Simon Helberg revealed whether there are plans for Howard Wolowitz to return in the upcoming The Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. The first TBBT spinoff to be set after the events of The Big Bang Theory, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has been greenlit by HBO Max, with an official synopsis also being announced.
In an interview with Screen Rant’s Grant Hermanns, Helberg addressed his potential return in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, sharing how Howard’s return is not being discussed at this time. The revelation seemingly opposes the news of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe bringing back TBBT characters. Read Helberg’s quote below:
“There’s no plan for Howard to come back at the moment.”
What This Means For Stuart Fails To Save The Universe
The TBBT Spinoff May Be Very Different From The Parent Series
Howard Wolowitz not returning for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is undoubtedly sad, having been one of the key characters at the heart of The Big Bang Theory throughout the show’s run. At the same time, Howard not returning could give the TBBT spinoff the chance to set apart Stuart Fails to Save the Universe from the parent series.
The little that is known about Stuart Fails to Save the Universe already shows its differences from Big Bang Theory and any other spinoff, relying much more heavily on sci-fi elements than any of its predecessors. The whole premise of Stuart embarking on a mission in alternate universes ensures it won’t be as rooted in reality as its parent series.
As highlighted also by Helberg, The Big Bang Theory already concluded Howard’s story, making his return not necessary and even potentially detrimental if it undid Howard’s progress. Still, with Stuart Fails to Save the Universe showing alternate-universe versions of the Big Bang Theory characters, a version of Howard could still very much return, offering a unique take on the character.
With Stuart Fails to Save the Universe going in a direction that The Big Bang Theory or its other spinoffs had not gone before, it can build upon the world TBBT created by defying expectations. Featuring alternate-universe versions of TBBT characters can thus include recasts, or meeting them in different moments in their lives, overall making the spinoff more exciting.
Our Take On Howard Not Returning For The Third TBBT Spinoff
Stuart Fails To Save The Universe Can Focus On Its Core Characters
With Denise, Bert and Barry Kripke embarking on Stuart’s quest with him per Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’s synopsis, it’s likely that they will be the only constant in the Big Bang Theory spinoff, especially due to the sci-fi nature of Stuart’s adventure.
[The Big Bang Theory original characters pulling the focus from the spinoff’s protagonists] could thus make Howard not returning influence Stuart Fails to Save the Universe positively.
This can help Stuart Fails to Save the Universe spotlight them rather than the original Big Bang Theory protagonists, who could pull the focus if they were to appear, especially if they were the original versions and not alternate-universe ones. This could thus make Howard not returning influence Stuart Fails to Save the Universe positively.
