When On-Screen Fights Go Off-Script: Joe Keery and Charlie Heaton's 'Stranger Things' Season 1 Stunt Gone Wrong Twice

Ah, Stranger Things Season 1. A time when demogorgons lurked, Eggos reigned supreme, and the unlikely rivalry between Hawkins' golden boy Steve Harrington and the brooding outsider Jonathan Byers reached its explosive peak. While fans vividly remember the intense brawl that solidified their complex relationship, actors Joe Keery and Charlie Heaton have even more memorable, and slightly painful, recollections of that pivotal scene – specifically, how it went spectacularly wrong not once, but twice!

The scene in question, a visceral confrontation born from jealousy and protectiveness, required Jonathan to smash Steve’s head against a wall.

Sounds simple enough, right? Not so much when you're dealing with the unpredictable nature of prop work and human timing. According to Keery and Heaton, the initial attempt quickly devolved into unexpected chaos, kicking off a series of unfortunate events that would later become a legendary behind-the-scenes anecdote.

“We were supposed to, like, crash into a wall,” Keery, who plays the now-iconic Steve, recounted with a chuckle.

The plan was for Jonathan to force Steve's head into a breakaway section of the set wall, creating a dramatic and safe impact. However, the 'breakaway' part decided to take a holiday during the first take. Instead of a controlled shatter, the wall proved to be far more robust than anticipated, resulting in Keery experiencing a rather unscripted, and very real, head-to-wall encounter.

As if one unscripted head injury wasn't enough, the universe, or perhaps the 'Stranger Things' prop department, decided to double down.

After regrouping, resetting the set, and probably sharing a few nervous laughs, the cast and crew prepared for Take Two. Surely, lightning wouldn't strike twice? Oh, but it did. During the subsequent attempt, another element of the scene or prop work failed, leading to yet another unforeseen mishap.

While perhaps not as direct a hit as the first, it cemented the fight's reputation as a sequence cursed by the production gods.

Heaton, the man behind Jonathan Byers’ simmering intensity, recalled the mixture of shock and inevitable laughter that followed these blunders. For a scene meant to be a tense turning point, its filming became a testament to the unforeseen challenges of live production and the camaraderie forged in shared, slightly painful, experiences.

It's a reminder that even the most polished on-screen moments often hide a myriad of comedic or harrowing behind-the-scenes tales.

Ultimately, the dedicated team and resilient actors persevered, delivering the impactful scene that fans know and love. These candid recollections from Keery and Heaton not only offer a hilarious glimpse into the early days of Stranger Things production but also underscore the commitment of the cast and crew.

It’s a story that perfectly encapsulates the show’s blend of high-stakes drama and unexpected charm – a charm that clearly extends beyond the script and into the very fabric of its creation.