The cast of Stranger Things has been forced to address swirling online rumours that a secret, extended version of the show's final season exists, after a massive fan petition gained traction.
Fan Fury and a 350,000-Signature Petition
Following the release of Stranger Things season five, part two on Boxing Day, Friday, December 26, a segment of the fanbase expressed significant disappointment. Allegations began to circulate that creators The Duffer Brothers had cut key scenes from the all-important final season, leading to a perceived drop in quality.
This discontent culminated in a formal petition on Change.org, created by a fan named Wennii J, demanding that Netflix and the show's masterminds release the rumoured "unseen footage". The petition has now amassed more than 350,000 signatures.
"We want answers!" the petition creator exclaimed. "It's important because we waited so long for this season... This is why so many of us are disappointed because it didn't live up to the expectations."
Mr Clarke Steps In: "No Secret Snyder Cut"
In response to the growing online speculation, Randy Havens, the actor who plays the beloved science teacher Mr Clarke, took to Instagram to set the record straight. His statement was unequivocal.
He wrote: "There's no secret Snyder cut of the show," directly referencing director Zack Snyder's four-hour-long version of the 2017 film Justice League. Havens concluded his post with a blunt warning to fans: "Please don't believe everything some random a** tells you on the internet."
Season Five Faces Criticism from Viewers
The demand for additional scenes comes amidst a wave of criticism from some Netflix subscribers who have labelled the fifth season as the "worst one yet". Common complaints on social media platforms include the pacing and a lack of suspense.
One viewer posted: "It's just long and boring. I loved season four but have fallen asleep multiple times during every season five episode. We waited years for this... I'm heavily disappointed."
Another agreed, stating: "Previous seasons had their issues, but there was so much to appreciate, which I just can't say about season five." Further comments described the conversations as "rushed" and the overall feeling as "so boring".
The series is scheduled to conclude with its finale on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31, exclusively on Netflix.
