‘Stranger Things’ Season 3 Is Inspired by a Chevy Chase Comedy, According to David Harbour

“Stranger Things” has always worn its influences on its sleeves, and season three will be no different. David Harbour, who’s received two Emmy nods for his work on Netflix’s throwback drama, tells Variety in a new interview that the next go-round will be inspired by the 1985 comedy “Fletch.”

“The Duffers are so specific each year with the movies,” he says. “And ‘Fletch’ is one movie we get to play around and have some fun with this season, which you wouldn’t expect from ‘Stranger Things’ and you wouldn’t expect from the Spielberg universe and you certainly wouldn’t expect from a darker season.’” Set in the ’80s, “Stranger Things” has made numerous references to the movies and TV shows that have inspired it, from “The Goonies” and “Alien” to “Stand by Me” and “Ghostbusters.”

Chevy Chase stars in the film as Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher, an investigative reporter who’s offered a princely sum to kill a terminally ill millionaire who might not actually be terminally ill. “Fletch” was well received and made $59 million against a budget of $8 million, leading to the sequel “Fletch Lives” four years later; a prequel, “Fletch Won,” has been in development hell for decades.

Coincidentally — or, more likely, not — Jake Busey is joining the “Stranger Things” cast as Bruce, described as a “journalist for The Hawkins Post, with questionable morals and a sick sense of humor.” No premiere date has been announced for the forthcoming third season.