Zachary Levi opens up about his long-awaited desire to develop a feature-length Chuck movie. The NBC comedy series ran for five seasons from 2007 to 2012, chronicling the misadventures of Levi's electronics store employee. His life is turned upside down when a complex program is embedded into his mind, making him an unlikely asset for the CIA and NSA. Chuck was not only critically acclaimed but received impressive fanbase support that allowed the series to continue despite facing cancellation multiple times.
While Levi is currently promoting Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the star opened up to SiriusXM about the current status of a potential Chuck movie, a production that he has long campaigned for. After initiating the Chuck reboot possibility last year, Levi is optimistic that the series could return, with creators Chris Fedak, Josh Schwartz, and his fellow castmates being open to returning. He stated that Warner Bros. Discovery's approval is the only thing that the potential film requires. Here is the full response below:
"I've been trying to make a Chuck movie since before we even finished the show. I saw the writing on the wall, I saw a lot of the streaming stuff pop up. I saw a lot of what people are doing, you know like Zach Braff I think was crowdfunding... Oh no no, even before that Veronica Mars crowdfunded. I was like 'Clearly there's an appetite for people wanting to see additions the series that they held dear in their heart.' And our fans, Chucksters, are fan-freaking fantastic people and die hards, and I know that they're there. I know that they would support it.
It's just a matter of figuring out how to slice it. Warner Brothers owns the rights to it, I'm in early talks with heads there to be like 'Hey guys, you know I'm now your superhero over at your Warner Brothers films, let me use that goodwill and let me go make this.' Because I know all the cast would be in, they've already said they're totally down to do it. I think Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedek, our creators, are down to write it, and you know, bring the band back together. It's just a matter of Warner Brothers saying 'Yeah, we're down, here's a budget and go make that movie.'"
Could A Chuck Movie Potentially Happen?
Since it first aired in 2007, Chuck has gathered an incredibly strong following that ensured it enjoyed its five-season lifespan. Despite earning critics' approval, low viewership figures across the first two seasons would lead to the decision surrounding its renewal facing a delay, casting uncertainty on whether the show would receive a season 3. However, Chuck's incredibly dedicated and passionate fanbase would come to the show's rescue in the form of multiple campaigns to convince NBC to renew the series, with the broadcaster confirming that the spy comedy would return in 2009.
Levi's suggestion that Chuck fans would gladly support a potential movie has precedence in the show's history, but other factors could stand in the way of production going ahead. While Warner Bros. Discovery holds the rights to Chuck, the studio underwent much change across 2022 as the merger between Warner Bros. and Discovery began, seeing even projects from renowned IPs, including DC Comics and Scooby Doo, facing cancellation amidst reports of mounting costs. While the entirety of Chuck is available on HBO Max, a movie continuation may be a low priority as Warner Bros. Discovery recovers financially.
Chuck is undoubtedly one of television's most successful series across the 2000s and 2010s, as the show fended off cancellation multiple times. Any movie continuation would no doubt receive support from the existing fanbase upon its announcement, guaranteeing an audience. While Warner Bros. Discovery's current predicaments may hold back production, Levi, the cast, and the crew's enthusiasm is an optimistic sign that the unlikely spy could make a comeback in one last feature-length caper.
Source: SiriusXM