Conversations about a Community movie are happening, according to series creator Dan Harmon. The recipient of widespread critical acclaim, buoyed by a loyal fanbase, Community has remained in the cultural conversation since the sitcom premiered on NBC in 2009. Beginning with the simple premise of a diverse group of college students meeting to study for the Spanish class they share, the show transcended its modest beginnings to deliver episodes which regularly subverted tropes commonly associated with television comedies. With half hours like “Critical Film Studies” and “Pillows and Blankets”, the series proved the ability to reinvent the genre it was operating in. Still, in spite of its often sterling reputation, and the fact that it boasted an exceptionally talented cast, Community was frequently on the verge of cancellation due to low ratings.
The risk was present as Community was airing its season 3 finale in 2012. The episode, titled “Introduction to Finality”, could have very well been the last episode of Community. At the end of the finale, the rallying cry of “#SixSeasonsAndAMovie” was shown for a few seconds. Originally, the phrase was uttered by the character of Abed (Danny Pudi) in season 2. Abed had been referring to his to his prediction for The Cape, an NBC superhero drama series that had been airing at the time. The brief bit of network synergy took on a life of its own. Long after The Cape was cancelled, Community itself ended after moving to Yahoo! Screen for its sixth and final season. But fans of Community have continued to want Abed’s strangely specific prophecy to come true.
Now, The Wrap is reporting that series creator Dan Harmon has been having conversations about a Community movie. Harmon, who went on to co-create Rick & Morty with Justin Roiland, noted that the resurgence of his sitcom on Netflix has had an effect on the marketplace. While he didn’t share any specifics, Harmon did tease that something was in the works. “I can say that there are conversations happening that people would want to be happening,” Harmon told The Wrap, adding, “I’m very, very excited about the coming months.”
Harmon is the latest big name attached to Community that has shed some light on the possibility of a movie. Joel McHale, who portrayed Jeff Winger on the show, recently shared a similar view that a movie followup could happen soon. Joe Russo, who directed numerous episodes of the sitcom, chimed in as well to note that the movie could be made by Netflix.
It has been an eventful number of weeks for the Greendale faithful overall, as the series became more readily accessible to a worldwide audience after streaming on Netflix. It was also recently announced that the cast of Community, including Donald Glover, would reunite for a virtual table read of an episode to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts. Harmon’s latest statements tease that there might be even more happening down the line.
Source: The Wrap