hearing Will Byers in his mind was intentional. They chose to emphasize Vecna’s resolute path, leaving it to the audience to decide whether young Henry chose this path or was manipulated by the Mind Flayer from the beginning. This allows either outcome to serve the narrative effectively. The creators also clarified in the Netflix interview that Vecna was unprepared for the surprise ambush at his home, and that there is no extensive demogorgon society on the Mind Flayer’s planet. Vecna’s story may continue in the upcoming Stranger Things spin-off, The Upside Down, where he may converse with Billy in Season 5.

Steve Weintraub Interviews on Stranger Things’ Unanswered Questions and Future Developments

Steve Weintraub from Collider has conducted interviews exploring fan theories, deleted scenes, potential spin-offs, and unresolved questions surrounding the series finale, offering further insights into the show’s development.

In Case You Missed It

If you’re a fellow Stranger Things fan eager to unravel the mysteries behind your favorite show, you’re in luck! First up, Jonathan Dubinski’s January 2nd article, “Some Things in Stranger Things Season 5 Happen Off-Screen,” takes us on an intriguing journey into the minds of creators Matt and Ross Duffer. Discover how scenes like Joyce and Hopper finding out about their connection to Henry Creel happened off-screen or were left unexplored Some Things in Stranger Things Season 5 Happen Off-Screen. Then, Marcus Thompson’s insightful piece, “Stranger Things Finale Explained by Creators,” published on the same day, sits down with the Duffer brothers to decipher that enigmatic finale. Learn why Eleven’s sacrifice led them to choose an ambiguous conclusion, leaving viewers to ponder the fate of Hawkins’ beloved characters Stranger Things Finale Explained by Creators. And in a fascinating turn of events, Sophie Laurent’s recent article, “Stranger Things Will Remain Special, Says Hideo Kojima” (2026-01-03), explores the emotional connection between renowned game creator Hideo Kojima and our beloved series. Dive into how Stranger Things resonated with Kojima during his transitional period, offering inspiration and courage as he navigated his own challenges Stranger Things Will Remain Special, Says Hideo Kojima.