The prophetic mantra of “Six Seasons and a Movie” is on the brink of fulfillment for fans of the cult classic sitcom ‘Community.’ Dan Harmon, the mastermind behind the beloved series, has made substantial progress on the script of the long-awaited movie. This development closely follows the buzz created by Donald Glover, a former cast member, who let slip that the movie’s script was in the making.
In an interview with Variety, Harmon divulged his status in the scriptwriting process, humorously addressing Glover’s earlier comments. “I can confirm Donald Glover’s report that I told him the script was done,” Harmon teased. “But I will also say Donald’s sources are so unreliable because the script is always ‘almost done.’”
Harmon revealed that the movie is to be set in the familiar stomping grounds of Greendale Community College. His excitement is palpable as he said, “I’m super excited about it, and we’re almost done.” Last month, Glover hinted at the script’s completion in a conversation with Entertainment Tonight, which transpired to be an interaction with Harmon himself. Glover’s statement piqued the interest of fans, as he claimed to have received text updates on the progress of the script.
Reflecting on his emotional investment, Harmon confessed that it’s not been an entirely smooth journey. The process of revisiting the Greendale Community College world has been intensely nostalgic and a catalyst for teary outpourings. “I’ve been having kind of a nervous breakdown the last couple of months just by working on it, and that’s a good thing because I’m having all kinds of flashbacks to 2009. It’s gonna be awesome,” stated Harmon, acknowledging the emotional rollercoaster of writing the script.
Collaborating with Andrew Guest, Harmon is crafting a script that will welcome back familiar faces. The original cast is set to return, including Glover as Troy Barnes, Alison Brie as Annie Edison, Gillian Jacobs as Britta Perry, Joel McHale as Jeff Winger, and Ken Jeong as Ben Chang.
The production of this film will conclusively deliver on the promise etched into the series’ lore—a rallying cry for the fans that evolved into a passionate movement urging the making of a film. The highly competitive negotiations for Peacock, NBCU’s streaming service, to land the movie have been successful. As reported by Sony Pictures TV and Peacock, the joint announcement in September confirmed Peacock’s acquisition of non-exclusive rights to the series’ complete six-season run, a collection that is currently available on competitor platforms Netflix and Hulu. Adding to his role as an original cast member, Joel McHale will also serve as an executive producer on the project, joining forces with Harmon, Guest, Russ Krasnoff, and Gary Foster.
‘Community,’ which ran five of its six seasons on NBC before concluding on Yahoo! Screen, portrayed the quirky and heartwarming exploits of a diverse group of students at a community college and the unlikely but enduring friendships they formed.
While the final season aired on a now-defunct platform, the dedication of ‘Community’ fans never waned. The movie’s arrival on Peacock will not only be a moment of triumph for loyal viewers but will also mark the fruition of a joke-turned-crusade that kept hope alive for years.
As the production gears up, the globally dedicated followers eagerly await the return to Greendale Community College, where laughs and heartwarming moments lie in store. With nearly complete assurance from Harmon, the journey of ‘Community’ is set to continue, bringing to life the power of a community bound by humor, heart, and, soon, a full-length feature film.