The Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things have just announced that they are creating a new production company called ‘Upside Down Productions.’ Among the slew of initial projects, the brothers’ duo announced a Stranger Things stage play, a loosely-connected spinoff, a previously-announced series adaptation of Stephen King, and Peter Straub‘s 1984 novel The Talisman, a live-action Death Note, and more.
Fans of the series will certainly be aware that Upside Down Pictures is named after Stranger Things, and specifically the alternate plane of existence that keeps finding ways to terrorize the denizens of Hawkins, Indiana.
In a statement, twins Matt and Ross Duffer said they “aim to create the kind of stories that inspired [them] growing up — stories that take place at that beautiful crossroads where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, where big spectacle co-exists with intimate character work, where heart wins out over cynicism.”
The production company is a part of an overall deal with Netflix, and the streamer is set to be involved with pretty much everything, including the stage play. That theatrical production is said to be “set within the world and mythology” of Stranger Things, a phrasing that leaves open the question of whether we’ll recognize any characters. Stephen Daldry (The Crown, Billy Elliot, The Reader) will direct, and he’ll also produce alongside Sonia Friedman and Netflix.
As for the live-action serialized spinoff, a press statement notes that it comes from Duffer ideas. As they’ve previously noted, the spinoff will be “1000% different,” and they plan to “pass the baton” to a new creative team. The Stranger Things saga will end with Season 5.
