One of the Best TV Series Ever Made Reveals New Bonkers Sci-Fi Spin-Off Footage

Next year, The Big Bang Theory will turn 20 years old, yet time hasn’t slowed down the juggernaut sitcom. The ten-time Emmy-winning series may have ended back in 2019 after spending 12 seasons following the antics and evolution of four socially-awkward scientist friends, but co-creator Chuck Lorre has kept the laughs rolling, between the Cooper family-centric spin-off, Young Sheldon, and the currently-ongoing offshoot of that, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. After much anticipation, though, the franchise will finally be stepping away from the Coopers for the first time this year to focus instead on the friend group’s favorite comic book store owner.

First announced to be in development in 2023, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has been shown to be a different beast from the other, more grounded, family-focused Big Bang spin-offs. The series dips into sci-fi action as it follows Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman) after he unwittingly brings about calamity by destroying a powerful device built by Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki). To save all reality, he’s thrust into a multiversal adventure alongside fellow Big Bang alumni, including his girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), geologist Bert (Brian Posehn), and Sheldon’s annoying rival, string theorist Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie). Things often go horrifically wrong, as seen in a first look from last year’s HBO Max sizzle reel, where the group is about to be burned at the stake. Now, at CCXP Mexico, the first official trailer was released, teasing what other kinds of trouble Stuart will find himself in — and we’ve got the description here. Additionally, the studio dropped first-look images of the new series.

Moving to a sci-fi action premise is both odd and surprisingly fitting for the nerdy comedy series, opening up a world of possibilities for adventure. It’s also new ground for Lorre after years of making traditional sitcoms from Cybill to Two and a Half Men. He’s promised “a lot of CGI” in this more cinematic entry, something that’s reflected in the various worlds Stuart and the gang visit. Along this bizarre journey, they’ll also meet alternate-universe versions of characters Big Bang fans have come to know and love, paving the way for original stars like Parsons, Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, and more to potentially appear in some capacity.

‘The Big Bang Theory’s Newest Spin-Off Will Give Its Leads Space to Breathe

At CCXP Mexico, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe debuted an exclusive first look. Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, Bryan Posehn, and John Ross Bowie discussed their highly awaited spin-off of the iconic The Big Bang Theory, describing the show as “four really incompetent Doctor Whos” on a multiversal adventure. The show promises far more action than ever before, including plenty of stunts, plus all the humor we have come to expect from this franchise.

The premise will see Stuart (Sussman) breaking a device built by Leonard and Sheldon, thus triggering “a multiverse Armageddon.” Stuart will then have to embark on a mission to save the multiverse alongside his girlfriend, Denise (Lapkus), and his geologist friend, Bert (Posehn), often going against the “general pain in the ass” Kripke (Bowie). The only problem is how woefully unequipped Stuart is for the task.

The exclusive scene sees Stuart, Denise, and Bert as prisoners of Barry Kripke. In this particular universe, Kripke is the Grand Caliph of Pasadena, explaining he took advantage of the power vacuum at Caltech to seize control of the resources and, of course, the girls. When Denise asks Kripke if he wants to fix things, since that universe sucks, he only mocks her. Why would he change things if he has all the girls?

The show, which will have a new theme song by none other than Danny Elfman, looks unlike anything we’ve seen from Big Bang before, with Bowie revealing they’ll even do something no one could expect: curse! So, prepare to see a very foul-mouthed Barry Kripke. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will debut exclusively on HBO Max in July.

While the premise opens the door for so many Big Bang Theory reunions, Warner Bros. Television CEO Channing Dungey asserted last year that Stuart Fails to Save the Universe will be all about highlighting Sussman and company and their new dynamics. It does, however, promise much of the same humor that made its parent show so enduring. Lorre created the series with his partner on the sitcom that started it all, Bill Prady, alongside The Avengers co-writer Zak Penn. Further complicating matters for Stuart’s little group are fellow stars Ryan Cartwright, Josh Brener, and Tommy Walker, the latter of whom plays Denise’s jaw-dropping new boyfriend.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premieres sometime in 2026 on HBO Max.