Stranger Things: Show creators the Duffer Brothers 'have PROOF they didn't steal the idea for Netflix series'

Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer have 'proof' they didn't steal the idea for the hit Netflix show.

The screenwriter siblings, both 34, are being sued by writer Charlie Kessler, who claims they stole his ideas for the supernatural series after he pitched his own sci-fi show - Montauk- to them back in 2014.

But according to emails obtained by TMZ, the Duffers had started to band around the idea for the popular 80s sci-fi drama in 2010, three-and-a-half years before they met with the claimant.

Evidence: Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer have 'proof' they didn't steal the idea for the hit Netflix show (pictured in July 2016)

Evidence: Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer have 'proof' they didn't steal the idea for the hit Netflix show (pictured in July 2016)

In two emails written back in November that year, the Duffers were creating their vision for a 'real, paranormal and gritty eighties' show, which was specifically set in Montauk and gave reference to 'the Montauk experiments'.

A Google document created three years later included the details of the original premise for Stranger Things, with a teenager named Benny - who would become Will Byers - leaving his friends house and entering a strange world by 'an evil force'. 

TMZ also had two emails written in February and April 2014 before the meeting of the Duffers and Charlie Kessler, which continued to pull together the details for the sci-fi show.

The February email included the notes of the thriller being 'set in 1980s Long Island' with a 'vintage Stephen King feel', while the latter email mentioned a Montauk location scout. 

Proof? According to emails obtained by TMZ , the Duffers had started to band around the idea for the  80s-set drama in 2010, three-and-a-half years before they met with the claimant

Proof? According to emails obtained by TMZ , the Duffers had started to band around the idea for the 80s-set drama in 2010, three-and-a-half years before they met with the claimant

The Duffer brothers' lawyer told TMZ: 'These documents prove that Mr. Kessler had absolutely nothing to do with the creation of Stranger Things. 

'The Duffer Brothers were developing their project years before he claims to have met them.' 

In the lawsuit, Charlie claimed he produced a short film which involves a key plot point used in Stranger Things

His film - also titled Montauk - is centered around top secret government experiments which happens to be a major component of the highly-popular Netflix series.

Kessler claims that he and his agents had pitched the idea to the Duffer Brothers in hopes that it could be made as a full-blown series.

Claims The screenwriter siblings, both 34, are being sued by writer Charlie Kessler, who claims they stole his ideas  after he pitched his own sci-fi show - Montauk- to them back in 2014

Claims The screenwriter siblings, both 34, are being sued by writer Charlie Kessler, who claims they stole his ideas after he pitched his own sci-fi show - Montauk- to them back in 2014

At the time Kessler believed that the idea was dead and was shocked when Stranger Things came out in 2016.

The writer claims the Duffers had used his script, idea, story, and film all to make the hit series.

Kessler even goes as far to allege that the Netflix was sold with the name of his short film The Montauk Project.  

TMZ reports Kessler wants money and destruction of all materials which are claimed to be ripped off from his original concept.

The online publication has also reported that a casting call for the series ripped off the short film as it featured the same title as the mini feature. 

Hair-raising: At the time Kessler believed that the idea was dead and was shocked when Stranger Things came out in 2016

Hair-raising: At the time Kessler believed that the idea was dead and was shocked when Stranger Things came out in 2016

TMZ obtained the casting call from August 2015 for the role of Barbara which read alongside a description of the character: 'You have a self tape request for the Netflix series 'Montauk' starring Winona Ryder and by the creators of 'Wayward Pines''. 

Stranger Things has become a smash hit since it first appeared on the streaming site in 2016.

As well as featuring acclaimed actors such as Winona Ryder, the show has propelled its young stars, including the likes of Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, and Caleb McLaughlin to worldwide stardom.  

In December 2017, Netflix ordered a third season of Stranger Things, consisting of eight episodes. 

The Duffer brothers have previously saidthe show is likely to end after its fourth or fifth season. 

Talented: The show has propelled its young stars, including the likes of Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, and Caleb McLaughlin to worldwide stardom 

Talented: The show has propelled its young stars, including the likes of Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, and Caleb McLaughlin to worldwide stardom 

 

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Stranger Things: Duffer Brothers have PROOF they didn't steal ideas

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