As he anticipates the commencement of shooting for the fifth and final season of “Stranger Things,” David Harbour, known for his role as Sheriff Hopper, has expressed his intention to shift his focus toward the realm of movies, aiming to transcend his TV persona.
Harbour’s association with the Netflix hit series propelled him to recognition, yet he seeks to avoid being solely identified with his character. In an interview with Insider, he revealed, “I do love the show. And I do love the character. But I don’t want to be just that character. I don’t want to be just that guy.”
Even as “Stranger Things” established him as a household name, Harbour has ventured into various film roles, including Red Guardian in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a darkly portrayed Santa Claus in “Violent Night,” the titular character in a reboot of “Hellboy,” and a racing coach in the upcoming “Gran Turismo,” set to release on August 25. His experience with “Violent Night,” which marked his first box office success, has fueled his desire to explore further opportunities in cinema.
The transition from streaming platforms to traditional cinema has resonated with Harbour. He stated, “I’ve been on Netflix … but this was a small original movie that’s going to a cinema. A whole new world opened up for me with that. I like this playing field. I want to make original movies that go to the movie theaters.”
Harbour is resolute in charting his course in the film industry, breaking free from the shadow cast by his role as Sheriff Hopper. Reflecting on the career shift, he compared it to how George Clooney left his iconic role in “ER” to become a renowned movie star. “I’m trying to navigate some of that,” he elaborated. “It’s tricky because you don’t want to s— on the people that love you for this thing that you did that you also love. But at the same time, you kind of want to leave the nest. I got more in me. I got different stuff in me, and I want you guys to see that. I don’t want people yelling ‘Hopper’ on the street every five minutes the rest of my life.”
As the final season of “Stranger Things” approaches, Harbour’s ambitions extend beyond the series, as he strives to establish himself as a versatile presence in the world of cinema.
