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In the beloved sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” Johnny Galecki’s character Leonard Hofstadter is known for his passion for geek culture and superheroes. Interestingly, Galecki himself had a brush with superhero cinema, appearing in a significant 2008 film. However, it wasn’t in “The Dark Knight” or “Iron Man.” Instead, Galecki appeared in Peter Berg’s “Hancock,” a movie featuring Will Smith as John Hancock, an amnesiac superhero grappling with personal issues. Galecki’s role as Jeremy, however, was considerably downsized when his lines were cut before filming commenced, leading to mixed emotions about his participation in the blockbuster.
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In a 2010 interview with The A.V. Club, Galecki recounted auditioning alongside Thomas Lennon for the roles of Jeremy and Mike, respectively. They expected to share several scenes, but the script changes post-casting altered that plan. “I think I’m like fourth-billed in that movie. Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, and me,” Galecki noted. “And yet I’m a glorified extra. I really have no lines whatsoever. Neither Thomas nor I knew that until we got to the set and saw the new draft of the script.”
Galecki took the role primarily to collaborate with director Peter Berg, fulfilling a personal aspiration despite the disappointment of having his lines cut. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “I was disappointed. I sure would have loved to have a bigger role in that movie, but happenstance happens.”
Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, “Hancock” was a major box office success, raking in nearly $630 million worldwide. This impressive performance made it one of the highest-grossing superhero films not affiliated with Marvel or DC, sparking expectations of a sequel. Although a follow-up has been confirmed, progress has been slow, and its release date remains uncertain.
In February 2025, Will Smith shared some exciting news during an appearance on xQc’s Twitch channel, revealing potential plans for “Hancock 2.” He teased fans with a hint, saying, “There’s a really cool, really cool ‘Hancock 2’ idea. We haven’t even talked about it so I’m gonna give you one little piece — Zendaya is being approached for a role in ‘Hancock 2.'”
A potential Hancock sequel could offer redemption for Johnny Galecki
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Despite lukewarm reviews, “Hancock” was a box office hit, gobbling up a hefty serving of almost $630 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing superhero movies not from Marvel or DC. Those scrumptious numbers all but indicated that a sequel was inevitable. However, there’s been slow movement on that front, even if the parties involved confirmed it’s definitely happening. When is another topic altogether.
In February 2025, Will Smith appeared on streamer xQc’s Twitch channel and revealed more about the plans for a sequel. “There’s a really cool, really cool ‘Hancock 2’ idea,” he said. “We haven’t even talked about it so I’m gonna give you one little piece — Zendaya is being approached for a role in ‘Hancock 2.’”
Now, this doesn’t mean everyone will be back, or even invited, for a “Hancock 2.” After all, Johnny Galecki has pretty much disappeared from Hollywood after “The Big Bang Theory” ended. Yet, as a fan of filmmaker Peter Berg, Galecki might want another shot at working with him should Berg helm the “Hancock” sequel. It helps that the actor is a much bigger star than when he appeared in the first film, so he likely wouldn’t receive the same lackluster treatment as before. So, as they say, never say never.
