The Best That ’70s Show Character Returning For Spin-Off?
That '70s Show is getting a reboot called That '90s Show with some favorite characters returning, however, a fan favorite might also be returning to Point Place.
Longtime fans of That ‘70s Show may be seeing a familiar face back in Point Place, Wisconsin for the next installment of the new franchise, but will we ever learn his real name? Wilmer Valderrama’s character, Fez, could be popping up to guest star with the new cast in Netflix’s upcoming production. Known by his nickname which stands for “Foreign Exchange Student,” Fez took the town of Point Place by storm over the show’s eight-year run from 1998 to 2006. Alongside his high school pals, Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon), Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis), Steven Hyde (Danny Masterson), and Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher), and Eric Forman (Topher Grace), Fez caused a scene everywhere he went with his overly flirtatious personality.
But will Wilmer Valderrama return to the series to reprise his old role and answer the question as to where Fez’s home country is once and for all? That’s all still up in the air. The actor has an absolutely stacked year working on NCIS, where he’s held a regular position since 2016 and is gearing up to take on the mysterious sword-wielding titular character in ABC’s Zorro. While other original cast members including Prepon, Grace, Kunis, and Kutcher are in talks to appear in That ‘90s Show, Valderrama is unsure. Although he’s cheering on the newbies and alums alike, when pressed about his reprisal, the actor said that he was “a little busy now,” but was sending them positive vibes and “rooting for them.”
That ‘90s Show will take place in 1995 and tell the story of Leia Forman (Callie Haverda), the daughter of Eric (Grace) and Donna (Prepon). Visiting her grandparents in Point Place, Wisconsin over summer break, Leia will forge friendships with some of the neighborhood kids as her grandmother Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) and grandfather Red (Kurtwood Smith) make sure nothing too mischievous goes down. And if you think we’re missing Leia’s name referring to her dad’s favorite film franchise Star Wars, you’re dead wrong! We love to already see the throwbacks making their way into the follow-up series. Joining Haverda to raise a new ruckus in Point Place will be Ashley Aufderhaide (Emergence), Mace Coronel (Colin in Black & White), Maxwell Acee Donovan (Gabby Duran & The Unsittables), Reyn Doi (Side Hustle), and Sam Morelos. While we don’t know who the other cast members will be playing, we’re hoping that one of them will pay homage to Wilmer Valderrama’s iconic character in the original series.
Following his time on the syndicated show, Wilmer Valderrama would land a gig hosting MTV’s Yo Momma from 2006 to 2007 before taking his vocal talents to the world of animation in the children’s show, Handy Manny. Valderrama hit another stride in his career when he starred in the Netflix original, From Dusk till Dawn: The Series just before landing his current six-year running role on NCIS. Still voicing some of the world’s favorite animated characters, Valderrama can be heard as the voice of Gaxton in Disney and Pixar’s Onward as well as Agustín Madrigal in the smash hit, Encanto. While only time will tell Fez’s fate on That ‘90s Show, we’re hoping that Valderrama can make it back for at least one episode to wrap up loose ends and flirt with Jackie one last time.
