The Big Bang Theory universe is getting another familiar face, as Wil Wheaton appears in new footage from the upcoming HBO Max spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.
Wheaton, who played a heightened version of himself across the original sitcom, appears briefly in the latest sizzle reel for the new series. The moment sees him inside Stuart’s comic book store, seemingly firing an energy blast at Stuart, Denise, Bert and Barry Kripke. Watch the new preview below.
The new spinoff follows comic book store owner Stuart Bloom, played by Kevin Sussman, after he accidentally breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, triggering a multiverse Armageddon. With reality in trouble, Stuart must try to fix the damage with help from Denise, played by Lauren Lapkus, geologist Bert, played by Brian Posehn, and quantum physicist Barry Kripke, played by John Ross Bowie.
The series comes from Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn and The Big Bang Theory co-creator Bill Prady, with Danny Elfman composing original theme music. HBO Max has confirmed the comedy series will debut in the US on 23 July, with the UK release following on 24 July.
For CultureCues, Wheaton’s appearance feels like a clever way to remind fans that this is still very much tied to the world they already know, even as the show pushes the franchise into stranger territory. The Big Bang Theory always loved sci-fi, comic books and fandom from the safety of the sofa, but Stuart Fails to Save the Universe seems ready to actually throw those characters into the kind of story they would once have argued about for an entire episode. Honestly, that might be exactly the kind of weird swing this franchise needs.
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premieres on HBO Max in the US on 23 July, with the UK release following on 24 July. Watch the official teaser below.
Nikki Murray is a UK-based writer, screenwriter and founder & editor of CultureCues, covering film, television, music and pop culture. Her work focuses on storytelling and the moments shaping modern entertainment.