One controversial That ‘90s Show fan theory claims there will be a big twist for the Forman family involving That ‘70s Show’s Randy Pearson. That ‘90s Show is set 15 and a half years after the finale of That ‘70s Show, which fittingly ended on New Year’s Eve 1979. The Netflix sequel series follows original characters Eric and Donna’s teenage daughter Leia Forman as she stays with her grandparents Red and Kitty for the summer in the fictional Point Place, Wisconsin. While Leia Forman’s exact age hasn’t been confirmed, it’s suggested that she’s right around 15 years old, which has led to some backlash and divisive speculation about the timeline of her conception.
While Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty Forman (Debra Jo Rupp) are the only main characters from That ‘70s Show confirmed to return in main capacities for That ‘90s Show, the spinoff is set to bring back several characters from the original show. The main or recurring characters from That ‘70s Show returning for guest appearances are Eric Forman (Topher Grace), Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon), Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher), Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis), Fez (Wilmer Valderrama), and Leo (Tommy Chong). So many actors already being confirmed to reprise their roles in That ‘90s Show has led to much speculation about who else could appear in the sequel series, such as Bob Pinciotti (Don Stark), Casey Kelso (Luke Wilson), Brooke (Shannon Elizabeth), or the poorly-received character Randy Pearson (Josh Meyers).
Randy joined That ‘70s Show season 8 as a new main character, being set up as a dual replacement for Eric and Kelso, who both departed the series at this time. While That ‘70s Show season 8 is already considered the weakest installment of the sitcom, Randy Pearson received excessive hate from That '70s Show fans, which was only augmented once he began dating Donna. While Donna and Randy broke up shortly before she reconciled with Eric in That ‘70s Show’s finale, a fan theory worries that the timing of their split coincided too closely with the conception of Eric and Donna’s daughter. Unsurprisingly, the fan theory has not been popular among fans, as it suggests that Randy is actually Leia Forman’s biological father instead of Eric.
How Old Eric And Donna’s Daughter Is In That ’90s Show
That ‘90s Show’s promotional materials haven’t confirmed Leia’s exact age, but the character’s casting and timeline of the sequel series give an estimate of how old she is. Leia Forman actress Callie Haverda is 15 years old, which suggests her character will be right around the same age, especially since most of the other teen actors in That 90s Show's main cast are slightly older. However, Leia Forman’s age can’t be any older than 14 years and nine months, with 14 years and 11 months being a stretch if she was born prematurely. Nonetheless, for Leia to be about 15 years old in That ‘90s Show season 1, which takes place in the summer of 1995, Donna would have had to become pregnant almost immediately after That ‘70s Show’s finale.
How Soon Before Eric Returned Did Donna And Randy Break Up?
Donna broke up with Randy in That ‘70s Show season 8, episode 20 “Leaving Home Ain’t Easy,” as she was prepared to go off to college and see the world (and realized she was still in love with Eric). Considering That ‘70s Show’s timeline is confusing and the passage of time isn't always clear, it can be assumed that Donna broke up with Randy only a few days or a week before Eric returned home. Eric came back in the 22nd episode of That ‘70s Show season 8, so there was only one episode between Donna and Randy’s breakup and Eric’s return. Since the timing of Donna and Randy’s breakup is extremely close to when Donna and Eric get back together, it’s not impossible that Randy could be the father, but it would be a mistake to introduce this as a That '90s Show conflict.
That ‘90s Show Theory Explained – Randy Is Leia’s Father, Not Eric
According to a fan theory, That ‘90s Show will reveal that Randy is Leia’s biological father instead of Eric. If Leia is confirmed to already be 15 years old by the time That ‘90s Show begins, then Randy would actually have to be Leia’s father, but doing so would add a completely unnecessary twist to That ‘70s Show's ending. Even if Randy was Leia’s biological father, that wouldn’t change that Eric was the one who raised her and acted as her father, with the lead That ‘90s Show character taking on the Forman surname either way. The quickest way for That ‘90s Show to disprove the theory that Randy is Leia’s father is to explain that Leia is turning 15 at the very end of the summer.
If Leia was born in late September 1980, then there would be no doubt that she is biologically the daughter of That ‘70s Show’s Eric Forman. Since That ‘90s Show season 1 will likely begin around late June 1995 or right around the 4th of July, the final episode could see Leia turn 15 years old in September as she prepares to go back with Donna and Eric for the school year. While Leia being born in July or August of 1980 is still technically possible, her being premature would inevitably lead some viewers to continue wondering whether Randy is actually the father. As such, in order to avoid any more confusion or unnecessary speculation about Leia’s true parentage, Netflix’s That ‘90s Show will likely establish the exact timeline of when Donna found out she was pregnant in 1980 very early on.
Randy Being Leia’s Real Father Would Ruin That ‘90s Show
Despite the time between Donna and Randy’s breakup and when Donna and Eric would have had to become pregnant being too close for comfort, there’s absolutely no way That ‘90s Show's nostalgic sitcom will make Leia’s father anyone but Eric. Considering Randy is widely hated by audiences, making him Leia’s biological father would open up That ‘90s Show to unnecessary backlash. That ‘90s Show is the perfect way to carry on the legacy of the Forman family as the center of the alternative teens in Point Place, so Eric’s connection to Leia is extremely important.
Netflix’s That ‘70s Show sequel series has already emphasized the similarities between Leia and her parents, including how Leia inherited her father’s snarky attitudes. That ‘90s Show needs to focus on how Leia carries on both Eric and Donna’s roles in Point Place’s teenage groups, and having any distraction with Randy would upend this more lighthearted dynamic. Donna and Eric had enough obstacles in their relationship and family during That ‘70s Show’s original sitcom, so bringing Randy so close into the mix for That ‘90s Show would be another unnecessary hurdle for them to overcome.
Will Randy Return For That ‘90s Show?
While the original gang (minus Hyde), Kitty and Red, and Leo are all returning for That ‘90s Show season 1, it’s unlikely that anyone outside of the core players will be seen in the sequel series’ first installments. Should That ‘90s Show be a success, Netflix could potentially bring back more recurring (or briefly main) characters from That ‘70s Show. However, Randy Pearson shouldn’t be expected to return soon in any capacity. If any other unconfirmed That ‘70s Show character returns for That ‘90s Show, the most likely candidate is Leia's other grandfather Bob Pinciotti. The possibility of Randy appearing in That ‘90s Show isn’t apt to come into play until much further down the road, and it's extremely unlikely to involve any parentage twist for Leia.