Stranger Things Actor Insists ‘There’s No Secret Snyder Cut of the Show’ as Over 350,000 Sign Petition Calling for Release of Supposed Season 5 Vol. 2 ‘Unseen Footage’

A Stranger Things actor has pushed back on claims there is a secret ‘Snyder cut’ of Season 5, as a petition calling on Netflix and the show’s creators the Duffer brothers to respond garners hundreds of thousands of signatures.

Randy Havens, who plays school teacher Mr. Clarke on Stranger Things, wrote on his Instagram Stories on December 28 that “there’s no secret Snyder cut of the show,” adding: “please don’t believe everything some random ass tells you on the internet.”

Havens’ comment is a reference to the successful fan movement that led to the release of the director’s cut of Zack Snyder’s DCEU superhero movie, Justice League. Zack Snyder’s Justice League released in 2021, four years after the original version made its theatrical debut, complete with new visual effects, new editing, new material, and a much longer runtime.

Ahead of the Stranger Things Season 5 finale on New Year’s Eve, Havens appeared to respond to an unverified, fan-made Google Doc detailing allegedly shortened storylines that had gained attention on social media. The Change.org petition that calls on Netflix to release the alleged “unseen footage” has over 350,000 signatures, at the time of this article’s publication.

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The most-liked comment on the petition comes from someone who seems convinced that this footage was cut from Season 5 for nefarious reasons. “We have been waiting since 2022 to see this last season,” they wrote. “To be robbed of scenes by Netflix which really could have gelled the show all together is absolutely unacceptable, and I speak on behalf of all fans that we have been betrayed for the show we love. We don’t sit down and do nothing, we need to show the Duffer brothers, Netflix, and especially Shawn Levy. We want our full episodes, we want the scenes which change everything. We want our show back.”

This comes amid huge viewing figures for Season 5 on Netflix, but also a mixed response from fans. As we’ve reported, Stranger Things is suffering from review bombing after Season 5 Episode 7 met with lower audience scores than the Netflix series has typically seen. But some fans are striking back with 5-star reviews in a bid to reverse the trend.

Stranger Things Season 5 Finale Trailer Images

While the fifth and final season of Stranger Things has sparked complaints from some fans about the exposition-heavy writing, the varying quality of the actor’s performances, and the plot armor some of their characters seemingly enjoy, Episode 7, called ‘The Bridge,’ has become the focal point of a vociferous debate that has spilled over into review aggregate websites.

Stranger Things fans have slammed the petition and the Google Doc that appears to have inspired it, while praising Havens for hitting back on social media. “What?? The unconfirmed Google Doc isn’t true?? How could it be!” said one fan. “This is so embarrassing oh my god,” said another. Added one fan: “I’m glad someone said something. The mass psychosis of everyone saying release the Volume 2 files was getting pretty annoying ngl.”

Netflix just released the trailer for the Stranger Things Season 5 finale, which is set for 5pm PT on December 31. Episode 8, called The Rightside Up, has an official runtime of 2 hours 8 minutes. It will be screened in theaters nationwide at the same time it is shown on Netflix. The Duffer brothers have also told fans not to expect a Game of Thrones-style bloodbath, even as there are big questions over who might die in the final episode.

Image credit: Netflix.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.