Netflix’s new trailer for Stranger Things season 3 is turning heads, but not in a way most people would expect. In the most recent trailer that was released May 20th, a summer by the pool is shown in a typical 90’s fashion. However, one thing is out of the ordinary.
Rather than a busty, bikini-clad female catching the eyes of all the men (and jealous females), viewers are surprised when Billy (played by Dacre Montgomery), who has been labeled the resident “bad boy,” struts onto the poolside bare chested, whistle in hand with the red lifeguard shorts. The women are the ones to oggle him this time. Once again, Stranger Things takes its own twist on the mediocre.
Although Billy Hargrove was the “villain” of the first two seasons, he became a fan favorite. Consequently, it is not so surprising that he is receiving a larger role in season 3, now with a part-time job as pool boy, or rather the Hawkin’s community pool lifeguard.
Despite the seemingly unrevealing trailer, DigitalSpy has uncovered some hidden gems in relation to the other trailer released back in March. It seems that, from March’s trailer, Billy has been infected, which might add deeper explanation into the episode entitled ‘Chapter Three: The Case of the Missing Lifeguard.’ The missing lifeguard could refer to Billy, but it has been conjectured to refer rather to the new character of Heather, the female lifeguard character played by Francesca Reale.
According to Matt Duffer in an interview with Vulture, Billy’s character was created out of necessity, as Steve, played by Joe Keery, was too likable of a villain. “‘We do really want just a bad human character, a human villain,’” Matt explained, reiterating a conversation he and his brother had had concerning the creation of Billy. “That’s why we created the character of Billy. That’s something that Stephen King always has in his works. There’s a human villain who’s just as bad, if not worse than the supernatural one. That was the intention here.”
When describing Dacre Montgomery’s bizarre audition for the role, Ross Duffer said “I’ve watched thousands of auditions now, and it’s by far the most bonkers that I’ve witnessed, but it was great. It had that kind of edge and energy you needed for Billy. This is a guy who can be fun one second, and in the next, you’re terrified for your life.”
The most important information concerning Billy’s character came at the end of the Duffer brother’s description of Billy, when Matt stated that “Billy was supposed to have a bigger role. We ended up having so many characters it ended up, in a way, more teed up for season three than anything. There was a whole teen supernatural storyline that just got booted because it was just too cluttered, you know? A lot of that’s just getting kicked into season three.”
Stranger Things 3 is set to premiere on Netflix July 4. Below is the newest trailer. Things are about to get a lot darker and stranger.