Paramount is hoping that the Duffer Brothers can bring their magic from TV to the big screen with movies. They’ve already signed the two to a development deal, but now that deal is bearing fruit with a new feature film. Paramount Pictures has dated the Duffer Brothers’ (Ross and Matt) feature debut at the company for November 3rd, 2028.
While there aren’t any plot details about the project, the two brothers will write and direct the film. Paramount is describing it as an event film, but that’s really all we know about the project. The Duffers are notorious for secrecy and this project looks like it’ll be more of the same.
They spent the last decade at Netflix exclusively with various projects, but the biggest and most culturally relevant was Stranger Things. The show lasted for five seasons and now has spinoffs and other media planned. They signed the new deal with Paramount ahead of the hugely anticipated series finale of season five. The exclusive, four-year deal will see them create movies, TV, and streaming projects with their production company Upside Down Pictures.
The new deal with Paramount is an interesting one because it brings them back with the people who gave Stranger Things a shot in the first place. Cindy Holland and Matt Thunell are both now at Paramount as the chair of direct-to-consumer and TV Studios president, respectively. They were among the executives at Netflix when they brought Stranger Things on in 2015.
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The Duffer Brothers moving to Paramount was likely a huge blow to Netflix and their partnership over the years. But that’s Paramount’s gain because the two visionary filmmakers get to stretch those creative wings with a new partnership. The fact that they’re already getting a film made is a huge deal as well. If the movie is anything like Stranger Things, we can expect some nice mystery and nostalgic feelings.
The release window for the film is also a big indicator of what Paramount thinks of their idea. Releasing in November like this is a huge sign of confidence from the studio. That November-December window for film has been a home run for studios recently and continues to this year with Dune: Part Three and Avengers: Doomsday coming out similarly.
We’ll keep you updated on all things Paramount and Duffer Brothers as we get more news.
Paramount is also in the news right now because their merger with Warner Bros. Discovery has been officially approved by the US Justice Department. How this affects something like the Duffer Brothers deal with Paramount remains to be seen. The merger is still up for scrutiny by state governments with AG Rob Bonta of California saying that there’s more to go in the process.
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