The best way Stranger Things pays homage to the ’80s is by casting some of our favorite actors from the decade, namely Winona Ryder, Matthew Modine, Sean Astin, and Paul Reiser. Clearly, that tradition will carry into the third season of the show, as the latest beloved performer to move to Hawkins will be The Princess Bride‘s Cary Elwes, in a role that sounds inspired by a certain ’80s horror movie bad guy.
Deadline reports that Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos announced at an event in Rome that both Elwes and actor Jake Busey will be joining the season three cast. Elwes will be playing Larry Kline, the mayor of Hawkins, who was described in a previous casting call in a way that reminds us a lot of the morally bankrupt mayor from Jaws:
“A classic, 80’s style slick politician. Pathetic and driven only by his own interests. The studio is looking for a male, aged from 40s-60s, to fill the role.” [sic]
We’re huge Elwes fans, so this is a perfect bit of casting, but we will be disappointed if he doesn’t take some wardrobe tips from Larry Vaughn.
As for Busey, he will be playing Bruce, who was described in that same casting call as “a morally compromised news reporter in his 50s” who is “outwardly sexist, overweight and bedraggled.” Some of Busey’s best roles (Contact, The Frighteners, Identity) have been as very bad guys, so he could end up being the show’s most evil new human villain. And we wouldn’t be stunned to see him even turn demonic. It is Hawkins after all.
What do you make of the newest additions to the cast? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Images: 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures
More on Stranger Things!
- Here’s everything we know about Stranger Things 3 so far!
- Millie Bobby Brown cheered up a young fan on his birthday
- Take some parenting tips from Joyce Byers!
