Creator Chuck Lorre offers new information about Stuart Fails To Save The Universe, and I think I have figured out what The Big Bang Theory spinoff’s story is. While it has been six years since The Big Bang Theory ended, the universe it left behind thrives in its past timeline. So far, the nerd-centric sitcom has had two offshoots — Young Sheldon and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, both of them taking place before the Pasadena gang convened. That’s about to change, as Lorre prepares to launch a post-The Big Bang Theory finale show.
Specific plot details about Stuart Fails To Save The Universe are still scant at the moment, but other pertinent details about the show have already been announced. For starters, Kevin Sussman’s character will be joined by Lauren Lapkus’ Denise, John Ross Bowie’s Barry, and Brian Posehn’s Bert. Instead of being on CBS like its predecessors, the 10-episode Stuart Fails To Save The Universe will 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 participated in the Banff World Media Festival 2025 and talked about a mix of topics that related to his long career as a producer. Naturally, the focus of his talk was on The Big Bang Theory franchise, which has officially spawned two period spinoffs and Sussman’s show as its very first sequel. While he wasn’t ready to divide information about the new project with Bill Prady and Zak Penn, he revealed that Stuart Fails To Save The Universe will feature a lot of VFX work — something that is new for him, considering his usual endeavors. Read his full quote below:
Lorre participated in the Banff World Media Festival 2025 and talked about a mix of topics that related to his long career as a producer. Naturally, the focus of his talk was on The Big Bang Theory franchise, which has officially spawned two period spinoffs and Sussman’s show as its very first sequel. While he wasn’t ready to divide information about the new project with Bill Prady and Zak Penn, he revealed that Stuart Fails To Save The Universe will feature a lot of VFX work — something that is new for him, considering his usual endeavors. Read his full quote below:
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 from Stuart 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 when The Big Bang Theory staged fun visions or dream sequences, most of it was still rooted in reality.
…I’m convinced that Stuart 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 in The Big Bang Theory.
Because of this, I realized that the only reason why Stuart Fails To Save The Universe will 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 not to spoil it. However, between the characters involved and everything we know about the show thus far, I’m convinced that Stuart 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 in The 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. While The Big Bang Theory featured 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 Universe will 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 as The 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 of The Big Bang Theory’s story. In Stuart 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 a The Big Bang Theory revival, 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. The Young Sheldon finale and Night Court ending 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 in Stuart Fails To Save The Universe are 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, like The Big Bang Theory was. 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.
It’s no secret that this will be the biggest question coming into the new The Big Bang Theory spinoff. The Young Sheldon finale 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. Perhaps Stuart Fails To Save The Universe could end with him coming back to his prime universe, where his old friends are.
