FUTURAMA Revived by Hulu and the Original Cast Is Returning!
Holy cow! Here’s an awesomely unexpected surprise! Matt Groening and David X. Cohen’s cult animated sci-fi comedy, Futurama, is being revived thanks to Hulu! Fry, Leela, and Bender are set for more 31st century adventures!
Hulu has ordered 20 new episodes of the series, and the original voice cast is set to return. That voice cast includes Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr, and David Herman. There is one member of the cast that’s missing, and that is John DiMaggio, who voices Bender.
Bender is currently being recast ahead of the first table read on Monday. It’s reported that the “decision was made after negotiations with Futurama studio 20th Television Animation came to a standstill, though there is a desire on both sides to have DiMaggio rejoin the cast and reprise his role.”
The report goes on to offer additional details saying, “the offer to DiMaggio was in line with that for fellow leads West (Fry) and Sagal (Leela) who, after a back-and-forth, agreed to a deal while DiMaggio felt the proposal was not competitive based on the success and name recognition of the original series.”
There is a chance that DiMaggio will be back… if both sides are able to come to an agreement. If they don’t, then the project will stick with whoever is recast. Maybe DiMaggio will be missed by the fans, maybe he won’t. I’m just happy and excited that Futurama is being revived!
Cohen said in a statement, “I’m thrilled to have another chance to think about the future… or really anything other than the present.”
Groening added, “It’s a true honor to announce the triumphant return of Futurama one more time before we get canceled abruptly again.”
Craig Erwich, President, Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment said: “When presented with the opportunity to bring fans and viewers new episodes of Futurama, we couldn’t wait to dive in. This iconic series helped blaze the trail for the success of adult animation since its initial launch and we look forward to Matt & David continuing to pave the way and further establishing Hulu as the premiere destination for fans of the genre.”
Marci Proietto, Head of 20th Television Animation, went on to say: “What I love about animation is that it’s possible for a successful show to take a pause and then resume years later, even on a different platform, and pick up right where it left off. Futurama is one of those shows. The excitement from Hulu about returning Matt and David’s genius creation for all-new episodes has been off the charts. I’m thrilled that this incredible team will get to tell more stories, and that our Planet Express crew will have more adventures together. It’s a win for the fans who have loved the show since the beginning, and for the ones who will now discover it for the very first time.”
Futurama focuses on the life of Philip Fry (Billy West), a 25-year-old pizza delivery boy who accidentally freezes himself on December 31, 1999 and wakes up 1,000 years later with a fresh start at life and a “diverse” new group of friends including Leela (Katey Sagal), a tough but lovely one-eyed alien and Bender, a robot who possesses human characteristics and flaws.
Futurama will premiere on Hulu in 2023. Are you happy to hear the show is coming back? What do you think about DiMaggio holding our for more money?
Source: Deadline