The hit Netflix series “Stranger Things,” known for its combination of nostalgia, memorable characters and horror elements, came close to having a completely different title.
Initially, the series’ creators, the Duffer brothers, planned to set the story around the mysterious Montauk Project, a conspiracy theory. that involved US government experiments on the East End of Long Island.
The Montauk Project: A Hidden Source of Inspiration
The Montauk Project, from which the Duffer brothers were inspired to create “Stranger Things,” was a controversial topic that explored the idea of secret government experiments, memory repression and time travel.
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Although the series eventually focused on the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the essence of the Montauk conspiracy is still present in the plot and overall atmosphere of the series.
The connection with Preston B. Nichols and the book “The Montauk Project: Experiments in Time”
One of the main promoters of the Montauk Project theory was Preston B. Nichols, author of the aforementioned book. Nichols delved into the alleged government experiments and memory repression techniques used in the project.
The Duffer brothers, when researching the subject, found in this work a source of inspiration rich in elements that they would later incorporate into the plot of “Stranger Things.”
The Impact on the Series
Although “Stranger Things” ultimately adopted the setting of Hawkins, Indiana, instead of Montauk, the series retains many elements of the original conspiracy theory. From government experiments to time travel to the characters’ psychic abilities, the influence of the Montauk Project is evident in every season of the hit Netflix series.
This connection to real conspiracy theories has added an extra layer of mystery and fascination for viewers, making “Stranger Things” a modern cultural phenomenon that continues to captivate audiences around the world.