This is the list that compiled all things we already know about Stranger Things 5:
[Warning: Some amount of Spoilers of S5]
Will's coming of age plays a key role in the season, and he will have a big part in ST5.
Steve and Jonathan have a scene together in the first episode.
The ST5, Episode 1 opening scene has a flashback of young Will Byers singing.
Everyone is back together in Hawkins.
At one point Nancy will be wearing what looks like a candy striper uniform.
Episode 4 will feature Dustin, Nancy and Jonathan inside what appears to be Steve's car (with him potentially driving) at the McCorckle Farm, both in the Right Side Up and in the Upside Down.
Episode 1 or 2 will include Nancy, Robin, El, Will, Joyce and Mike in what appears to be a dangerous situation, with Mike considerably behind the other (but still in the shot), Will worried and El remarking "there's too many."
El, Mike, Joyce, Hopper, Dustin, Lucas, Will, Robin, Max, Nancy, Steve, Jonathan, Murray appear in episodes 1 and 2.
Hawkins High will have a Science Fiction club.
Hopper's cabin will be back. There will also be scenes in Hawkins High and the High School.
One new set for ST5 includes a farmhouse.
Set photos seem to indicate heavy military presence in Hawkins. The Hawkins high street will be used as a full set.
They will be wrapping up the stories of original characters, namely Hopper, Joyce, Will, El and Mike in "big ways." They need time to allow all the characters to conclude their open character arcs.
Hawkins National Lab will be back in some capacity.
We will see interactions mostly like season 1, with El and the boys (OG boys + Eleven). They also mentioned Joyce and Hopper and Nancy and Jonathan.
Potential time jump. The Duffers mentioned they will do a time jump, and it has been hinted at in some of the "sneaks peeks" they have offered us. Leaked photos indicate a season during end of year (November) and either a 8 months or 20 month time jump. (Note: in the Vol 2 after show interview the Duffers said: "there is going to be a time passage, I mean - there has to be - but not much.")
The season will not start as it usually does. We will not see the characters in their "everyday lives" and "things are already very bad" at the start of ST5. The town did not "reset." The opening scene was already written after finishing ST4 and the Duffers hoped it would not change.
ST5 would start "pedal and metal" and then it "doesn't slow down." The characters will be going after Vecna "from minute one." The characters will "already have a drive."
In terms of the plot, they have a few revelations they need to get to, including why the Upside Down is frozen in time (which is very significant in ST5), as well as other "Upside Down lore." ST4 Vol 2 already answered the questions on the hierarchy in the Upside Down.
The Duffers noted that it is relevant that D&D is a "cooperative game" and the importance of working with friends to solve a problem. Everyone has their role and the Party does not function without everyone in that designated role.
Another split in the season would need to be "dictated by the show"
They are trying to go "back to the beginning" and tone-wise ST5 will be a lot like season 1, but it will be like ST4 in terms of scale. It borrows many ideas from ST2, including things that were not used for that season.
The Duffers want an ending inspired by Lord of the Rings, but want it to "feel like Stranger Things." The last 20 minutes planned for a while.
Linda Hamilton is joining the cast as a new/unknown character.
No one in Hawkins is ever going to accept a supernatural explanation for what is happening.
Russia will not be a part of ST5.
There is a concept of "full circle" for several characters. The issues with Nancy, Jonathan and Steve are not resolved yet.
The new season will further explore Brenner's interest in accessing other dimensions, how he evolved his experiment program once Henry was included (using government money), and the inclusion of other children/experiments.
Dan Trachtenberg and Shawn Levy will direct at least one episode each.
Credits:- CaroSJ. Great thanks for this info.
