The ongoing writer’s strike has brought numerous productions to a halt, one of which is Peacock’s long-awaited film continuation of the beloved comedy “Community”.
The Sony Pictures Television-produced project was ordered at Peacock last September and was gearing up to start filming this summer – finally completing the long desire of “six seasons and a movie”.
Back in May, whilst out promoting FOX sitcom “Animal Control,” actor Joel McHale revealed that production on the “Community” movie was likely to be delayed due to the strike. However, he wasn’t “exactly sure” at the time how much of an impact it would have.
This week, he offered an update and is more aware of where things stand with the film. Speaking with Variety, he says series creator Dan Harmon and co-writer Andrew Guest had almost finalized the script before the strike happened.
“We had a shooting date coming up, which was going to be in the summer. And I think they were extremely close to – I mean, Dan [Harmon] is somebody that tweaks things but, obviously, that’s all stopped. But I think it was pretty darn close.
It was close, the shoot date was coming up, and we were all excited to do it, and then the writer’s strike happened, which obviously put everything on hold, and rightfully so. The writers are asking for very reasonable things. Writers need to be paid properly.”
He adds that they also appear to have landed on a director: “I know who wants to do it, and we’re talking to and is interested and engaged.”
A source tells the trade numerous conversations with various directors were held ahead of the strike, but with production dates in flux – no-one is committing just yet.
Whilst Chevy Chase isn’t coming back, things are still open for not yet committed Donald Glover and Yvette Nicole Brown to return, and Harmon has hinted that he should be able to get everyone back. McHale certainly thinks so: “I agree with Dan in that he’s going to get everybody on board.”
