Joel McHale, Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, Gillian Jacobs, Jim Rash and Ken Jeong were the first stars to be announced, via Variety.
In August 2022 Community creator Dan Harmon confirmed to Newsweek that, despite his caution to commit to confirming it in the past, the outline of a Community movie has now been developed and pitched, and it was a matter of 'when' not 'if'.
The phrase "Six Seasons and a Movie!" is said/referenced 7 times throughout the show: twice by Abed, once by Troy, once on a chalkboard, and twice as title cards on episode ends. Jeff only mentions it during the final episode which is canon with his character as he isn't certain on the next chapter of his life.
On September 20, 2022, Dan Harmon the creator of Community shared "#ANDAMOVIE" via social media alongside regular cast members Joel McHale, Donald Glover, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Daniel Pudi, Gillian Jacobs, Jim Rash & Ken Jeong.
The movie was officially announced on September 30 by Joel McHale and Community's social media. A tease for the announcement was made on a day prior, on September 29 with the 'six seasons and a movie' clip.