The Duffer brothers, of course, went on to famously produce the mega-hit, Stranger Things. So, I guess this all worked out in the end.
The Tommyknockers, Dreamcatcher, Gray Matter, and Insomnia. He’s even briefly mentioned in 11/22/63.
Among the famous names almost chosen instead is Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer Alice Cooper.
shapeshifting, summoning illusions, becoming invisible, regeneration, mind control, telepathy and telekinesis.
In spite of that, they chose not to film flashbacks with the first film, so the kids might be noticeably older.