Glee Spoilers Comic Con: Chord Overstreet Leaving Glee, Cast Grads May Be Back for Season 4

By On 07/24/2011 · 24 Comments · In Glee

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OMG these Glee spoilers coming out of today’s Comic Con in San Diego are CRAZY.

It looks like graduating Gleeksters Chris Colfer, Lea Michele and Cory Monteith may come back for Season 4 after all! FOX OK’d a spin-off for Rachel and Kurt, but the producers are leaning against it.

Plus, TV Line’s Mike Ausiello must feel vindicated. He’s moderating the Glee panel today. And as it turns out Chord Overstreet IS LEAVING GLEE FOR GOOD, like he originally reported.

“Chord Overstreet will not be back this fall — at all. According to Falchuk, Overstreet was offered a deal to return for 10 episodes with an eye towards becoming a series regular at midseason, but the 22-year-old actor declined.”   Bye Chord.

  • Read more at TV Line
  • Read a complete Live Blog from Digital Spy HERE.

But here’s the craziest bit of news to come out of the panel. While series co-creator said unequivocally in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, that graduating seniors would not return to Glee for Season 4, fellow producer, Brad Falchuk is now pulling a complete about face:

“Here’s the exact thing: [Rachel, Kurt and Finn] are seniors, so they’re graduating,” Falchuk explained, “but because they’re graduating doesn’t mean they’re leaving the show. If you have Lea Michele under contract, you don’t say, ‘We’re gonna let you go.’” Plus, he noted, “A number of the original [cast members' characters] are not graduating this year.”

Falchuk reiterated, “It was never our plan or our intention to let them go…. They are not done with the show after this season.”

So what’s the deal with the backpedaling?  I’m thinking that FOX read the THR interview and basically blew a gasket.  Losing 3 of the most popular characters on the series could spell disaster.

If the graduating seniors stay on, does this mean Rachel and Kurt won’t go off to college? Those two are meant to leave Lima, anything else would not make sense for their characters.  Or will there be a parallel story line going on in another city? Diluting the original point of the series with a bunch of messy story lines would also suck.

Best case scenario would have been a spinoff series, which FOX did OK. But, for whatever reason, the producers don’t want to move forward with that idea anymore.  Oh, and Falucuk admits all that stuff in the finale about Rachel, Kurt and Blaine moving to NYC was a spinoff plant.

More spoilery updates from the panel via @TVGuide and @UltimateGleeks @gleeks, Digital Spy:

Sitting on the Comic Con panel today were series executive producer, Dante di Loreto, co-creators Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk, Choreographer Zack Woodlee, Movie director,  Kevin Tanchearoen, Harry Shum Jr. (Mike), Darren Criss (Blaine), Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina) and Dot Marie Jones (Coach Beiste).

Brad Falchuk says they are leaning against a spin off with Rachel and Kurt but FOX DID okay one. “It was weird when Chris Colfer was saying he heard on Twitter about him not coming back, because we hadn’t talked to him about it since March.”

Falchuk: “If you watched the finale last season, Broadway was something we were planting as a possibility because we were exploring it.”

Tina and Artie getting back together? Tina and Mike are doing just fine.

Falchuk: “We’re going to meet Mike’s parents. His parents will have opinions on what he should do with his life.”

Tina is a junior, not a senior. “The opening sequence is everybody saying what they want to do when they grow up, so you see everyone’s anxieties.”

On finally meeting Rachel’s dads: “I think soon we’ll reveal more and more.”   There was a scene in season 1 with Rachel’s dads, but it was cut. Idina Menzel will return as Rachel’s mom.

They’re good, they’re solid… they’re two stars so there will be problems, but they’re not breaking up. — Falchuk on Klaine.

Kurt+Blaine news? “They’re kind of in the honeymoon phase,” says Darren Criss “I’m a big fan of Klaine”

Is Blaine joining New Directions? “You have to tune in.”

Will Blaine be developed more this season? Brennan: “Yes.”

Karovsky’s sidekick probably won’t be coming back “We switched off on him. We don’t even know if he’s coming back next year.” says Falchuk.

Mercedes will have a new boyfriend in the premiere that she met over the summer

Mercedes’ boyfriend is a “big bubba” kind of guy, “very encouraging” — Brad Falchuk

Dot Marie Jones will be back next season. “We have some great stuff for her.”

Brittany/Santana storyline started as a goof, but then became something much deeper and we are proud of it – Brad #glee #sdcc

Tribute episode: Falchuk – “We talked about it. If it’s going to happen, it will happen in the second half of the season. We really do want to spend some real time with the characters in the first nine, ten episodes.”.

Falchuk says the first nine episodes will focus on the run-up to Sectionals.

#glee movie will allow you to get a glimpse of characters backstage

“Always the story first. The song can then fuel that” – Brad

“The stories that are coming out are gonna knock your socks off. It’s gonna be the most extraordinary season.” – Dante di Loreto

Coach Sue is running for Congress. Brennan: “Sue’s running for congress. Ken died of a heart attack.” Flachuk: “She’s taken destroying Will and the Glee club on a local level, now she’s taken it to a national level. Sue’s running on a ‘no arts’ platform.”

Showrunners think Finchel is a “FANTASTIC” couple and they really hope to explore their relationship this season.

Writers are taking time to carve out longer character arcs this year, says Falchuk

Id

#GLEE OFFICIALLY starts filming Season Three on August 8th!

 
  • ahut291

    Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t we hear who was cast as Mercedes new boyfriend, unless it was the winner of The Glee Project? (Or is it too early to cast?) This makes me feel fairly confident that one of the guys left will win, but I don’t know.

  • smartalek

    Neither Lea Michele nor Chris Colfer nor Cory for that matter are going to continue Glee past their graduations when they can do other projects. Lea’s character was originally the show’s lead. I don’t think she is going to remain on the show with a small role rather than walk away on a high note. These spoilers are ridiculous. Also, most of that cast should be seniors. The Cheerios have to be seniors or there are major plot inconsistencies. They were clearly in the Thunderclap the year before S1, meaning they had to be sophmores and couldn’t be freshmen. Also the producers blew it with Chord’s character and are stupid.

  • Montavilla

    Tina is a junior, not a senior.

    So, the one character who never gets to do anything will be the last ND standing? Hehe.

    I doubt that Mercedes’ boyfriend will be one of the GP guys. None of them are the “big bubba” type.

    I think the spin-off idea is the best solution to the graduation deadline. A show about young hopefuls in NYC is something that could go in a lot of directions.

    For example, Rachel might go full-tilt at a Broadway career, doing the call-backs, chorus line, understudying, etc. I’d love to see her struggling at the bottom. Not because I dislike her, but because there’s a lot of story material there.

    Kurt might explore the club scene or start doing one-man shows Off-Off Broadway.

    Blaine’s parents might insist that he attend college, so maybe he’s enrolled in Columbia, NYU, or perhaps Julliard (if he’s more musically than theatrically inclined). Or maybe he’s majoring in something else completely and the Glee Club was always just an extra-curricular for him.

  • smartalek

    I think it’s obvious that the glee producers are going to make Naya and Heather juniors too b/c they love those two. Amber’s character will also be a junior. There’s no way that Mark or Diana can be juniors anyways so they’ll also graduate. The whole thing make no sense. There’s no way graduating members can stay on the show, their roles would be tiny. Why would actors who were the show’s leads stay on with miniscule roles. It makes no sense. These producers have such delusions, it’s not even funny anymore. And as a BIG fan of the show, these asenine spoilers are pissing me off. I’d rather see the original cast graduate together at the same time.

  • JJ123

    I wasn’t sure if it was worth watching anymore and now it sounds as if it definitely is not. It’s a bummer because the show used to be good but it has gotten continuously worse and by the end of last season I actually loathed watching it but stuck with it to see it through. In my personal opinion Finchel is one of the worst TV couples ever and seeing how the show’s demographic is getting younger and younger it’s sad that they consider the dysfunctional couple “fantastic”. Klaine is a good couple but I just don’t care very much about them. I know they haven’t even started filming and are still in the writing process but since is the direction they’re going I’m definitely done….sad.

  • http://mjsbigblog.com/luvadamlamberts-american-idol-tour-2009-washington-dc-re-cap.htm luvadamlambert

    Klaine is chill but imma miss chord

  • karrahbrooke

    I’m sad that Chord won’t be back at all. I loved the idea of him and Mercedes having a secret relationship. Now they’re gonna have some bullshit explanation for his absence.

  • wjmtv

    karrahbrooke says:
    07/24/2011 at 4:05 pm
    I’m sad that Chord won’t be back at all. I loved the idea of him and Mercedes having a secret relationship. Now they’re gonna have some bullshit explanation for his absence.

    Actually, writing him out doesn’t require any imagination at all: his dad got a job in another state.

    As long as Bieste is around I don’t care what they do with the rest of ‘em.

  • Grammie Kari

    Probably Chord’s absence will be explained by his father finding a good job in another state. However, I would like to see a going away party. I could see him appearing on a soap opera but it seems those are disappearing.

    I really wouldn’t want the whole class graduate together. I also thought that Kurt was a year younger than Blaine. I still like Rachel with Finn. Knowing these producers, they may just have them get married. Who knows?

  • mandabutter

    So what’s the deal with the backpedaling? I’m thinking that FOX read the THR interview and basically blew a gasket. Losing 3 of the most popular characters on the series could spell disaster.

    Or, Ryan Murphy was more on the side w/ FOX and the approved spin-off idea and didn’t get all his ducks in a row as far as actors and their contracts. Other writers and EPs (Falchuk, Brennan, etc) were against letting the actors go.

    Ent. Weekly confirmed that Cory, Chris, and Lea all have 7-year contracts and aren’t getting out of them anytime soon…
    Now that it has been reported that Chord was offered a deal and he declined, I’m not so sad.

  • mandabutter

    Neither Lea Michele nor Chris Colfer nor Cory for that matter are going to continue Glee past their graduations when they can do other projects.

    Their 7year contracts may stipulate how many episodes they HAVE to be available for per season – limiting the duration of side projects, as they are labeled leads or series regulars.
    Chord was going to be given time off to do an album but passed on the season all together.

    Two weeks ago or whenever it was that THR story broke, the show The Insider had a correspondent that said her source claimed Lea Michele was not going down (or out) quietly, without a fight, as she put it. I’m inclined to believe her now. :)
    And I am SUPER happy for Dot/Beiste. The Sue storyline spoilers already have me cracking up.

  • mandabutter

    A show about young hopefuls in NYC is something that could go in a lot of directions.

    Yes, in a lot of NEW directions. Heh. Sorry. :)

    And no one said New Directions club and Mr. Schue had to stay at McKinley High in Lima Ohio…. *wink

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    And no one said New Directions club and Mr. Schue had to stay at McKinley High in Lima Ohio….

    Then what would happen to the rest of the club? I don’t see how that could happen.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Chris, Lea and Cory are signed to 7 year contracts, but FOX has the option to drop them:

    EW confirmed that all of the actors have signed traditional seven-year contracts so it’s not like their deals were going to expire after next season, though the studio retains the right to drop them year after year.

    But why would FOX drop 3 popular actors? They wouldn’t, of course. So it was either “spinoff” or turn Glee into something it wasn’t previously in order to keep the graduating seniors on the show.

  • wjmtv

    MASSIVE SCANDAL ERUPTS AT MCKINLEY HIGH

    ALL STAFF FIRED EXCEPT COACH BIESTE AND SPANISH TEACHER WILLIAM SCHUSTER

    INSTRUCTORS ACCUSED OF COLLUSION IN FAKING TEST SCORES AND ACT EXAM ANSWERS

    “I thought it would work,” claims disgraced Coach Sue Sylvester, who has vowed to take Washington by storm.

    ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2012 MUST RE-TAKE THEIR JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR CLASSES

    * * *

    Problem solved. :)

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    OMG lol ^^^^

    Just so you know, I keep updating the live blog when I find new stuff.

    We find out Ken the old football coach dies of a heart attack.

    And Falchuk admits all the stuff about Kurt, Rachel and Blaine heading to NYC in the S2 finale was planted with a spin off in mind (like everyone suspected).

  • idolfan92

    I love Finchel, so I have no problem with their relationship continuing. In fact, I hope that they actually stay together the WHOLE season for once. No more of this cat-and-mouse game through the whole second half, ending in them coming back together in the final episode.

    I hope they do a spin-off with Rachel, Finn, Kurt, and Blaine. I would definitely watch that! That’s all 4 of my favorite characters from the show.

    I think Chord’s making a mistake leaving, but we’ll see. He must be confident in his “other opportunities.” I’m glad Mercedes is getting a boyfriend finally though! She deserves it.

  • smartalek

    The producers can’t force the actors to do the show if they don’t want to. If they aren’t happy with their parts, they will ask to leave. That 7 year contract thing is bogus, IMO. It makes no sense to be stuck with Glee when they can move on, assuming their roles will be much smaller once they graduate. I think the producers are really working from the fly of their pants and have no idea where they are going with the show. I hope we get a happy ending this season b/c I may just make S3 my last. Also, why should Darren Criss be allowed to do Broadway but Lea and Matt will be stuck with Glee. I think Matt even said in an interview that he will leave in a season or two. Also the producers are rude. As far as we know Chord was told his option wasn’t picked up and felt like he wasn’t being invited back at all. That’s the way the media picked up the story anyways and it was a while before anyone from Glee officially commented. Then Ryan Murphy just announces that 3 stars are getting pink slip, oh wait, now they aren’t. I mean WTF seriously?!??!

  • Incipit

    Geebus. The behind the scenes stuff is just barely more interesting than the show ever was – is that how they plan to keep viewers interested?

    Also. Why does anyone believe any announcements that Ryan Murphy makes, until facts prove them out? He’s been taking Nigel lessons.

    IMO. Of Course.

  • larc

    mandabutter says:
    Now that it has been reported that Chord was offered a deal and he declined, I’m not so sad.

    I’m guessing Chord realized he was being jerked around and decided to bail. He would have been gone earlier if fans hadn’t raised such a stink and forced TPTB at Glee to reconsider.

  • jeffreythegleek

    You know who would be great as Rachel’s dads? Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. They did The Producers together on Broadway. I think Chord Overstreet will also have a change of heart and ask to come back.

  • Allison

    Also the producers blew it with Chord’s character and are stupid.

    I agree. I thought he was really good.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Reminder:

    If you have a question about the blog, send me an email.

  • St.Lucia

    This whole article made me wonder if there is a communication breakdown between the exec producer,the co-creators and Ryan Murphy.

    Or if they really have no clue what the hell they are doing and are making it up as they go along.

    Me thinks the latter.