Why is one of Season 5’s most chilling moments secretly powered by Star Wars? Ross Duffer’s revelation drags Will Byers to center stage and challenges what we thought we knew about who really holds the power in Hawkins.
Stranger Things tips its hat to a galaxy far away with a showdown staged like a Star Wars gut punch. Ross Duffer points to Darth Vader’s appearance in Rogue One as the template for Vecna’s entrance, engineered to radiate dread the instant he arrives. That homage dovetails with Will Byers stepping into hard-won power, a turn Noah Schnapp and Ross and Matt Duffer frame as the culmination of his long, haunted arc. Here is how that cinematic echo reframes Season 5 and what Will’s new abilities could mean for the fight ahead.
When two worlds collide: Stranger Things meets Star Wars
For fans of Stranger Things and Star Wars, the overlap between these two universes might not have seemed obvious until now. Season 5 of the Netflix phenomenon is drawing on a pivotal moment from the galaxy far, far away. According to co-creator Ross Duffer, a standout sequence from Star Wars directly inspired a key scene, hinting at monumental shifts that will reshape Hawkins and its heroes.
Drawing inspiration from Darth Vader
Ross Duffer revealed that Vecna’s entrance in Season 5 owes much to Darth Vader and his unforgettable corridor rampage in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. That chilling advance, relentless and terrifying, serves as the template for Vecna’s return, designed to flood the screen with tension and reaffirm him as a villain to be feared.
It is not just spectacle. Duffer emphasized how borrowing iconic beats can power fresh storytelling, giving longtime fans of both franchises something exhilarating to latch onto. A touch of Star Wars woven into Hawkins promises a jolt of cinematic menace with character-driven stakes.
Will Byers steps into his power
While Vecna’s resurgence may grip viewers, it is the transformation of Will Byers that could steal the spotlight. Once fragile and haunted, Will begins to step out of the shadows, exploring new abilities born from his long-standing connection to the Upside Down and to Vecna. That bond becomes pivotal as he learns to channel it against the darkness.
His emerging powers let him confront Demogorgons in ways never seen before.
Expect major turns as Will’s arc begins to come full circle.
His growth balances vulnerability with strength, shaping a compelling evolution.
Actor Noah Schnapp expressed excitement about this evolution, calling Will’s journey both challenging and deeply rewarding. The shy teen from Season 1 looks ready to meet the next wave of threats head-on.
The Duffers’ creative reflections
Ross and Matt Duffer explained their choice to center Will in the final chapter. Will’s struggles with trauma and identity have always been at the core of Stranger Things, and giving him the tools to push back honors years of viewer investment. The approach also echoes the brothers’ fondness for redemption stories, a theme that runs through Star Wars.
Vecna’s imposing entrance, paired with Will’s emergence as a true linchpin, binds these threads together. The Duffers admit it is both nerve-racking and thrilling to see where this dynamic propels the story.
Borrowed legacy, new beginnings
As Season 5 promises explosive moments inspired by the specter of Darth Vader, it also deepens the emotional core through Will Byers’ rise. With larger-than-life visuals meeting intimate character shifts, the Stranger Things universe shows it can honor a borrowed legacy while blazing its own path. Season 5 is poised to be the series’ most ambitious chapter yet.