This Might Be Proof That Hopper from "Stranger Things" Isn’t Dead

Jasmine Gomez
Photo credit: Netflix
Photo credit: Netflix

From Seventeen

If you're still reeling over the ending of Stranger Things season 3, don't worry, I'm right there with you. While everyone was busy shipping Robin and Steve, I was busy wondering whether this would be the season where Hopper and Joyce finally get together officially. I mean yes, I was shipping Bob and her, too, during the second season, but then one of the Demodogs got to him and killed that small dream. Season 3 was like a case of deja vu. Spoiler Alert: Joyce is out there trying to save Hawkins, yet again, and then her love interest tragically dies, or did he really? A new fan theory comparing the ending of season 3 to Star Wars might prove that Hopper isn't dead after all.

WARNING: Stranger Things 3 Spoilers Ahead!

Stranger Things 3 may have borrowed a story line from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. It's not too far-fetched since we already know the Stranger Things's creators love paying homage to 80's films.

In Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo seemingly dies while speaking the words, "Then, I'll see you in hell." But in Return of the Jedi, it turns out that he didn't actually die at all and Luke Skywalker and Lando Carisian actually saved Han from Jabba the Hutt. Jabba the Hutt was the slug-like alien who fed his prisoners into the Sarlacc Pit.

Is this plot beginning to sound a little familiar? Right before Hopper perishes in the explosion at Starcourt Mall, he says the words "See you in hell," drawing a direct parallel to that Han Solo moment in Star Wars.

Some fans even think that the "American" referred to in the post-credits scene at the end of season 3 is actually Hopper. In the scene, the Russians feed a prisoner to the Demogorgon possibly drawing another parallel to Jabba the Hutt.

But wait there's more. Creator Matt Duffer made have confirmed that the season 3's parallels to Stars Wars were intentional. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Matt said that they always wanted to give Hopper "a Han Solo sacrifice moment." "We always talk about Empire Strikes Back – we always wanted to give him a darker ending, we always wanted to give him a Han Solo sacrifice moment.”

If that wasn't enough, there's one more clue. When Steve is at the rental shop looking for a new job with Robin, he mentions a specific movie. You guessed it: The Return of the Jedi.

If this theory pans out, then it's seriously genius. It was first posted to Twitter by Politico editor, Bill Kuchman, and I'm convinced he's figured it out.

I'm willing to bet Hopper isn't dead and his pals Joyce and Murray, aka Luke Skywalker and Lando Carisian, might be the ones to save him.

You Might Also Like