Stranger Things’ star David Harbour was almost never cast as Hawkins police chief Jim Hopper as the showrunners have opened up on their original plans for the sci-fi show.
Published in a TV bible constructed by Stranger Things creators the Duffer brothers as they began pitching the show, they revealed that the show was only going to run as a limited series and they hoped that the ‘limited nature of the project will allow us to target film actors for the adult leads’.
Such as Duffer brothers?
‘For example, Ewan McGregor, Sam Rockwell for Hopper [and] Naomi Watts or Marisa Tomei for Joyce,’ they wrote.
The TV show has since been running for three seasons and will hit Netflix for another season in 2020 but the success of the show, and the continuing success of small-screen projects, means that those big-screen actors have gone on to appear in limited shows; McGregor appeared in Fargo while Rockwell starred in Fosse/Verdon.
Stranger Things 3 explored the kids of Hawkins becoming young adults as they balanced battling their hormonal turmoil while also saving the planet from The Mind Flayer.
But – spoiler alert – things ended on a dramatic note as a major character was killed off, but mounting evidence suggests not all is what it seems.
In the final episode, Jim was seemingly killed after sacrificing himself so Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) could close the gate between the Upside Down and the real world.
But is Jim Hopper actually dead? There’s a growing amount of evidence, coupled with that post-credits scene, which indicates David Harbour’s character isn’t entirely a lost cause.
Got a showbiz story?
If you’ve got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
