The brand new footage from season four of Stranger Things confirms a popular character’s return for the new series. With no release date yet in sight, the trailer has ignited yet another string of arguments and theories amongst fans of the Netflix drama.
When viewers last left Netflix’s 80s nostalgia trip, the residents of Hawkins had been fractured after their battle with the Mind Flayer.
Not least of all was Chief Jim Hopper (played by David Harbour), who was presumed dead after sacrificing himself to destroy the Russian’s ‘key’ to the Upside Down.
However, many fans presumed he escaped with his life after an intriguing scene set within a Russian facility.
Two guards walk through a prison hallway and refer to an ‘American’ locked in one of the cells in a mid-credits teaser after the finale.
READ MORE: Stranger Things season 4: Hopper’s fate revealed in chilling clip
It’s possible that the former Chief of Police has undergone some form of brain surgery to make him more compliant.
Hopper’s expression is fierce but somewhat vacant, suggesting that he may have been forced into a lobotomy, putting him under the whims of his Russian captives.
Another way he may betray Eleven is by providing the Russians intel regarding the Upside Down, giving the superpower a dangerous upper-hand in the battle against the invading parallel dimension.
A tracking shot through the Russian wilderness and into the camp reveals that Hopper is just one of many prisoners being forced to construct some form of railway track.
DON’T MISS:
Vikings season 6: Star confirms ‘beautiful ending’ [INTERVIEW]
The Big Bang Theory: True meaning behind finale title [THEORY]
Outlander season 5: Murtagh’s death ‘confirmed’ by star? [SPOILER]
It’s not like Hopper to be told what to do without kicking up a fuss, so this theory would suggest that the same procedures to make him more suggestible may also lead him to double cross his adoptive daughter Eleven.
The video came from the official Stranger Things YouTube channel accompanied with a puzzling James Bond reference, from Russia with love…
This could indicate that, far from betraying Eleven, Hopper is trying to send secret messages from captivity, either to his daughter or Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder), with love.
Nothing is confirmed yet, but now fans do know that the series will be expanding even further, with season four marking the first time any action takes place outside the States.
With much of Hawkins separated, Hopper resurfacing could serve as a call to arms for Eleven, Joyce and the town’s kids to reassemble and break him out of his Russian cell.
Whatever Hopper’s role in the new season, it does put to rest theories that David Harbour would not be returning to the show after fans spotted his absence on the IMDb cast list.
As well as being held prisoner by the Russians, David will also be playing one, appearing as superhero Red Guardian in the upcoming Black Widow for Marvel.
Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix.