Eduardo Franco will not be back on 'Stranger Things,' and fans are not happy

Netflix’s “Stranger Things” is undoubtedly one of the biggest television series today. With a strong sci-fi horror plot, it reels in millions of views worldwide.  

Season 4 was released in two parts in Summer 2022 and it introduced new characters that won the hearts of millions, like Eddie Munson and Argyle, the stoner Surfer Boy pizza boy and best friend of Jonathan Byers, portrayed by Eduardo Franco.  

Sadly, in an interview with Steve Varley, Franco said he will not be returning to the series. “It’s nice to hear that there’s, there’s some sort of, you know, concern or something, you know what I mean?” Franco said. “But I never got a phone call, so I think that’s it.”  

This news has caused a rise from fans as they felt that Franco’s character was not just the comedic relief needed within the heaviness of the last season, but the much needed Latino representation needed in a huge TV show. 

Considering the cast of “Stranger Things” is predominantly a cast of caucasian actors, fans began questioning on social media why Franco did not receive a callback, yet keeping actors Noah Schanpp (portrays Will Byers) and Brett Gelman (portrays Murray Bauman) despite the problematic remarks they made on the war in Gaza.  

Some fans even speculated possible racial discrimination against Eduardo Franco due to his Mexican roots. There were reports that Franco was treated by the media when it came to red carpet and panel events promoting Stranger Things Season 4, telling him to “get out of the way,” when photographing the cast. 

Due to this controversy, it has been easy for fans to choose to boycott the show and lose the love they once had for it. 

Penelope Pearson, 23, is a Paraeducator and full time student at California State University, Los Angeles from Orange County and has been a fan of the series since its start in 2016. 

“Honestly the thing that really pulled me in was the era it is set in. I love stuff set in the 80s so that is what originally got me interested, then I started to like the characters and stayed for the development between all of the characters,” Pearson said, discussing what hooked her into “Stranger Things.” 

Pearson felt it was odd that Franco did not receive a callback and was also disappointed in the decision. She is also holding onto hope that it will make sense when the next season begins but worries that Franco not receiving a call back may be of malicious intent. 

“Argyle was so beloved last season, the least they could have done was contact him and explain the reasoning Argyle would not be back. With all of that being said, I think it is very likely that it could be due to racial discrimination of some sort or at the very least just unjust morals,” Pearson said.  

Bree Escobar, 27, is a visual merchandising manager from Los Angeles and began watching “Stranger Things” once season 2 was released. This show was a way for her to bond with her significant other and they are still excited to see how the next season follows suit. 

As a Latina, Escobar was disappointed Franco will not be in the show’s final season. 

“I wanted to see more of his character, especially him being a person of color and having a bigger supporting role to me was fantastic!” Escobar said. She also said she wouldn’t be surprised if it does have to do with racial discrimination due to the fact that many fans focused on the characters Eddie Munson and Chrissy Cunningham. 

“I feel like we should be just as loud or even louder to demand for Franco’s return and our utter disgust that the casting directors and writers didn’t have the audacity or courtesy to call him or his agent, or manager about him not returning,” Escobar said.  

Corina Mercado, 22, is a sales associate from Los Angeles and has been a fan of the series since its premiere.  

“The show felt kind of refreshing, no one was making a coming of age sci-fi show like that around that time. It was just a fun mystery with friends and monsters,” Mercado said when discussing why she became a fan of the series. 

Mercado was disappointed when she heard that Franco did not receive a call back to return to the show; she felt as though his impact made a difference for Latinos in Hollywood. “After being one of the main characters in season 4 and not only bringing fun comedic relief to the show but also being one out of only three POC characters you’d assume he would be back for the last season. Racial discrimination has always been a problem in the film industry.” 

With many trailblazing Latino actors in Hollywood like Pedro Pascal, America Ferrera, Oscar Isaac, Sofia Vergara, Jenna Ortega and many more, it seems as though those who may focus on the horror niche are not taken seriously compared to their cohorts. Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera were lighting a fire in Hollywood with the success of “Scream 5” and “Scream 6,” until the news broke that Barrera was being terminated from the franchise, unjustly. 

Following the firing of Melissa Barrera from “Scream 7” for being pro-Palestine, many “Stranger Things” fans are comparing both situations with Barrera and Franco and are wondering, why is it so easy for Hollywood to disregard Latinos in the sci-fi/horror genre?