The Duffer Bros. Can Prove That They Didn't Steal The Idea For STRANGER THINGS
Earlier this week the Duffer Bros. were slapped with a lawsuit claiming that they stole the idea of Stranger Things from a man named Charlie Kessler. Kessler, who made a short film called Montauk and wrote a script called The Montauk Project, says he pitched the idea to Ross and Matt Duffer at a party at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. The Duffer's lawyer then released a statement calling the accusations "completely meritless" and "just an attempt to profit" from the success of Stranger Things.
Now it looks like the Duffer Bros. can prove that they didn't steal the idea thanks to emails that have been uncovered showing that they were developing a Montauk story 3 1/2 years before Kessler claims he even pitched the show to them.
According to TMZ, there were two emails in November, 2010, in which the brothers start to lay out their vision for the story describing it as a "real," "paranormal" "gritty eighties" show. One of the emails even specifically says the show is set in Montauk and there is a reference to "the Montauk experiments."
They also have a Google document dated October, 4, 2013, which would become the premise for Stranger Things. That doc offers the following description:
"Benny (renamed Will for the show) leaves his friend Elliot's house, a bunch of kids are there, eating pizza, dungeons and dragons ... Benny leaves on bike, hears voices, goes into strange world, taken by some evil force."
Then there are two other emails from 2014 which were both written before the alleged meeting between the Duffer brothers and Kessler. It offers details for their vision for the show and it says that it would be "set in 1980s Long Island" and that it would have "a vintage Stephen King feel." Those emails were sent on February 27 and April 4 and the latter mentions a location scout in Montauk.
The Duffer's attorney, tells TMZ:
"These documents prove that Mr. Kessler had absolutely nothing to do with the creation of 'Stranger Things.' The Duffer Brothers were developing their project years before he claims to have met them."
So, there ya go! It looks like the Duffers could be in the clear, but we'll have to wait and see what Kessler comes up with if he decides to press forward with the lawsuit.