After 12 years, the prophecy of "six seasons and a movie" is finally coming true, with the official announcement of a Community movie. From details about the cast to updates on production, here's everything we know about the highly-anticipated film. Abed Nadir first mentioned the idea of "six seasons and a movie" as a gag, but fans embraced it and kept the hope alive through years of setbacks and changes in production.
The longing for Community to get six seasons and a movie persisted on social media for years. Despite the show ending in 2015, discussions of a potential movie have persisted. Now, it's happening. Yes, a Community movie is in the works and it may be released sooner than expected. Here's everything we know about the Community movie before its release.
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NBCAfter seven years in the dark, Community fans are finally getting everything they asked for.
Does the Community movie have a release window?
The Community movie does not yet have a solid release date or window locked in. That’s not to say we don’t have a rough idea, though.
Initial reports suggested that production would begin in the second half of 2023, aiming for a late 2023 release. However, these plans were derailed by the unexpected Writers Guild Strike. In a June 2023 interview with Variety, lead actor Joel McHale confirmed that filming was originally planned for the summer before the strike began.
Now that the WGA strike has ended, series creator Dan Harmon can focus on finalizing the script for the largely completed Community movie. Consequently, a new production schedule should be forthcoming. McHale addressed this in a recent interview with Discussing Film (via IGN), estimating that filming will likely commence at some point in 2024.
If McHale’s forecast turns out to be correct, and considering the production’s history, the Community movie may be set for release as soon as late 2024. It’s important to remember that this is purely speculative at the moment, so it's best to take it with a grain of salt.
Once the Community movie finally arrives, it will be available for digital streaming on NBC's platform, Peacock. As of now, it is uncertain whether there will be a theatrical release. We will provide updates on the release date for the Community movie as soon as it is announced.
Who’s in the Community movie? Early cast details
The big screen adaptation of the Community series will see the return of several main cast members, such as Joel McHale (Jeff), Danny Pudi (Abed), Gillian Jacobs (Britta), Alison Brie (Annie), and Jim Rash (Dean Pelton).
McHale (Jeff Winger) announced the aforementioned cast members in a post from September 2022. In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel (via Collider), he accidentally revealed that Ken Jeong (Ben Chang) will also be returning. Despite his hectic schedule, Donald Glover later confirmed his return as Troy in January 2023.
Uncertainty lingers over the involvement of two other important members of the original Community ensemble: Yvette Nicole Brown (Shirley) and Chevy Chase (Pierce). Brown has expressed positive views regarding the production, making a return likely. On the other hand, it is highly unlikely that Chevy Chase will participate, as he has made negative comments about the show and had a messy exit during Season 4.
"I felt somewhat restricted... Everyone had their input, and I thought they were all fine," Chase remembered. "It just didn't have enough impact for me. I felt more content being by myself. I just didn't want to be with those people at the table every day. It was overwhelming."
"He appears pleasant," Yvette Nicole Brown later quipped on Twitter.
What will the Community movie be about?
There is no official information about the plot of the upcoming Community movie. With the show's wide-ranging storyline, anything is possible, from a high-budget paintball battle to a fantastical journey through time and space, or a more intimate comedy set on the Greendale campus. Nothing is off the table.
Does the movie mark the end for Community?
Regardless of the actual events in the Community movie, it is sure to showcase the interaction among the primary characters from the original show. In addition, it will likely provide resolution to their experiences at the Community College (more details on that later).
The film's production is still in its early stages and no specific details have been finalized. However, it would be fitting for the overall story of Greendale Community College to come to a conclusion in the movie. Fulfilling the "six seasons and a movie" prophecy would bring closure to the dedicated fanbase. Despite this, series creator Dan Harmon has not officially confirmed that the story will indeed end with the film, so this speculation should be taken with caution for now.
Is there a Community movie trailer?
Since the Community movie has not entered full production, there is currently no official footage available. However, once principal photography begins, we can expect to see a teaser in the near future.
Rest assured, we’ll keep you posted right here with all the latest surrounding the Community movie as new details emerge.
Find out about other upcoming releases below:
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Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I'm thrilled about the upcoming Community movie. The show was a huge part of my childhood, and I've been eagerly anticipating its return for years. I'm excited to see the original cast back together and to find out what new adventures they'll get into.
I'm also curious to see how the movie will address the show's ending. The series finale was somewhat divisive, and I'm hoping that the movie will provide some closure for fans. Overall, I'm very excited about the Community movie and can't wait to see it when it's released.