Bazinga! Big Bang Theory spin-off starring Big Little Liars child actor Iain Armitage as young Sheldon Cooper officially picked up by CBS 

By Dailymail.com Reporter and Cassie Carpenter For Dailymail.com

Published: 18:07 EDT, 13 March 2017 | Updated: 18:23 EDT, 13 March 2017

A Big Bang Theory prequel has officially been picked up by CBS.

The network announced Monday that viewers will be able to see what makes Sheldon the way he is in a brand new spin off series.

The show will be titled Young Sheldon and will follow a 9-year-old version of the genius character in east Texas.

Congrats! Rising star and theatre critic Iain Armitage (L) is the frontrunner to play the younger version of Jim Parsons' (R) Big Bang Theory character in the CBS prequel Sheldon
Congrats! Rising star and theatre critic Iain Armitage (L) is the frontrunner to play the younger version of Jim Parsons' (R) Big Bang Theory character in the CBS prequel Sheldon

Congrats! Rising star and theatre critic Iain Armitage (L) is the frontrunner to play the younger version of Jim Parsons' (R) Big Bang Theory character in the CBS prequel Sheldon

The half-hour, created by Big Bang Theory showrunner Chuck Lorre, will run as a single camera comedy series, similar to its predecessor.

Rising star Iain Armitage is the frontrunner to play the younger version of Jim Parsons' Big Bang Theory character in the CBS prequel.

The precocious eight-year-old will portray Dr. Sheldon Cooper when he was a Texan child prodigy who began college at 11 and earned a PhD at 16, according to THR.

The son of Tony-nominated actor Euan Morton and theater producer Lee Armitage currently plays Shailene Woodley's outcast son Ziggy on HBO's Big Little Lies. 

IQ of 187: According to THR, the precocious eight-year-old will portray Dr. Sheldon Cooper when he was a Texan child prodigy who began college at 11 and earned a PhD at 16

IQ of 187: According to THR, the precocious eight-year-old will portray Dr. Sheldon Cooper when he was a Texan child prodigy who began college at 11 and earned a PhD at 16

It'll be a stretch to have Iain play a socially-awkward, germaphobic future physicist after rubbing elbows with Broadway stars like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ian McKellan, and Neil Patrick Harris.

Accomplished Armitage also boasts 36K social media followers, holds a purple belt in Tae Kwan Do, and dresses up like David Bowie and the Phantom of the Opera.

Laurie Metcalf, who played Sheldon's devout Christian mother Mary, will pass down her role to her real-life daughter Zoe Perry for the new spin-off.

Charisma: It'll be a stretch to have Iain play a socially-awkward, germaphobic future physicist after rubbing elbows with Broadway stars like Lin-Manuel Miranda (R) and Neil Patrick Harris

Charisma: It'll be a stretch to have Iain play a socially-awkward, germaphobic future physicist after rubbing elbows with Broadway stars like Lin-Manuel Miranda (R) and Neil Patrick Harris

Well rounded: Accomplished Armitage also boasts 36K social media followers, holds a purple belt in Tae Kwan Do, and dresses up like David Bowie and the Phantom of the Opera

Well rounded: Accomplished Armitage also boasts 36K social media followers, holds a purple belt in Tae Kwan Do, and dresses up like David Bowie and the Phantom of the Opera

The 32-year-old actress - whose father is Scandal's Jeff Perry - previously appeared on two episodes of the three-time Emmy winner's ABC sitcom Roseanne. 

Jon Favreau will direct the pilot episode, which will air this fall. 

The casting news came in the midst of contract salary negotiations for BBT ensemble's two-year, 48-episode renewal. 

It's all who you know: Laurie Metcalf, who played Sheldon's devout Christian mother Mary, will pass down her role to her daughter Zoe Perry for the new single-camera spin-off

It's all who you know: Laurie Metcalf, who played Sheldon's devout Christian mother Mary, will pass down her role to her daughter Zoe Perry for the new single-camera spin-off

Thanks Mom! The 32-year-old actress (L) - whose father is Scandal's Jeff Perry - previously appeared on two episodes of the three-time Emmy winner's ABC sitcom Roseanne

Thanks Mom! The 32-year-old actress (L) - whose father is Scandal's Jeff Perry - previously appeared on two episodes of the three-time Emmy winner's ABC sitcom Roseanne

According to Variety - Jim, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Kunal Nayyar, and Simon Helberg have agreed to take a $100K paycut to boost Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch's salaries from $200K to $450K each.

The original five castmembers famously earn an eye-popping $1M per episode since the show has grossed over $1B in syndication for Warner Bros.

The 10th season of The Big Bang Theory resumes March 9 on CBS.

Well paid ensemble: The 10th season of The Big Bang Theory resumes March 9 on CBS

Well paid ensemble: The 10th season of The Big Bang Theory resumes March 9 on CBS

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