Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, the highly anticipated animated spinoff from the hit Netflix series, is set to explore new dimensions of the beloved universe. This new venture, inspired by 1980s cartoons, aims to bridge the gap between seasons two and three of the original series. Yet, the creators faced a significant challenge: introducing new creatures without a direct portal to the Upside Down.
The Duffer Brothers, Matt and Ross, who masterminded the original series, were determined to create an animated show that captured the essence of the 1980s. However, the timeline posed a unique problem, as the story needed to unfold after Eleven, portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown, sealed the gate to the Upside Down. Enter Eric Robles, a seasoned veteran in children’s animation, known for his work on Fanboy & Chum Chum and Glitch Techs.
Unlocking the Mystery: Science Meets Upside Down Matter
Robles, tasked with solving this narrative puzzle, delved into the show’s lore. “I dissected the show, looking for any loopholes. I found a few of ’em,” Robles shared with Entertainment Weekly. His breakthrough came with the idea of blending Hawkins Lab science with Upside Down matter, suggesting a chain reaction affecting creatures in our world and beyond.
While specific story details remain under wraps, Robles hints at a season-long mystery rather than a simple “monster of the week” format. The spinoff promises “a lot of freaking cool monsters,” all intricately connected to the overarching narrative.
New Voices, Familiar Faces
The animated series introduces a fresh cast of young actors voicing familiar characters. Brooklyn Davey Norstedt takes on the role of Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport voices Max, and Luca Diaz plays Mike. Other notable voices include Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Benjamin Plessala as Will, and Brett Gipson as Hopper. Additionally, Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips lend their voices to undisclosed roles.
While the Duffers oversee the project, Robles serves as the principal showrunner and executive producer. He emphasizes that while the series includes elements of horror, it is not solely a horror show. “It’s got its bite to it,” he admits. “The stakes are real for the kids. It’s not Scooby-Doo, man. It’s not like, ‘Oh, well, it’ll be fine.’ We don’t know if it’ll be fine.”
Visual Inspirations and Production
Flying Bark Productions, known for their work on What If…?, is handling the animation for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. Robles drew visual inspiration not from Marvel, but from the iconic posters of Stranger Things by artist Kyle Lambert. “Those posters have it all. They have these brilliant colors, there’s darks, there’s vibrancy to it,” Robles explains. “I’m just like, ‘That’s the show!’ If I can bring those posters to life, I got something pretty awesome. And that’s exactly what we did.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of ‘Tales From ’85’
Set between the fall of 1984 and the summer of 1985, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 explores the untold stories of that period. Should the animated series succeed, Robles envisions future seasons continuing under the Tales From ’85 banner, with the narrative unfolding hour by hour, day by day.
As fans eagerly await the premiere, slated for 2026, the series promises to expand the Stranger Things universe in exciting and unexpected ways. Stay tuned for more updates as the world of Hawkins continues to evolve.
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