Hawkins crackles with anticipation, and Stranger Things returns one last time with its visually stunning and high-stakes final season. Owing to its rich universe and emotional weight, shipping culture has inevitably taken over the Upside Down once again, with the fans excited to watch Will Byers’ storyline evolve. Particularly, the Byler shippers have high hopes, but Finn Wolfhard has recently cleared the air, which might disappoint many.

Finn Wolfhard has some solemn reflections about his on-screen role, Mike Wheeler's highly-coveted ship with Will Byers, played by Noah Schnapp. 

In an exclusive interview with Attitude, Finn Wolfhard discussed the Byler rumors and a conclusive ending to their arc in the finale. He mentioned that the shipping culture is inescapable when it comes to fans of the show. Wolfhard further stated that while it is up to fans to pair characters, the context of their storyline and the current narrative of the show do not really warrant a Byler romance. The 22-year-old actor said, “I feel like if it did happen [in the show], it wouldn’t feel that earned." 

Wolfhard also conceded that he avoids spending much time on the internet to check fan theories and fictions. Nonetheless, he appreciated the show's grand scale being enriching enough that "people are able to sort of feed themselves and be accepted for who they are," he expressed to the outlet. For quite a few Byler shippers, Wolfhard's statement might be a bucket of cold reality splashed on their warm wishes. However, his castmates hold similar views about the ships.

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Finn Wolfhard is not the only one who has axed the Byler dreams.

The other half of Byler, Noah Schnapp, who publicly came out as gay in 2023, often encountered the fans' incessant Byler shipping comments on his social media videos at all times. However, he expressed similar disinterest in the ship, per Cosmopolitan, replying to a comment on TikTok, "I always ignore it," referring to the speculations or fan demands.

Other cast members of Stranger Things have also shared their opinions on the shipping rumors. For instance, Gaten Matarazzo found it “fun and engaging” to read fan fiction and fan theories, though he did not explicitly state his support for Byler. Meanwhile, the show's co-creator Ross Duffer confirmed to Variety in 2022 that Will Byers' "journey and arc is far from finished" and will be explored in Stranger Things season 5's darker and grittier storyline, even though Byers will remain a central figure in this final chapter.

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What are your thoughts on Finn Wolfhard's comments about the Byler ship? Share your opinions below.