Goonie Tunes
What’s in store for the four young heroes in season two?
Did the success of season one take you by surprise?
NOAH SCHNAPP (Will) When we were filming the first season, we all kind of expected it to go nowhere. It would just be a one-season thing and we wouldn’t ever meet each other again. GATEN MATARAZZO (Dustin) Once it came out, there wasn’t even that much advertising – I only saw one billboard in LA, so I was very surprised by how quickly it took off. CALEB McLAUGHLIN (Lucas) I knew it was special. I just didn’t know it would affect viewers the way it did.
Did you feel pressure coming into season two?
McLAUGHLIN yes, especially when we were filming, but now I try not to worry about it too much. I can’t do anything about it now!
SCHNAPP there was more security with everything. And there’s more pressure on the Duffers, because usually the second one is never as good as the first.
MATARAZZO I felt bad for the Duffer brothers because they really were stressing out, you could see it. they definitely did a good job with the second season – I’m very proud of them, because I feel like it’s better than the first.
How does this season compare with the first?
FINN WOLFHARD (Mike) It has the exact same charm. It’s more horrororiented, but the tone is not different. CALEB this season is darker than the first. SCHNAPP I’d say there’s definitely more scenes that are scarier. MATARAZZO What I like about the second season is not the fact that it’s scarier. It’s the fact that we get to learn a lot more about each character and their personal life. And last season, we had the kids, the teenagers, and the adults, and they all had their parts to play. But this season it’s a little more combined and we get to see more characters interact with each other.
There’s a new girl, Max, joining the group this year. How does that affect the gang dynamic?
WOLFHARD Max moves from San Diego. the others in the group are very interested: “Oh, she’s from California? What’s she like?” I’m not happy they’re interested in her because, number one, I don’t like outsiders in the group. two, I’m envious because they like Max.
MATARAZZO She’s a really cool character. She’s kind of an outcast, not very sociable, keeps to herself and is kind of a tomboy. Dustin and Lucas kind of have a crush on her. Dustin’s trying to get her in the group, trying to get spirits back up with everything that’s been happening.
How’s Eleven’s disappearance affecting the boys?
WOLFHARD Mike starts off this season being… Just sort of sad and not as leader-oriented. that’s more because eleven’s not there, and he has no one really to motivate him and love him. He has his friends and he doesn’t realise that they already love him. He’s just caught up focusing on eleven.
MATARAZZO I feel like Dustin definitely cares about eleven and definitely misses her. But it’s easier for him to cope than it is for Mike, who had a really strong bond. I feel Dustin is struggling more with helping Will, who’s not doing well, figure everything out.