Los Angeles, Dec 25 : Filmmaker Frank Darabont was still new to retirement when the first season of the streaming show â??Stranger Thingsâ?? was released in 2016.

He had wrapped his final directing gig, the 2013 â??Mob Cityâ?? episode â??Red Lightâ??, and moved with his wife to Californiaâ??s Central Coast, where he could bask in the wake of an incredible filmography that included â??The Shawshank Redemptionâ??, â??The Green Mileâ??, â??The Mistâ??, episodes of â??The Walking Deadâ??, â??The Shieldâ??, â??Tales from the Cryptâ?? and more, reports â??Varietyâ??.

About a decade into retirement, however, Darabont received a call from his agent, informing him that Matt and Ross Duffer, the creators of â??Stranger Thingsâ??, were fans of his work.

As per â??Varietyâ??, the feeling was mutual, as Darabont and his wife had binged the Netflix seriesâ?? first four seasons several times over. The agents set up a friendly meeting between them when the Duffers were still developing the showâ??s fifth and final season.

Shortly thereafter, Dan Trachtenberg, who was attached to direct two episodes of â??Stranger Things 5â??, dropped out due to a scheduling conflict with his next film, â??Predator: Badlandsâ??.

In a Hail Mary, the Duffers offered Darabont to take Trachtenbergâ??s place, and after a weekâ??s consideration, he decided to come out of retirement to join the â??Stranger Thingsâ?? team on set.

Frank Darabont, 66, directed Episodes 3 and 5 of the final season. Episode 3 released with Volume 1 on November 26. Titled â??The Turnbow Trapâ??, the episode is packed with action and emotion in the Upside Down and the Rightside Up, showcasing a triumphant return for the director. Episode 5, titled â??Shock Jockâ??, will kick off the three-episode second volume on December 25. The â??Stranger Thingsâ?? series finale releases in theaters and on Netflix December 31, 2025.

/IANS