One of the greatest injustices in television was the final cancellation of Futurama, all the while The Simpsons was allowed to continue dying a slow and undignified death; we’re approaching 33 seasons now and it ain’t getting any better. The trailblazing sci-fi series effectively paved the way for other hit adult animation series like Rick & Morty, Solar Opposite, and Netflix’s Disenchantment. Now, after close to a decade off the airways, Hulu has announced it has officially greenlit a Futurama reboot/revival.
The 20-episode revival will mark the return of co-creators David X. Cohen and Matt Groening; the former having cut his comedic teeth on The Simpsons, while the latter obviously having created The Simpsons. Additionally, the original voice cast you know and love is also slated to reprise their roles. Those confirmed to return include:
- Billy West as Phillip J. Fry/Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth/John A. Doctor Zoidberg/Captain Zapp Brannigan
- Katey Sagal as Turanga Leela
- Tress MacNeille as Mom
- Maurice LaMarche as Lrrr
- Lauren Tom as Amy Wong
- Phil LaMarr as Hermes Conrad
- David Herman as Scruffy the Janitor
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The only key holdout at this stage is John DiMaggio, who you’ll know best as the crass, wise-cracking, and beer-chugging robot, Bender Bending Rodriguez. According to The Hollywood Reporter, DiMaggio is still in the final stages of confirming his deal, which many expect will be squared away in due course. Deadline, on the other hand, has revealed while all parties involved are eager to have something signed in a contract, the role of Bender is being recast in the interim. Just in case. DiMaggio himself, however, has been retweeting multiple posts on Hulu’s Futurama reboot. Which we can only assume means the negotiation process is going well.
“I’m thrilled to have another chance to think about the future… or really anything other than the present,” says David X. Cohen.
“It’s a true honour to announce the triumphant return of Futurama one more time before we get cancelled abruptly again,” adds Matt Groening.
Premiering back in 1999, Futurama would encounter broadcast politics with Fox during its initial run, eventually scrapped from the fall lineup altogether circa 2003. The syndication rights to its first four seasons would soon be acquired by Adult Swim, while the brain trust behind the punchlines produced four straight-to-DVD films instead of pursuing the usual episodic format. It wasn’t until years later in 2009 when Comedy Central would decide it was worth giving the old college try. David X. Cohen and Matt Groening would crank out another three seasons before it was cancelled once again in 2013.
Despite its tumultuous run, the show about an immature pizza delivery boy who accidentally freezes himself in 1999 and wakes up a thousand years later to work at the Planet Express managed to earn six Emmys during its original run – including two for Outstanding Animated Program – seven Annie Awards, as well as a pair of WGA prizes. Because it wasn’t just about laughs, there was actually a decent measure of emotional weight (i.e. ‘Jurassic Bark’, ‘The Luck of the Fryish’, ‘Time Keeps On Slippin”, etc.).
Granted, the history of how Futurama has fared between networks doesn’t paint the most optimistic picture. But given how we’re currently in the era of streaming – which gives beloved properties like Futurama a fighting chance against the traditional primetime release models – the upcoming reboot could very well mean the series has more staying power this time around.
“When presented with the opportunity to bring fans and viewers new episodes of Futurama, we couldn’t wait to dive in,” says Craig Erwich, President of Hulu Originals & ABC Entertainment.
“This iconic series helped blaze the trail for the success of adult animation since its initial launch and we look forward to Matt and David continuing to pave the way and further establishing Hulu as the premiere destination for fans of the genre.”
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“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,” says Marci Proietto, Head of Animation at 20th Television Animation.
“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.”
The first table read is scheduled for sometime next week. You can expect the Futurama reboot/revival to it Hulu sometime in 2023 (specific release date TBA). In the meantime, you can relive the highly-satirical glory via Disney+.
