Gaten Matarazzo, known for his role as Dustin Henderson in *Stranger Things*, has hinted at the conclusion of his character’s story and the possibility of a spinoff. Since debuting in the first season, Dustin quickly became a beloved figure among fans. With the upcoming fifth season marking the end of this popular Netflix series, Dustin’s future beyond the finale remains in question.
In an interview with RadioTimes.com, Matarazzo mentioned that the fifth season would serve as a fitting conclusion to Dustin’s arc. However, he remains open to the idea of a spinoff. He suggested that while Dustin’s journey will come to a satisfying close, there are potential storylines he would be interested in exploring further. Matarazzo also emphasized what conditions would need to be met for a continuation to occur. Here are his thoughts:
“It will definitely serve as a bookend. I believe it will wrap up quite nicely. I doubt Matt Ross would want to revisit anything related for quite some time. If you asked me a year from now if I wanted to return, my response would likely be, ‘I’m planning to explore other projects initially,’ but who knows what the future holds.”
“I’d love to explore what happens if there’s more to Dustin’s story after season 5—if any of us make it that far. I’m curious to see what a 30-year-old Dustin would be like. Tackling that would be really fun.”
“I’m open to anything if the concept is compelling and others are excited about it. I’d like to branch out and pursue other projects for the next few years at least.”
Implications for *Stranger Things*’ Future
Dustin Will Have a Satisfying Ending That Doesn’t Necessitate a Follow-up
Despite Matarazzo’s openness to possibly extending Dustin’s story, his comments suggest that the character’s journey will conclude with season 5. Considering the numerous delays the final season has experienced, along with the cast having portrayed their roles for nearly a decade, the priority is understandably on delivering a satisfying conclusion rather than setting up spinoffs. This promises that season 5 will focus on providing a meaningful ending for its characters, rather than laying the groundwork for new narratives.
Gaten Matarazzo was 13 when the first season was filmed and is now 22.
Matarazzo carefully uses phrases like “if any of us make it up to that point” to avoid spoilers. Yet, his satisfaction with Dustin’s story’s conclusion suggests a positive outcome for the character’s survival. Considering a potential future for a 30-year-old Dustin would be difficult if the character perished in season 5. Additionally, the absence of Dustin’s mother in the final season may indicate his survival, as it’s hard to imagine her not being present if her son were to die.
Our Perspective on Matarazzo’s Remarks
Stranger Things Season 5 Will Be Worth the Anticipation
I’m pleased to hear Matarazzo believes season 5 wraps up his character’s story well, with no immediate plans for a spinoff. The dramatic twists at the end of season 4 have set the stage for an exciting final chapter for Dustin and the other characters who have endured. Providing a fulfilling conclusion is more crucial than extending the series indefinitely. Dustin has been one of the show’s most humorous and heartfelt characters, and it’s time to see his story reach its climax, allowing Matarazzo to pursue new career paths.
Source: RadioTimes.com
Stranger Things
- Fantasy
- Horror
- Drama
Inspired by 80s pop-culture and elements of Stephen King's works, Stranger Things is a supernatural action-drama TV series set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. When a young boy goes missing, his group of friends stumbles upon a young girl with telekinetic powers who recently escaped from a mysterious facility. They soon realize that she may be their only chance at stopping an impending doom that threatens to engulf Hawkins whole.