Stranger Things 4 starts filming as cast gather for table read

3 March 2020, 15:08

By Katie Louise Smith

Stranger Things 4 has officially started filming but there's currently no release date...

It's time! First we found out that Hopper was alive and now, Stranger Things 4 has officially started production as the cast have gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, to hold the first table read.

Sharing a new video on social media of the entire cast, Stranger Things confirmed the return of all your fave actors and characters.

David Harbour is back as Chief Jim Hopper (thank God!), alongside Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas), Sadie Sink (Max), Noah Schnapp (Will) and Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin).

Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), Natalia Dyer (Nancy), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan), Joe Keery (Steve) will also return in the first episode alongside season 3 favourites Maya Hawke (Robin), Priah Ferguson (Erica) and Brett Gelman (Murray). And, of course, the living legend, Winona Ryder will be back as everyone's fave Stressed Mom™️, Joyce Byers.

While some scenes have already been shot in Lithuania, Stranger Things season 4 filming is expected to start mid-March.

When does Stranger Things 4 come out?

Stranger Things 4 starts production with cast table read. Picture: Netflix

The title for season 4, episode 1 has already been released by the Stranger Things writers. 'The Hellfire Club' will serve as the season opener and fans have been speculating what the title could mean for our favourite characters.

'The Hellfire Club' is a direct reference to X-Men's Dark Phoenix comic saga. (The same saga was mentioned back in season 1 when Will and Dustin compete to win a copy of Uncanny X-Men 134.)

In the comics, they're an elite group of people who "seek to influence world events, in accordance with their own agenda". The club and its Inner Circle were introduced in the "The Dark Phoenix Saga", attempting to subvert the X-Men's Jean Grey.

Could that mean the Russians are after El and her powers? Do they have their own test subjects whose powers they're trying to harness or destroy completely?

With filming set to start within the next couple of weeks, we'll have to wait and see if any clues are spotted by fans on set in Atlanta.

In other news, we now know that Hopper is alive and is, as we all assumed, the American prisoner in Russia. However, just because he's alive, doesn't mean he's safe. In a press release, the Duffer brothers teased Hop's storyline and what's to come in season 4.

"We’re excited to officially confirm that production on Stranger Things 4 is now underway – and even more excited to announce the return of Hopper!" they teased. "Although it’s not all good news for our 'American'; he is imprisoned far from home in the snowy wasteland of Kamchatka, where he will face dangers both human...and other."

The statement continues: "Meanwhile, back in the states, a new horror is beginning to surface, something long buried, something that connects everything…. Season 4 is shaping up to be the biggest and most frightening season yet, and we cannot wait for everyone to see more. In the meantime – pray for the American."

Stranger Things 4 doesn't have a release date just yet but we're already sweating over what's to come.