Six seasons and a movie is the classic catchphrase of the sitcom Community. While fans received six seasons of the show, the and a movie aspect of the line, is still very much in development. A recent interview with cast member Alison Brie has confirmed that the project is moving forward (per GQ).
That's an exciting prospect for everyone who followed the sitcom, but with that news in place, there are certainly a lot of questions that audiences are going to want answered - from the general premise to who is actually going to be involved in the project.
Is The Same Creative Team Involved?
Dan Harmon, the original creator of Community, has been a hard supporter of a movie spinoff. He has spoken for years about the potential that a film could have, in regards to fulfilling what fans wanted from the original show, in its grand finale. Harmon recently announced an outline for the movie has been pitched, confirming his involvement (per Deadline).
While Harmon's involvement was always a given, other members of the creative team have also voiced interest in coming back. The Russo brothers, who recently let their impact be felt on the Marvel Universe, have also mentioned how they would be on board for directing the piece if their schedules allowed (via Collider).
Which Cast Members Will Return?
The cast for the ever re-watchable Community is large and there are all kinds of actors who might wish to revive their characters in some way. It's currently unclear who exactly would make a comeback, although all the performers involved have voiced their support for the show in the past.
While some actors, like Donald Glover, might be more difficult to get due to scheduling and budget, the likes of Allison Brie and Joel McHale have spoken on the probability of a movie now happening and their willingness to take part (per Digital Spy). There's definitely going to be some familiar faces thus popping up, although Chevy Chase's return seems incredibly unlikely given the acrimonious end to his time on the show.
When Would It Be Set?
Details haven't been forthcoming on the style of the movie, but it seems almost impossible to return back to the time period that the original Community was set in. The actors have aged beyond their original appearances, and it would feel odd for there not to be a time jump.
While there's been no official confirmation, in terms of the easiness of the budget and the narrative, any Community film would most probably be about the gang getting back together, and would be set within the present day. That will only add to the nostalgia and give fans answers as to what happened to their favorite characters after the six seasons (and a movie).
Will It Be At The Same College?
Despite the name and the concept of the show, it's improbable that the majority of a film would actually be set at a community college at all. The series concluded with all the characters going their separate ways, and moving on from their lives in education.
However, it would be absurd to have a Community film without a few appearances from the original building and especially the study room. So while any plot for the movie isn't going to send the cast back to school permanently, it's surely going to highlight the college one last time.
Will It Be Canon To The Show?
While fans of Dan Harmon's work know that the writer isn't always married into the canon that he creates, it's impossible to imagine a movie spinoff without a connection to the original show. The fact is, any film will be purely made for the fans who loved the series so much.
Some of the best episodes of Community are meta in their design, which could be an element to fold into the movie. But ultimately, Community is definitely going to continue the continuity that it has already set up and the relationships that have been built, for a movie to work.
Will The Movie Be A Streaming Exclusive?
As the Russos previously touched upon the advent of more streaming services are providing a perfect opportunity for Community to move into the cinematic realms. The fact is, a Community release on the big screen, in theaters across the world, seems highly unlikely.
However, it's entirely plausible that Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or even Apple+ pick up Community in order to adapt it into a movie sequel. There could be a limited release in store, but the most probable distribution will be at home, as the show was previously delivered.
When Will It Start Production?
Based on recent interviews, it's definitely certain that the movie has already started its creative development. That doesn't mean it's in the production phases yet though, with the writing and other pre-production components having to come together perfectly, when taking into account complex schedules.
The stardom of the cast and crew involved means that it might be a long wait before any filming begins and there are no current announcements about an official starting date. It's the closest fans have ever come to news in this manner though, so perhaps it is imminent.
When Will The Film Be Released?
Just as there is no production date set just yet, there is also no release date announced either. Compared to other sitcoms, the post-production process might be a little more complex than most, as the sci-fi elements and other wacky inclusions can sometimes up the CGI needed for Community.
The show isn't like any other sitcom out there, which is why it has such a fan following. That does mean that the budget and editing is going to be more difficult to get into. A healthy prediction would suggest that by 2025 there will be a Community film based on the trajectory of the writing process beginning now.
Will There Be Any More Seasons?
The logistics of a movie have been spoken about time and time again and definitely aren't easy. A TV show return would be absolutely impossible and definitely breaks that six seasons and a movie mantra. Any Community show would have to be focused on new characters.
So while a soft reboot is always on the cards, the film is set to be the end of the saga concerning the main cast. There's really been no talk of continuing the show anyway, and no platforms have put out any interest in taking the Community brand in a new direction despite its fantastic writing, compelling characters and many hidden details found by Redditors.
What's It About?
Plot points have been thin on the ground, but an interview with Donald Glover about his own pitch for a film could indicate that ideas are taking shape as to where to take the study group next. Glover noted that his idea involved the team looking for his character, Troy (per Express).
Troy left the show earlier than the rest of the cast, and his best friend Abed may want to find him again after years of being separated. It's a novel idea that would surely allow for a road trip experience with the kind of wacky antics that fans are used to.