Why Vecna’s Darth Vader Redemption Felt “Fallacious” To The Duffer Bros

Within the Stranger Issues sequence finale, Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) died because the villain, however at one level, there was a consideration for a Darth Vader-like redemption. Simply moments earlier than his demise, the ultimate episode revealed new particulars about Henry Creel’s backstory, in that he gained his powers by way of the Thoughts Flayer after absorbing a mysterious rock within the cave the place he additionally killed a scientist.

Henry’s thoughts was corrupted by the Thoughts Flayer, and he continued to amplify his powers, particularly after turning into Dr. Brenner’s first topic on the Hawkins Lab. Regardless of an opportunity to redeem himself, the now-Vecna asserted that he and the Thoughts Flayer are one. Finally, he and the Thoughts Flayer are defeated by Eleven and her buddies, with Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) getting the ultimate blow to finish him as soon as and for all within the Stranger Issues sequence finale.

When the creators have been requested in the event that they ever thought of a Darth Vader-type redemption for Vecna within the Completely satisfied, Unhappy, Confused podcast, Ross Duffer admitted, ”Yeah, we initially talked about giving him a second the place he may flip in opposition to the Thoughts Flayer and assist them defeat it.” Nevertheless, he and his brother ultimately felt that the ending would have felt “mistaken” as a result of “he’s to this point gone at this level. He’s carried out a lot evil…” Learn the complete response under:

“Yeah we initially talked about giving him a second the place he may flip in opposition to the Thoughts Flayer and assist them defeat it. And I believe finally once more as you type of play that out, it feels mistaken and we didn’t consider it. He’s to this point gone at this level. He’s carried out a lot evil that for him to show round, even when there may be a part of him deep inside that’s harmless, that harmless youngster… I simply suppose it’s been buried beneath a lot violence and anger through the years and by way of ambiguity, we did wish to go away it up just a little bit to the viewers too, by way of Henry, after all, is saying he’s in management as properly the Thoughts Flayer. How a lot of that we go away as much as the viewers, however I believe you see quite a lot of it play out in Jamie’s face in that ultimate scene within the thoughts shaft. He’s simply unbelievable in conveying all these completely different feelings and layers.”

Till the finale, many viewers had theorized that Vecna would have a last-minute redemption as a result of parallels to Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in Star Wars. Specifically, the foremost reveal about Henry Creel affirmed that he was additionally consumed by the “darkish aspect” and turned him right into a monster.

Even earlier than the finale, actor Noah Schnapp, who performs Will Byers, acknowledged that Vecna was probably the most misunderstood character within the sequence, which implied one thing deeper behind his origins. As a result of Will and Vecna’s relationship resembling Harry and Voldemort’s, the 2 remained related, with the previous capable of see Henry’s personal reminiscences. Will realized that Vecna was additionally a sufferer of the Upside Down and the Thoughts Flayer and tried to show him into their aspect, however the villain remained loyal to his grasp.

Whereas Vecna’s backstory was lastly revealed, there are nonetheless some questions in regards to the rock that obtained him contaminated by the Thoughts Flayer. Of their interview with Selection, the Duffer Bros. have been hesitant, revealing that it has been stored a thriller since it will likely be important for a derivative. Whereas they’re “closely creatively concerned,” the creators is not going to be the spinoff’s showrunners.

“It’s a very completely different mythology. So it’s not a deep exploration of the Thoughts Flayer or something like that. It’s very contemporary and really new, however sure, it’ll reply a few of the free threads which are remaining.”

Whereas Netflix and the creators have but to disclose what this secret spinoff is, an upcoming animated sequence, Stranger Issues: Tales from ’85, is predicted to be launched someday this yr. The present takes place in the principle present’s timeline between seasons 2 and three.

All 5 seasons of Stranger Issues are streaming on Netflix.