“Six seasons and a movie!” Abed Nadir proclaimed to resident pessimist Jeff Winger, regarding the former’s belief that they exist within a TV series. Abed firmly believed his series involving The Greendale Seven would run for six seasons, then he’d tie everything in a bow of finality with a movie. In a perfect world, that’s how all TV shows would operate. Greendale Community College and the endearing antics within acted as a source of refuge for Community fans everywhere for six years. Thus, six seasons of that sacred prophecy were fulfilled. But what about the movie?
Now, Community creator Dan Harmon has teased the idea of a film. Even various cast members have expressed an eagerness to return to Greendale for one last time. Granted, Community gave us a bittersweet, memorable finale in 2015 when Jeff (Joel McHale) asked the former study group to envision their perfect Season 7. Each member, respectively, pitched their ideas for how they hope the following year will play out at Greendale. Jeff himself imagined a life spent with Annie (Alison Brie), although the latter accepted an internship that would whisk her off to Washington D.C. Ultimately, Jeff reluctantly let Annie slip through his fingers, and realized his friends needed to spread their collective wings, exploring everything the wide world had to offer.
Of course, like Dean Pelton’s obsession with Jeff’s sculpted physique, we all obsess over the possibilities wrapped in a potential Community movie. Just me? Below, I’ve listed my 10 requirements for a hypothetical Community film. Now, said requirements are non-negotiable. Nothing would make me happier than to see my favorite college study group on screen once again. I love me a good button. In the immortal words of one Britta Perry, “Me so happy, me so merry!”
- The Return of Troy
Regrettably, this one is a long shot. Donald Glover has his hands full with hit series Atlanta and the impending star-studded remake of The Lion King. However, with Greendale, all things are possible. To me, Troy was the beating heart and soul of Community. Hands down, he’s my favorite character. Plus, it would be easy to write in his return since Troy is still alive, unlike Pierce. Come on, Glover. Abed (Danny Pudi) needs his other half. They don’t call it “Abed in the Morning,” you know.
- Return of Supporting Characters
Now, one of the reasons why Community works so well is due to the talented comedic ensemble behind it. Frankie (Paget Brewster) and Elroy (Keith David) were such a breath of fresh air in Season 6. I would love to see them make their triumphant return. Of course, one can’t forget Shirley (Yvette Nicole Brown). She was one of the original Greendale Seven. The more, the merrier. I also wouldn’t be opposed to an appearance from Rachel. Her chemistry with Abed was sweetly endearing. Like, cavity-inducing endearing. However, Brie Larson is currently knee-deep in all things Marvel.
- A Paintball Tournament
What’s Community without a good ol’ game of friendly paintball? The paintball episodes of Season 1 and Season 2 were easily some of the show’s best. Not to mention, they were directed by The Russo Brothers. Score! Can you imagine snagging The Russo Brothers to direct a potential Community film? Talk about meandering down memory lane! To me, and many others I’m sure, “paintball” and “Community” are synonymous with one another. You can’t have one without the other. Maybe the game ends with someone unexpected snatching the crown. The possibilities are endless…and hopefully covered in paint.
- The Dean and His Outfits
Dean Pelton (Jim Rash) is a man of style. A man of infinite class, a questionable love of Dalmatians and an unwavering obsession with disbarred lawyer Jeff Winger. His outfits are feasts for the eyes. Some might say they are the Eighth Wonder of the World. Any time Pelton would burst into the study room clad in a cowboy outfit or Victorian garb I knew something delightful was in store. Just give us the costumes, and the endless supply of puns that accompany them. In the clearly paraphrased words of Scarlett O’Hara, “Frankly my dear, I give a Dean!”
- A Musical Sequence
Remember the Christmas musical episode from Season 2, when Abed thought everyone was Claymation? The songs were creative, toe-tappingly catchy and undeniably streets ahead. What about the Glee-inspired Christmas episode from Season 3? Community always colored outside the lines, and never shied away from an opportunity to inject song. Not to mention, Britta’s (Gillian Jacobs) awkward dancing is award worthy in and of itself. Perhaps Glover and Pudi could rap our faces off again. I wouldn’t complain.
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- “The Annie of it All”
Now, I realize some people might have found the will-they-won’t-they vibe that perpetually encompassed Jeff and Annie to be irritating. However, I’m not one of those people. Their chemistry was undeniable. Of course, a deeper connection developed between them over the years, and Annie eventually viewed Jeff as an older mentor figure of sorts. But the romantic part of me would like to see that mushy-gushy aspect of their relationship bloom. You know, “the Annie of it all.” She helped Jeff find his humanity as well as brought out his silly side, and it doesn’t get better than that.
- A School Dance
Why did Greendale have so many school dances? Perhaps the better question would be, “Why not?” Dances are fun, especially when they’re themed dances at a community college. So many pivotal moments in Community history took place at a school dance – Britta admitting her love for Jeff at the Transfer Dance in the Season 1 finale. Jeff and Annie sharing their first smooch in the very same episode. Troy and Abed fighting over the same girl at the Valentine’s Day Dance. Abed meeting Rachel at a dance. Who knows what might happen if a social shindig were to occur in our hypothetical film!
- The Return of the Darkest Timeline
Dark Abed and co. did their evil bidding in Season 4, when the villainous fiends faced off against our heroes. Of course, the Greendale Seven walked away victorious, but since the Darkest Timeline was a fabrication courtesy of Abed in his Dreamatorium, said dark alter egos could return. The Darkest Timeline would open the doors of escapism, that which Community is very much adept at. Also, exploring the world of The Darkest Timeline could reel in new villains or new threats to Greendale. Can someone say, “film antagonists?”
- Britta Reuniting with Subway Rick
Now, Subway Rick (Travis Schuldt) truly was the one that got away for our Britta. They were perfect for each other, but unfortunately Rick’s soul belonged to the culinary juggernaut that is Subway (and later the consumer powerhouse Honda). Their love could never be. They were the Romeo and Juliet of Community. Everyone incessantly took pot shots at Britta, but I believe she deserves to find happiness. While she did tend to bungle or “Britta up” whatever schemes our crew concocted, she does have a good heart. Her intentions are pure. Let’s give her a happy ending that even she can’t Britta up. It’ll be Britta-proof.
- It’s a Movie Within the Movie
If you can recall, Abed created a film about Jesus in Season 2. Said film morphed into the most meta movie that ever existed. Abed asserted that everyone was in the movie – the movie is life, and life is the movie. Similarly, I’d like to see Abed film a final project in our potential Community movie, wherein Abed references the “six seasons and a movie” prophecy. Perhaps he addresses that they’re all in a movie, and that said movie truly marks the end of their show. You know, the “show” that Abed wholeheartedly believed the study group was a part of for six years. Now he’s the creator of our movie within a movie. Okay, my head is about to explode. That may be too much meta for our minds to handle.
Community never failed to make me laugh and is still my go-to comedic remedy to this day. It smashed down the barriers surrounding reality, so I could escape. If you think about it, every episode was like a journey into Abed’s Dreamatorium, where we traveled across the stars with Inspector Spacetime and fought off our alter egos that tried to infiltrate reality from the Darkest Timeline. We went to all five dances and participated in all the paintball tournaments. We stood in for glee club at the competitive level after the original team perished in that mysterious bus crash. Greendale was our home away from home.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to binge watch Community again in its entirety and pray to Harmon that he’ll fulfill the prophecy. Six seasons and a movie – that would be streets ahead. Make it so!
Community Seasons 1-6 are now streaming on Hulu.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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