Donald Glover Returning for ‘Community’ Movie

The much-anticipated spin-off of the cult sitcom is creeping closer to being a reality, and according to one of its stars, another will be showing up.

Donald Glover as Troy Barnes on NBC's 'Community.' Photo courtesy of NBC.com.

“Six seasons and a movie!” It was a rallying cry for fans of the cult sitcom ‘Community’, which was created by Dan Harmon. The series ran for 110 episodes over six seasons, with its first five seasons airing on NBC from September 17, 2009, to April 17, 2014, and its final season airing on Yahoo! Screen between March 17 to June 2, 2015.

Harmon has long said he intends to fulfill the fans’ dream of making a movie based on the show and the idea has grown over the years since the series left screens.

NBC’s streaming service Peacock announced last year that the film would be a reality:

"Six seasons and a movie’ started out as a cheeky line from ‘Community’s early seasons and quickly ignited a passionate fan movement for this iconic, hilarious and cool (cool, cool) NBC comedy. We’re incredibly grateful that 15 years later, we are able to deliver fans this promised movie and can’t wait to get to work with Dan Harmon, Andrew Guest, Joel McHale, Sony and our partners at UTV to continue this epic comedy for Peacock audiences.”
Joel McHale as Jeff Winger on NBC's 'Community.' Photo courtesy of NBC.com.

Now, according to Joel McHale, Donald Glover –– who hadn’t been listed along with the other cast members for the movie –– is on board.

Talking on Kelly Ripa’s ‘Let’s Talk Off Camera’ podcast, McHale said this:

“Donald’s coming back and that’s really important. The fact that Donald’s gonna do it, that was the big piece. But I think everyone’s coming back. I mean, so far we’re pretty good. And I think that will happen. If not then, you know, Donald will be there.”

What was the story of ‘Community’?

Cast of 'Community.' Photo courtesy of NBC.com.

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Set at a community college in the fictional Colorado town of Greendale, the series starred an ensemble cast including McHale, Glover, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Ken Jeong, Chevy Chase, and Jim Rash as a group of students brought together as a study group, plus a crazed example of the teaching staff and the equally offbeat dean of the college.

Harmon and his writing staffed used the show to poke fun at tropes and genres, frequently using meta references and humor while also maintaining a level of heart for the group as they slowly bonded. McHale played snarky, washed-up lawyer Jeff Winger, who is suspended by the state law bar for falsely claiming he had a bachelor’s degree and must gain one to get his career back.

Glover played Troy Barnes, a former high school football star who is now in something of a rut. He strikes up a friendship with Abed (Dani Pudi), who boasts an encyclopedic knowledge of TV shows and movies. Abed struggles to interact with others via conventional means due to his implied autism, so he often chooses to interpret the group’s everyday activities by comparing them to film and TV narratives.

With Glover confirmed, the only cast member not officially returning so far is Yvette Nicole Brown, but with luck she’ll be back before too long.

And she has time to decide anyway –– the movie is on hold right now in solidarity with the writers’ strike.