Stuart Fails to Save the Universe gets 'genius' teaser and confirmed release date — but it's the synopsis that near guarantees a full Big Bang Theory reunion

Stuart, Denise, Bert and Bert stand shocked.

• The Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe drops first teaser trailer, confirming release date on HBO Max as July 23
• Stars Kevin Sussman (Stuart), Lauren Lapkus (Denise), Brian Posehn (Bert) and John Ross Bowie (Barry)
• Synopsis hints that "alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory" will appear

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe isn't The Big Bang Theory spinoff that anybody expected, but now that HBO Max has revealed its first teaser trailer, it's safe to say that fans are impressed.

Debuting on July 23, Kevin Sussman reprises his role as Stuart, the local comic book store owner that Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and the gang loved to visit.

This time around, we see him with girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), and friends Bert ( Brian Posehn) and Barry (John Ross Bowie).

As the title suggests, Stuart is thrown head-first into a mission to save the universe, which includes alternative timelines that look a little like something from The Walking Dead.

But alongside threading through Sheldon's existing wormhole lore from TBBT, there's something in the Stuart Fails to Save the Universe synopsis that hints we could be seeing more familiar faces than just those I've already listed.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe synopsis hints 'alternate universe' Big Bang Theory characters are coming

Here's the full HBO Max synopsis: "Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon. Stuart is aided in this quest by his girlfriend Denise, geologist friend Bert, and quantum physicist/all-around pain in the ass Barry Kripke.

"Along the way, they meet alternate-universe versions of characters we’ve come to know and love from The Big Bang Theory. As the title implies, things don’t go well."

It's this last line that's a clever hook. The new TV show hints that any number of classic TBBT characters could have a cameo appearance throughout the series, including Sheldon and Leonard. But HBO Max is shrewdly being non-committal to just who might turn up by keeping its wording intentionally vague.

"Are you telling me Sheldon's wormhole prank on Howard (Simon Helberg) and Raj (Kunal Nayyar) came true?!!!!" one YouTube comment reads.

A second weighs in "I think it’s a mix from the episode with the fake wormhole and the one when Leonard opens meteorite and Stuart goes crazy about it. Either way it’s very cool!"

"That would be a hilarious plot twist. I really hope the writers had that in mind," a third agrees, with another adding "This has got to be the most genius way to do a spinoff ever!"

The proof will be in the alternate universe pudding come July 23, but I'd put good money on Sheldon and Leonard cameos being high priority.