Futurama is set to return for 20 new episodes, but will it be missing a major cast member?

Virgin Radio

10 Feb 2022, 14:07

If you’re a fan of the animated sci-fi comedy series, you'll be excited to learn that it's being revived. The bad news, however, is that it might be missing one of its most iconic voices.

As reported by Variety, streaming service Hulu has ordered 20 brand-new episodes of Futurama. Series creator Matt Groening is back on board, along with developer/executive producer David X. Cohen.

The show, which originally ran from 1999 until 2003 and then returned from 2008 to 2013, will feature the voices of original cast members Billy Wet, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr and David Herman. 

However, at the moment, John DiMaggio, who voices the iconic robot Bender, has not yet been attached to the new episodes. According to Variety’s sources, the show’s producers "are hopeful DiMaggio will return," but "should that not happen, Bender will be recast."

It’s not clear exactly why the voice of Bender has not yet signed on for the new episodes, but John DiMaggio has been busy retweeting people’s pleas for him to be included. One person wrote: “this is not worth it if @TheJohnDiMaggio won’t be involved.” 

Another added: “Here’s the deal ⁦@hulu⁩, us Futurama fans have spoken. The revival MUST HAVE ⁦@TheJohnDiMaggio. He is the one and only Bender. Thanks for listening.”

Aside from the retweets, the only comment from DiMaggio himself was a tweet that he wrote which read: “Thanks for the concern and the props, everyone. I really appreciate it. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you posted, but until then… CHEESE IT! #bendergate”

Whilst we wait to see if Bender will return exactly as we remember him, there is still plenty of excitement about the new episodes. Matt Groening said: “It’s a true honour to announce the triumphant return of ‘Futurama’ one more time before we get cancelled abruptly again.”

Meanwhile, developer/executive producer David X. Cohen said: “I’m thrilled to have another chance to think about the future… or really anything other than the present.” 

In case you’ve never seen it, Futurama is about Philip Fry (West), a 25-year-old pizza delivery boy who, having accidentally frozen himself on December 31, 1999, wakes up 1,000 years later. In learning to live in the future, he makes a new group of friends, including one-eyed Leela and, of course, Bender, an ill-behaved robot who likes a drink and a cigar. 

We don’t have to look too far into the future to see the 20 new episodes, as they are slated for next year.