Stuart Fails to Save the Universe trailer released

HBO Max has released the official trailer for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, the new sci-fi comedy spin-off set in the world of The Big Bang Theory, ahead of its premiere next month.

The single-camera comedy follows Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman) after he accidentally breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, causing a multiverse disaster. To repair reality, Stuart is joined by his girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), geologist friend Bert (Brian Posehn) and quantum physicist and regular pain-in-the-ass Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie). Their mission sends them through alternate realities filled with familiar Big Bang Theory characters, though the title makes it clear Stuart's attempt to put things right doesn't always go to plan.

The new trailer opens with Stuart and Bert walking through a marketplace with giant moths flying overhead. Stuart explains that he has been told he is "the chosen one" who can set things right, but wants Bert's advice on whether he should believe the man who told him that. Bert responds, "That guy was you."

From there, the trailer moves quickly through the show's multiverse, including apocalyptic wastelands, militarized worlds, snowy mountains and a reality where Kripke has become the dictator of South Pasadena.

In one scene, a hooded Denise pulls a gun on Stuart before realizing she is threatening her real-universe boyfriend. When he asks what she has been doing, she answers, "Robbing, mostly." Elsewhere, Stuart wakes in a sci-fi pod reminiscent of The Matrix, where his immediate concern is that he is now bald. Later, when Denise asks about his plan, Stuart admits, "I don't really have one. I'm kind of new to the action genre."

The trailer also features a glimpse of several familiar Big Bang Theory faces, including Ramona Nowitzki (Riki Lindhome) and Beverly Hofstadter (Christine Baranski). Penn and Teller appear in a later scene, performing magic tricks in exchange for food. Earlier footage had already shown brief appearances by Wil Wheaton and Joshua Malina, who played President Siebert.

Alongside the trailer, HBO Max released new key art for the series. The poster shows Stuart, Denise, Bert and Kripke standing on a mountain peak against a colorful cosmic backdrop, with the tagline: "Every universe needs a hero. We got Stuart."

New stills from the season were also released, showing Kripke in dictator mode questioning Denise, Stuart holding a weathered ration pack, Stuart and Denise in the comic book store with the machine, and Stuart inside the sci-fi pod. Other images place Kripke, Bert and Denise in a calmer tropical setting, while another shows the four main characters in army fatigues seated in front of the machine. A final still finds Bert, Kripke, Denise and Stuart waiting together at an airport.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is created, written and executive produced by Big Bang Theory co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady along with screenwriter Zak Penn (Ready Player One, Free Guy). Danny Elfman, whose work includes The Simpsons and Beetlejuice, composed the show's original music.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premieres Thursday, July 23 at 9 p.m. on HBO Max. New episodes will be released each Thursday and the season will consist of 10 episodes.