HBO Max is making a Big Bang Theory spinoff series, so get ready for more nerds in a sitcom setting. The streamer ordered a season of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, which will be executive produced by the Big Bang creators.
According to the show’s official synopsis, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will center on comic book store owner Stuart Bloom, who “is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon.
“Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert, and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke. Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory. As the title implies, things don’t go well.”
Creator Chuck Lorre explained in a statement that he really wanted to flex his creative muscle with this project.
“I wanted to do something radical that would take me out of my comfort zone. Something the characters on The Big Bang Theory, would have loved, hated, and argued about,” he said. Co-creator Zak Penn also noted in his own statement that they wanted to make “a show that the characters from Big Bang Theory would watch.”
HBO itself sounds just as pumped up. “We’re excited to be continuing the legacy of The Big Bang Theory,” HBO Max boss Casey Bloys said in a statement. “Much like the original series, this new chapter wouldn’t be possible without the vision and storytelling brilliance of Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, as well as Zak Penn, who has brought fresh insight and a distinctive voice to an already exceptional creative team.”
Lorre also previous revealed that the show would be effects-heavy and feature a lot of CGI, so it’ll be interesting to see what comes of those tactics, especially considering the sci-fi lean of the series.
No word just yet on casting or when to expect the show to premiere, but 2026 is probably as good a guess as any at this point.
Lex Briscuso is film and television critic and a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on Twitter at @nikonamerica.
