Matt and Ross Duffer, aka the Duffer Brothers, recently left Netflix for Paramount because the former refused to give their movie projects a theatrical release.
Paramount has now announced the release date for a mysterious new “event” film from the Duffers, the duo behind Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” Currently untitled, the film is slated to open wide on November 3, 2028.
No other details on this project are available, other than that the Duffers will direct from their own script. It hasn’t been shot yet, and no cast has been announced, but I’m sure details will start trickling in shortly.
I’m highly skeptical these guys have the goods — outside the Stranger Things bubble, they’ve never proved they can deliver.
Regardless, Paramount is going all-in on the duo whom they recently signed to a massive overall pact that would cover both streaming and theatrical films — something Netflix never let them do.
The timing? “Stranger Things” wrapped after Season 5, leaving the Duffers without their beloved series for the first time in nearly a decade. It doesn’t help that, and I can’t be alone in thinking this, despite its lasting popularity, “Stranger Things” peaked early and became less consistent after the second season.
The only other directing gigs the Duffers have had is the decently reviewed 2015 indie horror “Hidden,” and they also wrote a handful of episodes for Fox series “Wayward Pines.” That’s it. Time will tell if Paramount made the right move.