David Harbour has been trying hard to break into the greater realm of film and tv for a long time. He got his big break as Jim Hopper in “Stranger Things.” The once-niche actor was suddenly flung into the spotlight. While he’s more than grateful for the role boosting his career, he’s also ready to grow out and away from it. He would greatly prefer that it not be the only role he’s known for. Being Hopper is great and all, but Harbour is looking for less…recognition as Hopper.
Harbour has of course expressed his love for “Stranger Things,” but also a desire to be capable of more. “The first year of ‘Stranger Things,’ I remember having a discussion with a publicist and her saying, ‘Maybe you don’t want to be associated with the show so much,’ and I was like, ‘Why?,” Harbour said. “I love this show. I love the character. And I do love the show. And I do love the character, but I don’t want to be just that character. I don’t want to be just that guy.”
Put Jim Hopper In The Rear View
“I think about George Clooney leaving ‘ER.’ Now we just see him as George Clooney, but there was a time when it was, The guy from ‘ER’ is doing a movie with Nicole Kidman,” Harbour continued. “I’m trying to navigate some of that, and it’s tricky because you don’t want to shit on the people that love you for this thing that you did that you also love. But at the same time, you kind of want to leave the nest. I got more in me. I got different stuff in me, and I want you guys to see that. I don’t want people yelling ‘Hopper’ on the street every five minutes the rest of my life.”
Despite the massive success that Harbour has seen from “Stranger Things,” he’s ready for it to be over. And for everyone- including the Duffer Brothers- to be able to do new and exciting projects. His next feature film “Gran Turismo” is in a limited theatrical run now. He’ll also return to Marvel Studios as Red Guardian in the upcoming film “Thunderbolts.”
[Editor’s note: Also, may we suggest the excellent Aaron Sorkin series “The Newsroom,” which features a pre-“Stranger Things” Harbour.]
