Highlights
- Keith David has not been asked to return for the Community movie, but he wishes them success and would love to play his character again.
- David is not optimistic about getting the call to return, and he expressed that it would be unfortunate because he enjoyed playing Elroy.
- While it would be awesome to have David back for the movie, the core cast is what matters, and they will likely survive without him. Other cast members' returns remain to be seen.
With the Community movie greenlit, fans have their eyes peeled on who is and isn't returning to fulfill the #SixSeasonsAndAMovie prophecy. Keith David, who played Elroy Patashnik in the show's final season, expressed his skepticism that he will return for the movie.
When fans asked him if he would return in the Community movie, David confirmed that no one had contacted him about returning to play Patashnik. However, he would also welcome returning to play the character. Knowing the writers' strike's impact on the Community movie, that could change, but it sounds like David isn't too optimistic.
When asked about his return in the Community movie on his X account, David provided a straight answer. "I've not been asked, but I wish them much success on it!" He then added that his return was "not looking likely..." David added that he is not expecting to hear from them, though he'd like to play Patashnik again. "I won’t go into detail, but at this point, I’d be quite surprised to get that call. It’s unfortunate because I’d love to play Elroy one more time." When fans praised David for his portrayal, David got candid about the privilege of playing Patashnik. "I appreciate that. No matter what happens, I’ll always feel grateful to have been given the opportunity to bring Elroy to life, if only for one season."
David appeared in 12 of Community season 6's 13 episodes. Patashnik was a developer and software programmer introduced to the show after The Dean foolishly purchased a Virtual Reality gaming system. He then decided to enroll as a student at Greendale and was hired as the head of the school's IT Department. Though the show was on its last legs, David provided some fresh comedy to Community, with his standout episode being "Wedding Videography," where he did a hilarious bit on how Elroy was addicted to encouraging white people, then gave one of the show's funniest lines: "Now this is a man that knows how to marry his cousin!"
It is a shame that, as of now, there are no plans to bring him back. Then again, as solid as he was in Community season 6, it's not like he was a super important character in the long run. It's already been confirmed that Donald Glover will return to play Troy Barnes, which is what the fans have wanted ever since the movie was announced. Having an old pro like David back for the movie would be awesome, but they'll survive without him.
Although David won't be back, it remains to be seen if other cast members will return, like Paget Brewster as Francesca Dart or Better Call Saul star Jonathan Banks as Buzz Hickey. Discontinuing recurring characters is not new for Community. Remember Vaughn Miller, Professor Slater, and Professor Whitman? They were all completely forgotten and never mentioned again shortly after season 1 was over. The core cast is mostly back, and that's all that matters.
The Community movie will be streamed on Peacock.
Source: Keith David/X