Danny Pudi still believes the Community movie will happen, four years after Peacock officially announced it. The actor, who played Abed Nadir on the NBC sitcom, says he remains “hopeful” that the long-delayed project will finally make it in front of cameras.
In a recent interview with Polygon, Pudi admitted he often learns about the movie’s status from fans rather than the people making it. “In typical Community fashion, I think people know about the Community movie or updates about the world online faster than I do,” he said. “So sometimes I’ll just ask people like, ‘Did we do it already? Are we in it? Have we filmed it? Are we waiting? Are we in post-production?'”
The Long Road From Six Seasons to a Movie
Community ran for six seasons between 2009 and 2015, following a group of students at the fictional Greendale Community College. The show built a devoted cult following during its time on NBC, surviving multiple cancellations and network changes before finally ending.
Its second season gave fans the phrase “six seasons and a movie,” which became a mantra for the show’s most dedicated viewers. The series did get its six seasons. The movie, however, has proven much harder to pull off.
Peacock announced the film in September 2022, with Joel McHale, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Gillian Jacobs, Jim Rash, and Ken Jeong all attached to return. Creator Dan Harmon and writer Andrew Guest were also set to be involved. The project has received occasional updates since then, but it still hasn’t started production.
Pudi Says Cast Is Eager to Reunite
Pudi told Polygon that the cast remains excited about getting back together for the movie. He said there have been “a few opportunities recently” that have made everyone even more eager to reunite.
“It’s been incredible seeing the show just kind of live on, catch on with new fans and new generations,” he added.
Despite the delays, Pudi said he remains optimistic about the movie’s chances.
“So I’m hopeful. I believe it will happen,” he said. “I’m very much an optimist and I think this is going to happen.”
“I’m very much an optimist and I think this is going to happen.”
Another Scheduling Roadblock Hit Earlier This Year
Pudi’s optimism comes despite the movie hitting another scheduling problem in March. Writer Andrew Guest explained on The Watch podcast that production had gotten “very close to shooting” before a scheduling conflict involving one of the cast members forced another delay.
Guest said the filmmakers want the ensemble together because the chemistry between the actors is such an important part of Community. The exact nature of the scheduling conflict has not been disclosed. It is also not clear which cast member was involved.
What We Know About the Movie So Far
The Community movie was announced in September 2022. Peacock confirmed that the original cast would return, along with Harmon and Guest. Since then, updates have been sporadic.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Show ran on NBC | 2009–2015 | Completed |
| Peacock announced movie | September 2022 | Announced |
| Production “very close to shooting” | March, earlier this year | Delayed |
| Release date | Not announced | Unknown |
Four years after the announcement, there is still no confirmed production date or release date for the film.
The Show’s Legacy Keeps Growing
Part of why the movie remains in demand is that Community has continued to find new audiences. The show’s reputation has only grown since it went off the air, and Pudi said he has noticed the effect.
“It’s been incredible seeing the show just kind of live on, catch on with new fans and new generations,” Pudi said.
The show’s second season gave fans the phrase “six seasons and a movie,” which became something of a mantra as the show survived multiple cancellations, network changes, and behind-the-scenes shake-ups. The phrase has become so persistent that it now serves as a shorthand for the show’s relationship with its audience.
Pudi Learns About the Movie From Fans
One of the more unusual aspects of the movie’s development is how little the cast seems to know about its status. Pudi told Polygon that he often finds out about the project from fans online.
“In typical Community fashion, I think people know about the Community movie or updates about the world online faster than I do,” he said. “So sometimes I’ll just ask people like, ‘Did we do it already? Are we in it? Have we filmed it? Are we waiting? Are we in post-production?'”
The comment suggests that the cast is not being kept fully informed about the movie’s development. Pudi’s character, Abed Nadir, was known for his obsession with pop culture and his tendency to view real life through the lens of TV tropes and movie conventions. The actor’s real-life confusion about the movie’s status feels fitting for the character he played.
What Happens Next for the Movie
For now, there still isn’t a release date for the Community movie. There isn’t even a confirmed production date.
The project was announced with much of the original creative team attached. Harmon and Guest were set to be involved with the film, with the main cast returning. But the scheduling issues that have plagued the project show no signs of being fully resolved.
Guest’s comments in March suggested that the filmmakers are committed to getting the entire cast together for the shoot. The chemistry between the actors is considered essential to what makes Community work, and the movie’s creators seem unwilling to compromise on that point.
That commitment is likely part of why the movie has taken so long to get off the ground. Coordinating the schedules of six actors who have all gone on to other projects is no small task.
A Mantra That Might Finally Come True
The phrase “six seasons and a movie” has followed Community since its second season. The show did get its six seasons, despite facing cancellation threats and network changes along the way.
The movie has been harder to deliver. But Pudi’s recent comments suggest that the cast remains committed to making it happen.
“So I’m hopeful. I believe it will happen,” he said. “I’m very much an optimist and I think this is going to happen.”
Whether Pudi’s optimism is justified remains to be seen. The project has faced multiple delays since it was announced, and there is no clear timeline for when production might begin.
But the show has a history of defying expectations. It survived cancellation threats and a network change during its original run. If the movie eventually makes it to screens, it would be one more surprise from a show that has built its reputation on them.
For now, fans will have to keep waiting. But if Pudi is right, “six seasons and a movie” may eventually become more than just the show’s most persistent joke.
Source: polygon.com