‘Stranger Things’ Confirms Live-Action Feature Coming Soon, Trailer Already Revealed

Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the prequel to the beloved Netflix series, is being filmed for streaming. Soon, fans of the franchise can expect a small-screen adaptation of the critically acclaimed, award-winning Broadway production that explores the early years of characters such as Jim Hopper, Joyce Byers, and a young Henry Creel in 1959.

Per Collider, producers recently canceled public performances temporarily to prioritize filming the Netflix version. Watch the official Broadway trailer for the play below:

While The First Shadow is only considered supplementary and not essential viewing for the main series, it fleshes out Henry Creel’s backstory, depicting his high school years alongside Hopper and Joyce before being recruited by Dr. Brenner at Hawkins Lab.

The First Shadow isn’t the only Stranger Things project on the horizon. The 3D animated spinoff Tales From ’85 will premiere on April 23, giving fans a reimagined Hawkins through the eyes of its younger residents — including Eleven, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Max, Will, Steve, and Hopper — voiced by a brand-new cast. Watch the trailer for Tales From ’85 below:

Related: ‘Stranger Things' Is Being Retconned Following Divisive Fifth Season : Disney Fanatic

Meanwhile, the franchise continues to expand into comic books, tie-in novels, and video games, including the recent Dead by Daylight x Stranger Things Chapter 2 crossover. There's also a live-action spinoff series currently in development for Netflix, which will revolve around the mysterious “briefcase rock” only hinted at in the Season 5 finale.

With Season 5’s divisive finale in the rearview, Netflix is likely hoping that The First Shadow and Tales From ’85 will maintain the franchise’s success going forward. For fans who thought Hawkins’ story had ended will soon find themselves drawn back into the Upside Down once again.

Have you seen The First Shadow? Let us know in the comments!