Overview
- Netflix released Part 1 today, with four episodes now streaming, and plans Part 2 for December 25 and the finale for December 31.
- The opening sequence recreates a younger Will by mapping a digitally de‑aged Noah Schnapp face onto child stand‑in Luke Kotokek, executed by VFX house Lola.
- Schnapp said he recorded extensive facial expressions in a capture setup, and VFX artists spent months refining the composite.
- Executive producer Shawn Levy emphasized practical departments and said no AI was used, though the finished scene relies on digital visual effects.
- Early coverage notes the result looks noticeably digital or imperfect, and the series previously used a similar method for Millie Bobby Brown in Season 4.