Stranger Things season 5 is about to hit the big Marvel and Star Wars problem

Opinion: expanding your world needs to be in your fanbase’s best interests

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Stranger Thingshas been a simple TV show to follow – and I don’t mean that in a condescending way.

There are many reasons behind theNetflixseries' worldwide success, but a large part of what has made it so appealing is its self-contained story. Until recently,Stranger Thingshas consisted of a single TV show with one compelling, overarching narrative. Viewers who have turned up late to the proverbial party, then, haven’t had lots of content – outside ofStranger Things season 4and the three installments preceding it, anyway – to catch up on.

However, that’s set to change before the year ends. We already knew that theStranger Thingsfranchise was set to expand beyond the scope of its mainline series, with a live-action spin-off and a stage play in the works at Upside Down Pictures, the production company founded byStranger Things' creators Matt and Ross Duffer.

Now, Netflix has announced when its stage play spin-off – titledStranger Things: The First Shadow– will debut. It’s coming to London’s West End in late 2023, and is based on an original story from the Duffer brothers, fellowStranger Thingsscribe Kate Trefry, andHis Dark Materials' Jack Thorne. Set in 1959, the theater play is a prequel that’ll explore the backstory of Henry Creel, aka Vecna, in greater detail. It’ll also star younger versions of fan-favorite characters Jim Hopper and Bob Newby, as well as an original character called Joyce Maldonado.

Welcome to Hawkins, 1959. Before the world turned upside down…Stranger Things: The First Shadow. A new story live on stage.London | Late 2023 | https://t.co/6dx4JppFhw pic.twitter.com/DTcWn21wXEMarch 1, 2023

So we’re getting brand-newStranger Thingscontent before 2023 is over, which will tide us over untilStranger Thingsseason 5arrives. Great, so what’s the problem? It’s an issue thatMarvelandStar Warsfans know all too well: having to consume content outside of a film or TV series' main story to stay in the loop.

You see, untilMarvel Phase 4arrived, theMarvelCinematic Universe (MCU) was, likeStranger Things, easy to follow. However, the MCU’s expansion into television with shows such asLokiseason 1means fans have to watch Marvel’s TV shows to understand what’s going on in future MCU films.

For instance, you need to know what happens inWandaVisionto know why Scarlet Witch is the antagonist inDoctor Strange 2. Streaming Loki’s first season before seeingAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, too, will help you fully appreciate Kang the Conqueror’s arrival andQuantumania’s post-credits scenes.

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It’s an issue that extends toStar Wars' TV line-up.The Mandalorianseason 3, which debuted onDisney Pluson March 1 2023, follows on fromThe Book of Boba Fett. Audiences, then, need to stream Boba Fett’s standalone series first to recognize what’s going on in the premiere ofThe Mandalorian’s third season. Okay, its opening episode recaps elements fromThe Book of Boba Fettfor those who didn’t tune into the Temuera Morrison-starring TV show. Even so, it’s not enough to catch those viewers up on everything, including why Din Djarin and Grogu are back together inThe Mandalorianseason 3 episode 1.

Some MCU and Star Wars fans simply don’t have the time to watch every film or TV show in these franchises. There’s a risk, then, that they’ll be confused when they watch the latest film or show in Marvel or Lucasfilm’s series.

And that’s a major problemStranger Thingscould find itself running into, especially as its first spin-off is going to be a stage play. There will be UK fans who won’t catchThe First Shadowbefore it departs the West End. Similarly, international audiences might not have the chance to watch it live, depending on what US city or country they live in.

Subsequently, those fans won’t be clued up on every aspect of Henry Creel’s backstory heading intoStranger Things5. The Netflix show’s final season could follow Star Wars' lead in briefly recapping what those fans missed from the stage play, but it won’t be thorough enough for said viewers to get the full picture. Diehards who have followedStranger Thingsfrom day one deserve answers to the franchise’s biggest mysteries. If Netflix reveals all behind some of the series' biggest secrets in the stage play, some fans won’t be pleased – and rightfully so.

I’m glad that theStranger Thingsfranchise is evolving. I’m equally pleased that it’ll continue after its fifth season launches on the world’sbest streaming service. However, ifStranger Things: The First Shadowcontains important information regarding this universe’s lore that every fan needs to know about, it’ll be hugely disappointing. The only chance some fans will have to catch up on what they’ve missed will be to read about these reveals online.

And that would be a crying shame. Fandoms are a big part of what makes movie series or TV shows so successful these days, yet there’s the possibility that someStranger Thingswill feel left out of the conversation if a) they can’t seeThe First Shadowand b) the stage play contains vital details about the franchise’s lore.

Even worse, they won’t be able to fully appreciateStranger Thingsseason 5 when it’s eventually released – Netflix saying in a press release: “This gripping new adventure will take you right back to the beginning of the Stranger Things story – and may hold the key to the end”. If that’s the case,Stranger Thingsis in danger of following Marvel and Star Wars' mistake of excluding – inadvertently or not – some of its fanbase, and that doesn’t sit right with me.

For more entertainment-based coverage, read up on thebest Netflix showsaround. Alternatively find outhow to watch the Marvel movies in orderorhow to stream the Star Wars films in order.

As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

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