COMMUNITY may get its six seasons and a movie!

“Six seasons and a movie!” What began as just a slogan and in-joke shouted out by Danny Pudi’s Abed on fan-favourite self-aware comedy Community, may just become prophecy. Much like it’s comedy compatriot on NBC, Parks and Recreation, Community has been very highly praised, but it’s never been a ratings hog meaning that a threat of cancellation was always looming. Never more so than in the show’s creatively bankrupt fourth season, during which the studio decided to try and go it alone, getting rid of creator Dan Harmon.

But the very anal retentiveness that made Harmon such a pain to work with, was what had assured the show’s success in the first place. Luckily, NBC saw the error of their ways and got Harmon back on board for the show’s current fifth season, during which it’s been doing steady business ratings-wise. Enough that things are starting to look very promising for the on-screen future of Greendale Community College.

According to TV Guide‘s insider sources at NBC and Sony, it’s very likely that the show will be getting a 13-episode final season. And once that season wraps, they may just set their sights on an even bigger target with a feature length movie. What’s more, they already have a rather big deal director in mind.

Now for those of you who don’t watch the show (and who will find yourselves promptly shunned until you do), they regularly parody various genres and tropes in the zaniest way possible, and possibly the greatest out of all of these was the action movie ripoff, paintball episode, “Modern Warfare”. An episode that was actually directed by none other than Fast & Furious franchise helmsman, Justin Lin.

According to TV Guide, while Lin has not been formally approached about anything, his name is definitely at the top of the list of directors who would offered the gig if it materializes. Lin did amazing things in that episode, and it would be blast to seem him return to this crazy world.

That being said, as much I adore the show, I live under no illusion that a Community feature film will make more money at the box office than Darryn uses for his lunch every day. While the core concept of “a zany group of misfits hanging around the worst tertiary education institution you’ve ever seen” is a simple one, with supposed wide appeal, the show plays out in a very niche way, constantly cracking in-jokes and throwing out references that viewers who are not fans of pop culture – in particular, geek pop culture – will miss out on. Trust me I know all about this, as I sit on the couch every week, laughing my geeky gluteus off, while my not very entertained wife stares at me like I’ve lost my mind.

So if a movie were to happen, it would have to be a VOD or straight-to-TV release, where NBC won’t feel like they have to risk too much of a budget on possibly iffy returns. And all they’d have to do is just take one of the show’ infamous moments of taking a silly concept and running with it to its very extreme (they turned a childish game of lava floor into some post apocalyptic class war in just 15 minutes). Only this time, running even a little further with it, upping the scale and budget just enough.

Whatever happens, I just want spend more time with these lovable oddballs. Especially Annie’s Boobs. That’s a real character, I promise.

Last Updated: March 28, 2014