Frank Micelotta/FOX On the final day of Comic-Con in Hall H, the cast and creators of Glee took the stage to thunderous applause. But it was what happened after the applause died down that made the biggest noise.
Right off the bat, the current situation involving Cory Monteith, Lea Michele, and Chris Colfer graduating and leaving the show for good came up, and executive producer Brad Falchuck finally set the record straight. Plus, what's the real deal with Chord Overstreet not returning for season three?
Although it was reported by every outlet around that Ryan Murphy announced Michele, Monteith and Colfer would be graduating at the end of next season and not returning to the show in any capacity, Falchuck claims that's not the case at all.
"They're seniors. They're graduating. But [just] because they're graduating doesn't mean they're leaving the show," he said to the anxious crowd. "If you have Lea Michele under contract, you don't say, 'We're gonna let you go.' It was never our plan or our intention to let them go. They are not done with the show after this season."
There you go, Glee fans. Looks like we won't be seeing the last of Rachel, Finn and Kurt after season three.
Falchuck also spoke about the Overstreet situation, claiming they did ask him back, but he declined. "We did invite him back for a portion of the season, to see if being a regular was a possibility," he explained. "But he declined the offer, which we were really disappointed by."
It's an unfortunate circumstance, because according to the show runners, they had a lot planned for him in season three. "We wanted him back because we like Chord personally and had some good stories planned for him and with Mercedes (Amber Riley). He decided he would have opportunities elsewhere that he would like to pursue, and we can't force him to work, so we wished him well."
In case you missed the action on Twitter yesterday, here are all the highlights from Glee's panel at Comic-Con, with no need to wait in line:
• Are Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) and Artie (Kevin McHale) done for good? "Nothing is every done. But Tina and Mike are going to be fine this year." And we will be meeting Mike's parents this season. Harry Shum Jr. told us he'd love to Ken Jeong (Community) to play a "crazy dad."
• On the status of Kurt and Blaine (Darren Criss): "I know nothing. But they're in the honeymoon phase right now. I'm a big fan of Klaine, so I hope they last forever," Criss says. Falchuck added: "They're not breaking up. They're solid. I mean, they have problems. You have two stars dating each other, there's going to be competition. But they're solid."
• We may not know who won this season of The Glee Project, but they do. And apparently the winner is "fantastic" and "great to write for."
• Is Darren replacing Daniel Radcliffe in How to Succeed in Business on Broadway? Maybe. "I'm certainly not opposed to the idea. I can't confirm anything unfortunately," he says.
• Remember the fact that Rachel has two dads? So do the writers. In fact, in the second episode of season one, they did write a scene with Rachel's two dads, but they had to cut it. Executive producer Ian Brennan promises to "reveal more and more" about Mr. and Mr. Berry.
• You no longer have to wonder about Santana (Naya Rivera) and Brittany's (Heather Morris) sexual preference ever again. Santana is definitely a lesbian, and Brittany is "pretty much" into anything.
• Sue's (Jane Lynch) main storyline in the first half of the season is running for Congress. "She's taking destroying [the glee club] and Will on a national level. She doesn't just want to end New Directions. She wants to end all Glee clubs," says Falchuck.
• We got lots of spoilers for next season, but Falchuck remained coy on a couple plot points, including Blaine joining New Directions. "You have to tune in," he said with a smile. And about those rumors that Rachel and Kurt will get a spinoff, he said it could happen, but only after the crew has a chance to breathe. "[Running both shows] would be a lot [right now]."
• One thing is for sure, according to executive producer Dante di Loreto: next season will be a must-watch. "The stories that are coming out are going to knock your socks off. It's going to be the most extraordinary season."