The Duffer brothers have scattered a plethora of pop culture references throughout the two seasons of "Stranger Things." However, there was one particular reference in the newest run that sparked wild speculation among fans: "Stranger Things" and Stephen King's "IT" could exist in the same universe.
Obviously, "Stranger Things" and the 2017 remake of "IT" have a connection in the form of actor Finn Wolfhard, who appeared in both properties. That said, the major link comes in the form of season 2 addition, Bob Newby (Sean Astin).
In the third episode, Bob advises an anxious Will (Noah Schnapp) how to overcome fear. He tells the kid he used to have nightmares about a terrifying clown named Mr. Baldo who repeatedly haunted him. He even impersonates him, saying "Do you want a balloon?" which sounds eerily similar to Pennywise's voice. He says the nightmares stopped when he confronted the clown and told him to go away.
But, it was not just that. Bob also comes from Maine and would have likely grown up there in the late 50s. The original "IT" takes place in the Maine town of Derry around the same time. It was mentioned that he went to high school in Hawkins, so the theory is that he may have left his accursed hometown after a traumatic experience.
Considering "IT" and "Stranger Things" are two different properties, a crossover seems impossible at this point. However, Matt and Ross Duffer, who actually once pitched an "IT" remake themselves, confirmed that the connections were completely intentional.
Matt recently told Vulture that Bob's fear of clowns actually comes from their own. Clowns were a real problem for him back in the day, and the 1990 adaptation of "IT" was one of the true horror things he had experience.
"So yeah, I think [Bob's clown story] was really me describing something that just freaked me out," he explained. "I didn't have that experience myself. I just had nightmares like that." They eventually took that opportunity to connect to King, whose stories serve as a major inspiration for the series.
It is unclear whether Mr. Baldo and Pennywise really are the same entity. Although Matt confirmed that King exists in the show's universe, it seems unlikely that his fictional characters would as well.
