Stranger Things: Duffer Bros Comment On Bob's Connection To IT

Though he may have lasted only one season, Sean Astin's Bob from Stranger Things 2 has easily become a fan favorite, and everyone knows about Bob Newby, Superhero. One episode had Bob recounting a childhood fear of a clown to Will Byers, and some people can't help but think this was a reference to Stephen King's IT. Creators of the show, the Duffer Bros comment on the connection.

Talking to Vulture, Matt Duffer explained:

"Well, we both have a problem with clowns. I've had it my entire life. I had it when I was really little, so when there were clowns at a party, it was a real problem for me. Then in 1990, we saw the It mini-series and Tim Curry's performance as Pennywise really messed me up. Like, it scarred me in a major way. It was one of the first true horror things I had seen, and I had not experienced Stephen King before. That was my first experience with Stephen King, so that was a really huge point in my life. It was two weeks, at least, of no sleep because of that. So yeah, I think [Bob's clown story] was really me describing something that just freaked me out. I didn't have that experience myself. I just had nightmares like that.

I'm sure we were just like, ‘It would be cute if [Bob] suggests moving to Maine, right next to Stephen King.' Stephen King exists in this world. Some of the characters have read Stephen King. But Bob definitely does not read Stephen King. He's not interested at all in Stephen King because he hates that kind of story."

It was no mystery that Stephen King's influence was sprinkled all over the first season of Stranger Things, so I can expect something like a Pennywise reference to be in the season two. With the IT reboot coming out as one of the most successful horror movies of the year, it would make sense that Stranger Things would make a little nod.

Though we may not be seeing anymore of Bob the Brain in future Stranger Things seasons, let's hope that Grace Byers eventually finds a way to make herself happy. After constantly being stressed out as Will Byer's mom, you'd think they'll give her a happy ending at some point.

Maybe this is all just building up to her ending up with Jim Hopper and becoming Eleven's adoptive mother? It's anyone's best guess.

Catch the second season of Stranger Things now out on Netflix.

See Also: Honest Trailer For Stranger Things Season 1 Finds This Ridiculous Similarity To The Hangover