Big Bang Theory stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco demand massive pay rises as filming of eighth season is derailed

IT’S been one of the world’s favourite comedies for the past seven years, but what has threatened the future of The Big Bang Theory?

MONEY has derailed the filming of the new season of one of the world’s biggest sitcoms.

Entertainment news website Deadline reports that the entire original cast of the Channel Nine ratings winner The Big Bang Theory is yet to sign on for the filming of the eighth season, which is set to go into production within a fortnight.

The cast of <i>The Big Bang Theory</i>.

The stars — including Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco — are believed to be holding out for a massive pay increase, from $US325,000 an episode to $US1 million.

@newscomauHQ @JournoLawJ Wow fab show but such greed! I'm surprised...

— Anne Barklimore (@IntuitFinance) July 17, 2014

“The two sides are still far apart and there has been little dialogue,” Deadline reports.

The Chuck Lorre comedy, which regularly pulls 19 million viewers in the US and 1 million in Australia, was renewed for three more seasons in March, but the faltering pay negotiations have threatened the show’s future.

RELATED: The Big Bang Theory has been extended for another three years at least

Jim Parsons, Johnny Galeck, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar.

However, sources have told The Hollywood Reporter that producers are confident of reaching a deal, despite there being no movement in the negotiations, which began in September.

The cast’s stonewalling has a precedent, with the ensemble of another monster comedy, Modern Family, walking out on negotiations with 20th Century Fox Television recently over pay.

If Big Bang survives as hoped, it will join the likes of Friends, Two and Half Men, JAG and MASH, which all lasted 10 seasons or more.

The cast of Friends were paid $1 million per episode for its last two seasons.

Jim Parsons has won three Emmys for <i>The Big Bang Theory</i>. Picture: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

The eighth season of Big Bang is due to air in the US in September.

The seventh series ended with a cliffhanger, in which Parsons’ character Sheldon was poised to leave town on a train.

The Big Bang Theory airs pretty much all the time on Nine.

Uncertain future … <i>The Big Bang Theory</i>.

Originally published as Big Bang Theory stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco demand massive pay rises as filming of eighth season is derailed