Stranger Thingscreators Matt and Ross Duffer have plans to correct a mistake they consider too sad to leave in the Netflix series. The series rose to immense popularity following its 2016 debut, raising a massive fanbase in the process. The devotedness of its fans has forced the Duffers to confront the mistake of forgetting the birthday of one of its lead characters.
Shortly after the premiere of the first volume ofStranger Things' fourth season, viewers were quick to point out a mistake the Duffers and other members of the cast and crew failed to catch. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), and Will (Noah Schnapp) visit a roller rink on March 22, which was identified as Will’s birthday in season 2. Will was largely ignored during the trio’s visit roller rink, third-wheeling on a date between Mike and Eleven, making the mistake incredibly sad.
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To correct theStranger Thingsmistake, the Duffers revealed they have discussed “George Lucas-ing the situation.” Matt Duffer revealed that they have considered changing Will’s birthday to May 22. His reason for doing so is “because ‘May’ can fit in Winona’s mouth” back in “The Mind Flayer” (season 2, episode 8). Matt went on to reveal that should the Duffers make the change to Will’s birthday, it wouldn’t have been the first time they’d done so. “We have George Lucas’d things also that people don’t know about,” he said. While neither Matt nor Ross revealed what they had changed, Ross suggested that those who own hard copies of earlyStranger Thingsseasons may be able to find them.
The date of Will’s birthday was a useful bit of information in season 2 when Joyce, Jonathan, and Mike tried to appeal to Will, who was under the Mind Flayer’s control. Each of them recounted memories with Will that they hoped would grab Will’s attention. In a Showrunners Sitdown interview, the Duffers gave their reasons for the potential change of Will’s birthday, insisting that it’s too sad to leave in. “It’s too sad!” Matt said. “And it doesn’t make any narrative sense. But we were talking about it yesterday, and I think we’re going to George Lucas that.” With the plans to change the month of Will’s birthday, the Duffers plan on how to “George Lucas the situation” is clear and will serve as an easter egg forfutureStranger Thingsfans.
Despite settingStranger Thingsin motion after being taken by the Demogorgon in season 1, Will only circles around to have a main character arc when catastrophe strikes. Even without a significant amount of screen time, Will’s influence onStranger Thingsis clear. TheStranger Thingsseason 4 vol. 2 trailerfeatures Will spilling information to Mike about the latest danger Hawkins and their friends face. Given his time in the Upside Down and his encounters with its evil creatures, Will knows considerably more about the threats the gang often faces.
Will’s significance toStranger Thingsonly makes the fact that no one remembered his birthday on or off-camera even more upsetting. However, the tonally different fourth season ofStranger Thingshas far worse things for viewersto worry about. If the gang will reunite, if and how they will defeat Vecna, and if they all make it out alive are all questions that volume 2 will have to provide some answers for. Whatever is left, the Duffers will provide an answer for in the fifth and final season ofStranger Things.
Stranger Thingsseason 4 vol. 2 will premiere on Netflix on June 18, 2025.
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