Netflix original series and Spielbergian '80s throwback "Stranger Things" was the big television hit of summer 2016. Watching the inhabitants of a small town fighting against the strange forces menacing their town delighted viewers.
However, you may not know these interesting facts behind the production of "Stranger Things":
• Before filming, the kid actors were asked to watch "Goonies," "Stand By Me" and "Poltergeist."
• Show creators Matt and Ross Duffer also work on the Fox series "Wayward Pines."
• The cast of unknown child actors playing the main characters were chosen from 906 boys and 307 girls.
• They weren't all total unknowns, though. Millie Brown, aka "Eleven," received a shoutout from Stephen King for her acting in "Intruders."
• Brown was told by the directors to model her performance after E.T.
• Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin, has Cleidocranial Dysplasia. The rare condition stops his two front teeth from growing.
• Matarazzo's voice changed so dramatically after filming that producers weren't able to use his voice in post production.
• Caleb McClaughlin came up with the idea for his character Lucas to wear a camo bandana in the final three episodes.
• Joe Keery was so likeable as Steve that producers rewrote the end of the relationship between him and Nancy.
• The Duffer brothers have a 30-page document explaining "The Upside Down" and the monster.
• The "Stranger Things" kids had a text group chat before shooting even began to get to know each other.
