As anticipation for Stranger Things season five continues to build, one long-running fan theory has once again taken center stage: Byler. However, comments from Gaten Matarazzo may have poured cold water on hopes that Mike Wheeler and Will Byers will end up together in the show’s final chapter.

Matarazzo, who plays fan-favorite Dustin Henderson, recently addressed some of the most talked-about Stranger Things theories and his thoughts on Mike and Will’s relationship didn’t exactly sit well with a large portion of the fandom.

For years, fans have passionately speculated that Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) and Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) could become more than childhood best friends. This belief intensified dramatically after season four confirmed that Will is gay and harboring deep feelings for Mike—something many viewers felt had been subtly hinted at for seasons.

With season five confirmed as the final installment of the series, Byler supporters have been clinging to the hope that the show might finally make the pairing canon. The silence around Mike’s feelings, however, has only fueled more theories, debates, and online discourse.

Gaten Matarazzo’s Comments on Byler Spark Controversy

While speaking to Elite Daily about the wildest fan theories he’s encountered, Matarazzo first joked about another popular ship: Steve Harrington and Jonathan Byers.

“There are some pretty intense ‘Stonathan’ ideas out there,” he said, laughing. “At that point, it’s less theory and more fan fiction. But hey—Joe Keery and Charlie Heaton are two very handsome guys. I get it.”

But it was his response to the Byler conversation that truly set social media on fire.

“I also find the Byler stuff very funny. I see them as just very good friends. Will is going through his own journey the way that a lot of young queer kids do in small towns, especially back in the day.

It’s a very universal experience that a lot of gay kids probably go through. It’s like noticing a crush on a friend you grew up with and not being able to talk about it. There’s something more powerful there than just, “I wonder if they’re going to kiss.”

According to him, Will’s story isn’t necessarily about whether he and Mike will kiss, but about emotional growth, identity, and quiet heartbreak—an explanation that many fans felt missed the bigger picture.

Fans React to Gaten’s Remarks

Unsurprisingly, Matarazzo’s remarks triggered intense reactions across social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter).

Some fans accused the cast of deliberately downplaying Will’s emotions.

“Will doesn’t just have a crush,” one fan wrote. “He’s been deeply in love with Mike for multiple seasons. Hearing that reduced to ‘very good friends’ genuinely hurts.”

Another added, “As a queer fan, seeing Will’s feelings brushed off like this feels incredibly dismissive. His story deserves to be treated with care, not humor.”

Others were outright furious, insisting that the cast’s comments could be intentional misdirection. “The more they deny it, the more I think Byler is the endgame twist,” one fan argued. “I refuse to give up.”

Interestingly, Noah Schnapp himself recently addressed Will’s storyline during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. While careful not to reveal spoilers, Schnapp struck a noticeably different tone.

“It’s a real authentic representation of a queer kid in the ‘80s. I’ve dealt with that myself, like being in love with my best friend, and maybe they don’t love you back or they feel differently.”

When asked about how the story concludes, Schnapp added, “I won’t spoil anything, but I think the Duffer Brothers wrap it up really well.”

Those words alone were enough to reignite hope among fans who believe Will’s arc and possibly Byler will receive meaningful closure.

Whether Byler becomes canon or remains one of the fandom’s most debated “what ifs,” one thing is certain: the conversation around Mike and Will is far from over and fans will be watching every moment closely.