Creator Chuck Lorre offers new information aboutStuart Fails To Save The Universe, and I think I have figured out whatThe Big Bang Theoryspinoff’s story is. While it has been six years sinceThe Big Bang Theoryended, the universe it left behind thrives in its past timeline. So far, the nerd-centric sitcom has had two offshoots —Young SheldonandGeorgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, both of them take place before the Pasadena gang convened. That’s about to change, as Lorre prepares to launch a post-The Big Bang Theoryfinale show.
Specific plot details aboutStuart Fails To Save The Universeare still scant at the moment, but other pertinent details about the show have already been announced. For starters, Kevin Sussman’s character will bejoined by Lauren Lapkus' Denise, John Ross Bowie’s Barry, and Brian Posehn’s Bert. Instead of being on CBS like its predecessors, the10-episodeStuart Fails To Save The Universewill be on HBO Max. Now, however, Lorre reveals new information about it. While it isn’t about its narrative, it gives me an idea about the show will actually be about.
Stuart’s The Big Bang Theory Spinoff Will Have A Lot Of CGI
Lorre Says The New The Big Bang Theory Spinoff Is “Different”
Lorre attended the Banff World Media Festival 2025and talked about a mix of topics that relate to his long career as a producer. Naturally, the focus of his talk was onThe Big Bang Theoryfranchise, which has officially spawned two period spinoffs and Sussman’s show as its very first sequel. While he wasn’t ready to divulge information about the new project with Bill Prady and Zak Penn, he revealed thatStuart Fails To Save The Universewill feature a lot of VFX work— something that is new for him, considering his usual endeavors. Read his full quote below:
“There’s a lot of CGI. There’s a lot of special technical stuff that — you know, for me in my career, a big production number was two people sitting on a couch, drinking coffee! This is different. This is trying to incorporate some of that world of science fiction/fantasy into a comedy. And I’m completely out of my element, which is what I wanted. Which is what I was hoping to do, something that I had no experience with. And maybe I can learn as we go.”
Understandably, Lorre is hesitant to say anything plot-related aboutStuart Fails To Save The Universe. Technically, the show hasn’t gotten the greenlight from HBO Max, which means that production has yet to happen. The show doesn’t even have an officiall release date yet. That said, Lorre and his collaborators already finishing the script for its first 10 episodes, which would likely be the number of outings for its first season on the streaming service, is a sign that they are confident thatThe Big Bang Theoryfranchise will move forward, and it’s only a matter of time before it does.
Stuart Fails To Save The Universe May Be Taking Place In An Alternate Reality
It Explains A Lot Of Things
Just because Lorre didn’t talk about story details doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything from his comment that reveals something about what to expect fromStuart Fails To Save The Universe’s story. The fact that it will be CGI-heavy is particularly interesting to me, considering that all other shows in the franchise were quite grounded. This is why the producer admits that he is in uncharted territory with his new endeavor. Even whenThe Big Bang Theorystaged fun visions or dream sequences, most of it was still rooted in reality.
…I’m convinced thatStuart Fails To Save The Universe’s story will take place in an alternate reality where Stuart is the primary driver of the narrative instead of a side character, which he was inThe Big Bang Theory.
Because of this, I realized that the only reason whyStuart Fails To Save The Universewill feature a lot of CGI work is if it isn’t a straight-up sitcom. Lorre has been mum about its premise, and the title is peculiar enough to not spoil it. However, between the characters involved and everything we know about the show thus far, I’m convinced thatStuart Fails To Save The Universe’s story will take place in an alternate reality where Stuart is the primary driver of the narrative instead of a side character, which he was inThe Big Bang Theory.
How they achieve this is currently uncertain, but Lorre’s comment about incorporating"science fiction/fantasy into a comedy"further backs this up. WhileThe Big Bang Theoryfeatured scientists as its lead characters, the show made sure that its scientific findings were as accurate as possible. It even had real-life specialists as consultants.Stuart Fails To Save The Universewill fully delve into science fiction and fantasy when it propels Stuart and the rest of its cast to an alternate universe where they become the primary characters instead of supporting ones.
Somehow, this also makes sense, considering Stuart’s role asThe Big Bang Theory’s comic book shop owner. While he isn’t textbook smart like Sheldon and his friends, he is knowledgeable in everything in the world of superheroes and print, which was a big part ofThe Big Bang Theory’s story. InStuart Fails To Save The Universe, he will be the hero of the story — although the show’s title questions whether he’s effective in the role.
How Stuart Fails To Save The Universe Existing In An Alternate Reality Solves Its Biggest TBBT Issue
The Pasadena Gang’s Absence Won’t Be Looming On It
Despite continued clamor for aThe Big Bang Theoryrevival, it doesn’t seem like it is in the cards anytime soon. Some cast members have expressed their desire to revisit their old roles, but the logistics of it all is simply to difficult to sort out at this point. TheYoung SheldonfinaleandNight Courtending offered some mini-reunions, but that will likely be the extent of that in the near future. Because of this, the chances of seeing more than two Pasadena gang members inStuart Fails To Save The Universeare very little to none.
Exploring a different version of life that doesn’t involve the nerd-centric sitcom’s main cast is not only an interesting premise, as it allows Stuart Fails To Save The Universe to explore what life would be like for Stuart if he wasn’t associated with the Pasadena gang, it also justifies Sheldon, Leonard, and the rest’s absence.
Luckily, the alternate reality premise can address this. There will understandably be questions about Sheldon and his friends' whereabouts in the new show, assuming that it will still be set in the greater Pasadena area, likeThe Big Bang Theorywas. Exploring a different version of life that doesn’t involve the nerd-centric sitcom’s main cast is not only an interesting premise, as it allowsStuart Fails To Save The Universeto explore what life would be like for Stuart if he wasn’t associated with the Pasadena gang, it also justifies Sheldon, Leonard, and the rest’s absence.
It’s no secret that this will be the biggest question coming into the newThe Big Bang Theoryspinoff. TheYoung Sheldonfinale hinted that while Sheldon and Amy are still friends with their old group,Leonard may no longer be with them. Between these canon questions and the challenges of bringin the Pasadena gang into the new show, going this narrative route effectively resolves all questions with little to no complication. PerhapsStuart Fails To Save The Universecould end with him coming back to his prime universe, where his old friends are.
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory is a media franchise that has expanded from the original titular TV show that follows a group of friends who live near and with one another as they attempt to bridge social gaps due to their geeky nature and further their scientific pursuits. The show eventually spun off with a TV special and a prequel series, Young Sheldon, which follows the origins of Sheldon Cooper and how he rose to become the brilliant physicist he is.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe
Cast
Stuart Bloom, the endearing yet perpetually unlucky comic book store owner from The Big Bang Theory, takes center stage in this upcoming spinoff. The series follows Stuart as he navigates new challenges, relationships, and misadventures, all while attempting (and humorously failing) to “save the universe.”
