Many fan favorite from That '70s Show will be back to reprise their roles in That '90s Show, the upcoming sequel series in the works at Netflix. That happens to include Tommy Chong who played Leo in several seasons of the original series. Chong previously confirmed his involvement in the new show, and in a new interview with Variety, he opened up about the experience of returning.
“The minute Kitty knocked on the door and I opened the door and it was her, it could have been yesterday,” Chong said, suggesting that it felt like no time at all had passed since That '70s Show ended in 2006. "I heard they were going to reboot it, but I never got a call. I was like, ‘What’s going on here?’ But then the call came, and we were shooting right away."
Chong then joked, "I like the paycheck."
That '70s Show aired for eight seasons on Fox from 1998 to 2006. Taking place in Point Place, Wisconsin, the show primarily followed a group of teenage friends coming of age in the 1970s. Chong appeared in seasons 2 through 4 along with seasons 7 and 8.
"They never gave me any instructions, so I don't know if I'm supposed to be talking about it or not," Chong previously said when he revealed his involvement in a chat with YouTuber Dark Mark. "I really don't give a s*** to tell you the truth. That's what I'm known for...I'm back as Leo."
Tommy Chong Is Not the Only Returning Star
The main cast of That '90s Show will feature Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp reprising their roles as Red and Kitty Forman. It has also been revealed that other returning cast members will include Topher Grace as Eric, Laura Prepon as Donna, Mila Kunis as Jackie, Ashton Kutcher as Kelso, and Wilmer Valderrama as Fez. There may be some other surprises that haven't yet been revealed to the fans.
Most of these characters will be featured in a limited capacity, as the main cast will primarily follow a new group of youths living in Point Place during the 1990s. Callie Haverda leads the ensemble as Leia Forman, Red and Kitty's granddaughter who hangs out with her friends at the old Forman place, but now in a different decade. You can read the official logline for the Netflix series below.
"Hello, Wisconsin! It’s 1995 and Leia Forman, daughter of Eric and Donna, is visiting her grandparents for the summer, where she bonds with a new generation of Point Place kids under the watchful eye of Kitty and the stern glare of Red. Sex, drugs and rock ’n roll never dies, it just changes clothes."
As of now, Netflix has not announced an official premiere date for That '90s Show, but the spinoff series has just recently wrapped filming. A first look photo of Red and Kitty's return was previously released, but there hasn't been any images revealed of Chong as Leo.