Stranger Things is one of the phenomena from Netflix that took the world by storm when it first came out back in 2016. The sci-fi series rooted in nostalgia took small-town America, which so many people can relate to, and made it epic with elements of horror and a conspiracy that eventually spans across the United States. Stranger Things feels cinematic in a way that isn’t seen in most television series, a sentiment reflected in the branding of each season. It’s not just the second or third season of the series, it’s Stranger Things 2 and 3.
With the fourth season airing just over a year ago, fans are eager to learn anything related to Stranger Things season 5. So if you fall into that second camp, The Cosmic Circus has just a little something for you during the season of giving. We can confirm the NEW working title, as well as the production company that season 5 will be filming under. So grab your jean jackets and hairspray and jump in your Pinto, we’re going on an adventure into the Upside Down to find out just a bit more about Stranger Things 5.
[Warning: Spoilers from Stranger Things 4 possible spoilers from the production of Stranger Things season 5 are below!]
An explanation of working titles, for those living in 1980s Hawkins Indiana
I know we’ve gone through this before, but for those who don’t know or may have forgotten, we’re here to provide the whole service. So what exactly are working titles and why do studios use them? The reason for WT is so that studios can film series and films without being recognized by the general population. For example, what do you think would happen if Marvel Studios filmed Avengers: Endgame on the streets of New York City under its proper name? People would go crazy attempting to get as close as possible.
However, studios can instead film under a working title, potentially hiding the production from the public. In recent years, fans have been more attuned to working titles, so the functionality isn’t as useful as it once was, but the use of them continues in true tradition. It’s common practice that the working titles have something to do with the project, either something within the universe it’s filming or specific to the film or series that might hint at spoilers. Regardless, working titles are an integral part of the development and filming in Hollywood and are here to stay for the foreseeable future.
So now that we know why we use working titles, it’s time for the main event, the reason we’re here, the working title of Stranger Things.
Stranger Things season 5’s working title is…
There have been previous reports about the working title of the fifth season, with websites and sources stating it as “JERICHO.” In an exclusive from Midgard Times, the series was listed with the “JERICHO” working title back in February 2023 when production was gearing and casting was underway in Atlanta. While at the time this might have been correct, and we have no reason not to believe so, a lot has changed since February 2023.
More specifically, Hollywood has undergone some huge changes in the past year, with strikes for both the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG. The landscape was uncertain for so long and so much has changed, it would make sense that the working title some productions might also change. Additional working titles may be added as we’ve seen before with some Marvel productions, making the previously reported title still correct and in use as well as a new one.
In either case, we can exclusively report that the NEW working title for Stranger Things season 5 is “Cedar Lodge”, with the production company remaining Bride Lake Productions.
What exactly does “Cedar Lodge” mean? We’re honestly not so sure, but it could perhaps be a nod to the ending of season 4. For those who need a quick refresher, season 4 ended with the Upside Down coming to the real world, leading to what is sure to be an epic showdown between the residents of Hawkins Indiana, and the monsters coming for them. Is it possible that the only way to survive the Upside Down leaking into the real world is to escape to a remote cabin in the middle of nowhere to regroup? Seems possible.
Check out more of our Stranger Things season 5 reporting and let us know what you think!
As previously reported by EIC Lizzie Hill, production is beginning to ramp up once again on the series in Atlanta, with principal photography expected to begin on January 8, 2024. However, a lot of the prep work has already been done, and actors for the beloved series may show up in Atlanta sooner rather than later.
Stranger Things seasons 1-4 are currently on Netflix, with no current release date for season 5. What do you think Cedar Lodge is referring to? Let us know your thoughts on social media @mycosmiccircus or in The Cosmic Circus Discord!
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