Chuck Lorre’s Sci-Fi Comedy Spinoff Gears Up for HBO Max

From comic books to cosmic chaos, ‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ blends big laughs with big-budget effects as Chuck Lorre and Zak Penn team up for a genre-defying “Big Bang Theory” spinoff.

Get ready for a galactic dose of laughter — Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, a new “The Big Bang Theory” spinoff, is officially in the works and promises to be unlike anything Chuck Lorre has ever done. Currently in development at Warner Bros. Television, this sci-fi comedy is being crafted by Lorre alongside The Avengers screenwriter Zak Penn and Big Bang co-creator Bill Prady.

Speaking at the Banff World Media Festival in Canada, Lorre shared that the team has already completed scripts for ten episodes. Although HBO Max hasn’t given the green light yet, the project seems poised for pickup.

“There’s a lot of CGI,” Lorre revealed. “I’ve spent decades writing scenes with two people talking on a couch. This time, we’re mixing science fiction, fantasy, and comedy. I’m completely out of my element — which is exactly where I wanted to be.” He admitted that he’s learning as he goes, embracing the challenge of venturing into unfamiliar territory.

The show will center around Stuart Bloom, played once again by Kevin Sussman, the quirky comic book store owner beloved by fans of The Big Bang Theory. The ensemble cast features returning actors from the original series, including Brian Posehn as geologist Bert Kibbler, Lauren Lapkus as Stuart’s love interest Denise, and John Ross Bowie reprising his role as the eccentric physicist Barry Kripke.

In a humorous aside, Lorre mentioned a recent disagreement with DC Comics, whose offices are near the Warner Bros. lot. “We made a joke about Green Lantern and they weren’t thrilled,” Lorre said. “Honestly, even as a kid, I thought Green Lantern was a bit of a stretch!”

While the plot remains under wraps, the creative team behind Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is clearly aiming for a unique blend of nerdy nostalgia and modern spectacle — a spiritual successor to Big Bang that’s willing to explore new comedic universes.

Reflecting on the longevity of his earlier shows, Lorre said he’s proud of how Young Sheldon became a standalone hit, even among viewers unaware of its ties to The Big Bang Theory. “That’s the goal,” he explained. “To build something that can stand on its own — not just ride the coattails of what came before.”

With Lorre’s sitcom legacy, Prady’s familiarity with the Big Bang universe, and Penn’s blockbuster credentials, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe might just be the next big thing in TV comedy — complete with lasers, laughs, and maybe even a jab or two at DC superheroes.

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