For Noah Schnapp, playing Will Byers in Stranger Things has been a journey of self-discovery and growth. In Season 5, Volume 1, Will turns it all around, discovering that his connection to the Upside Down hive mind runs both ways. This realization unlocks a new strength within him, allowing him to stop Demogorgons in mid-air and pull them off the ground. The moment is especially meaningful for Schnapp, given how much his own journey of self-acceptance has mirrored Will's.
Schnapp recalls being on set with only the scripts a week before the table read, but getting to see Episode 4 for the first time in the shower, screaming "Oh my God!" when he realized Will had powers. He then went "completely nocturnal" for over a month to shoot the full action sequence of Vecna's attack on the military base in Hawkins.
Shooting this scene was physically demanding, with Schnapp straining his neck and practicing the sequence extensively to get it right. The face-replacement work also took place separately, with Schnapp sitting still while a camera captured his reactions.
The scene where Will discovers his connection to the Upside Down hive mind is especially powerful for Schnapp, as he's been on a similar journey of self-acceptance and empowerment. He compares Will's experience to his own, noting that if the pandemic and strikes hadn't happened, Season 5 might have filmed earlier, allowing him to tap into more confidence and inner belief.
Schnapp says that playing Will has made him realize how much he would have benefited from having a character like this in media when he was younger. He's proud to have brought Will's journey to life, which is not just about his gayness but also about his strength and resilience.
When talking about the scene where Robin shares her story with Will in the tunnels, Schnapp reveals that he was emotionally affected by it, feeling as if he'd "trapped himself." The moment reminded him of his own struggles finding answers and embracing his identity.
Schnapp recalls being on set with only the scripts a week before the table read, but getting to see Episode 4 for the first time in the shower, screaming "Oh my God!" when he realized Will had powers. He then went "completely nocturnal" for over a month to shoot the full action sequence of Vecna's attack on the military base in Hawkins.
Shooting this scene was physically demanding, with Schnapp straining his neck and practicing the sequence extensively to get it right. The face-replacement work also took place separately, with Schnapp sitting still while a camera captured his reactions.
The scene where Will discovers his connection to the Upside Down hive mind is especially powerful for Schnapp, as he's been on a similar journey of self-acceptance and empowerment. He compares Will's experience to his own, noting that if the pandemic and strikes hadn't happened, Season 5 might have filmed earlier, allowing him to tap into more confidence and inner belief.
Schnapp says that playing Will has made him realize how much he would have benefited from having a character like this in media when he was younger. He's proud to have brought Will's journey to life, which is not just about his gayness but also about his strength and resilience.
When talking about the scene where Robin shares her story with Will in the tunnels, Schnapp reveals that he was emotionally affected by it, feeling as if he'd "trapped himself." The moment reminded him of his own struggles finding answers and embracing his identity.
I think its kinda awesome how Noah Schnapp has been able to relate so much with Will's character on Stranger Things, especially when it comes to self-acceptance & empowerment! 
It shows that the show is really tackling some deep themes & its not just about the supernatural stuff. Schnapp's also giving us a behind-the-scenes look at how physically demanding some of these scenes can be, and I gotta respect him for putting himself through all that to bring Will's story to life 
. And omg that scene in the tunnels where Robin shares her story with Will? 
totally gives me chills every time! I love how Schnapp is using his own experiences & emotions to connect with the character, it makes the show even more special 
. I feel like Season 5 Volume 1 has been a game-changer for him and for the show itself 
Can't wait to see what he does next! 
the connection to the upsidedown hive mind scene gave me CHILLS 
i can already imagine a movie about self-acceptance and empowerment that mirrors will's story, that would be EVERYTHING 
Can't wait to see more of Will's journey unfold 
Sounds like some major plot armor if you ask me. Can we get more character development here? 
this is so deep 
anyway, Schnapp is just amazing for speaking about the importance of representation and inner strength 
. I'm also glad to see Schnapp acknowledging the emotional impact of that scene where Robin shares her story with Will - it's clear he was invested in bringing authenticity to that moment 
. Overall, I think Schnapp's performance is not just about acting, but about sharing his own voice and experiences through Will's character 
schnapp's vulnerability is giving me all the feels... it's amazing how much this role has helped him tap into his own self-acceptance & empowerment 
I can see why that scene would be super meaningful for him 
but also how proud he should be of himself for bringing Will's journey to life 
Like, who hasn't felt that rush of excitement mixed with existential dread while watching their character discover their superpowers? 
.
. The scene with Robin sharing her story is so powerful, it gave me all the feels 
, like we didn't know Will was gay from the start. Anyway, glad someone's finally tapping into their inner strength and self-acceptance 
and can we talk about how much i love that he's using his platform to spread positivity and acceptance? 
. The fact that he went to shoot that intense scene without rest is truly admirable 
. It's not just about being gay, but also about strength & resilience