Is Futurama Getting Renewed?

[xtop]

Originally Posted by Darkhawk9587

The final film made it seem like it could go either way. If it isn't continued, then I'm pretty sad because I really enjoy Futurama a lot.

2 new seasons have already been confirmed

[KubrickFan]

Most of the criticisms of the movies were that the plot and the jokes were stretched out. All of that should be avoided with regular episodes.

[Rblu-Dblu]

Originally Posted by xtop

2 new seasons have already been confirmed

where did you get this information? i love futurama!

[SDon1969]

I remember reading that the four movies would be broken up into the first re-released epsiodes, 3 episodes per movie, so 12 episodes in all (EDIT: or not - see post below!). I thought I read that here on bluray.com's forums somewhere. Anyway, when watching the movies, you can see that this was perhaps the plan, as there are perfect moments in there meant for cuts/fades to commercials...

http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=13817
http://www.gotfuturama.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futurama
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1...andquot_movies ("After this, Comedy Central won a bid to air the films as new "Futurama" episodes.")

[steve_dave]

The way Comedy Central airs the first three movies, they air them in four parts. Its one continous run but each quarter is given its own opening credits sequence but oddly no ending credits untill the final part.

Comedy Central did get the broadcast rights to Futurama for a new season with all new epsiodes but Fox still retains the right to broadcast these episodes if they wish.

[ACD]

Here's a link to the official press release from June 10th:


http://www.comedycentral.com/press/press_releases/2009/061009_futurama_returns.jhtml

[AgentBLU]

Yea it definitely already got renewed:

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/06/...a-returns.html

[ThePhantomOak]

Fox, once again, shown to be the sh*ttyest network on TV.

[dcowboy7]

'Futurama' without original voices?
Talks between Fox TV, cast members break down
By Michael Schneider, Variety, July 17, 2009

When "Futurama" returns to TV next year, it might be without the show's original voice cast.

Talks have broken down between 20th Century Fox TV and stars Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarche and Tress MacNeille over how much they should be paid to take part in the show.

The studio announced last month that it would produce 26 new episodes of "Futurama," and that Comedy Central was on board to begin airing the new episodes in mid-2010. As part of the announcement, the show's producers said stars including West, Sagal and DiMaggio had all signed on to return.

Turns out that wasn't true.

The stars had all expressed interest in returning. But with the budget for "Futurama" dramatically slashed, the salary offers came in well below what the thesps were asking.

As a result, 20th has put out a casting call to find replacement voice actors for the show.

It's not the first time 20th has gone that route during a tough negotiation on one of its toons. The studio previously made a similar move on "The Simpsons" when it couldn't come to a deal with its stars. Casting feelers were sent out for replacements, but a deal was eventually made with the original case.

The situation is unusual this time around in that 20th and Comedy Central have been kicking around ways to make "Futurama," originally produced for a broadcast network (Fox), make financial sense for a cable run. Yet there's also still a possibility -- and a window built in -- for "Futurama" to run on a broadcast network first.

It's believed that the "Futurama" cast members were asking for around $75,000 per episode; it was not clear what 20th was offering. Calls to the voice stars' reps were not immediately returned.

Created by Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, "Futurama" originally aired on Fox from 1999 to 2003. The success of the show's repeats on DVD and cable, as well as a series of first-run DVD releases, led to the decision to revive "Futurama."

Other costs slashed in the process led to a smaller writing staff and a shorter delivery schedule.

"We love the 'Futurama' voice performers and absolutely wanted to use them, but unfortunately, we could not meet their salary demands," 20th Century Fox TV said in a statement. "While replacing these talented actors will be difficult, the show must go on. We are confident that we will find terrific new performers to give voice to Matt and David's brilliantly subversive characters."

http://www.variety.com/index.asp?lay...&categoryid=14

[steve_dave]

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

'Futurama' without original voices?
Talks between Fox TV, cast members break down
By Michael Schneider, Variety, July 17, 2009

When "Futurama" returns to TV next year, it might be without the show's original voice cast.

Talks have broken down between 20th Century Fox TV and stars Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarche and Tress MacNeille over how much they should be paid to take part in the show.

The studio announced last month that it would produce 26 new episodes of "Futurama," and that Comedy Central was on board to begin airing the new episodes in mid-2010. As part of the announcement, the show's producers said stars including West, Sagal and DiMaggio had all signed on to return.

Turns out that wasn't true.

The stars had all expressed interest in returning. But with the budget for "Futurama" dramatically slashed, the salary offers came in well below what the thesps were asking.

As a result, 20th has put out a casting call to find replacement voice actors for the show.

...

It's believed that the "Futurama" cast members were asking for around $75,000 per episode; it was not clear what 20th was offering. Calls to the voice stars' reps were not immediately returned.

...

"We love the 'Futurama' voice performers and absolutely wanted to use them, but unfortunately, we could not meet their salary demands," 20th Century Fox TV said in a statement. "While replacing these talented actors will be difficult, the show must go on. We are confident that we will find terrific new performers to give voice to Matt and David's brilliantly subversive characters."

http://www.variety.com/index.asp?lay...&categoryid=14

Well, I guess its going to get cancelled far more earlier this time. The voices are so distinctive just like the Muppets, Looney Tunes, and the Walt Disney cast. In fact, for both Looney Tunes and the Walt Disney cast...the new voice actors worked with the previous actors at one time to ensure the voices were as spot on as possible.

Then again, Fox always does this just to pressure the talent into taking lower pay. At least when NBC or ABC threatens to do replacements, they have the class to not broadcast it in every media outlet.

[Gaius Marius]

This worries me

The voice acting in Futurama was excellent. Plus, it would be weird watching the show without the original cast.

[charlie swords]

as much as i love Futurama and would love to see it come back, i don't know if they should even bother without the main three original actors...

[xtop]

well they may as well not bother now

[dvd_mazter]

Seriously, if they re-cast the voice talent, I won't be watching.

Everyone of them turned their characters from drawing to characters. I couldn't even imagine Bender not being voiced by John Dimaggio.

Pay them what they want Fox or else, I guarantee that no one will watch the "new" Futurama.

[Suntory_Times]

Originally Posted by dvd_mazter

Seriously, if they re-cast the voice talent, I won't be watching.

Everyone of them turned their characters from drawing to characters. I couldn't even imagine Bender not being voiced by John Dimaggio.

Pay them what they want Fox or else, I guarantee that no one will watch the "new" Futurama.

Agreed. If the voice actors don't return, I shant either.

[iori]

Originally Posted by Suntory_Times

Agreed. If the voice actors don't return, I shant either.

+1

It wont be the same

[quexos]

Originally Posted by jtwise

So back before the Futurama DVDs, it was mentioned that if the sales were good, they might bring the series back to FOX. I have just read that FOX wants to add more comedies in the fall. Anyone think Futurama is coming back?

If it comes back it won't be this fall. It takes time to make the episodes you know, so if they take a decision now, it could be back by, say spring or fall 2010
which I very much hope so.

[charlie swords]

a list of affected characters:

Billy West - Fry, Zoidberg, Professor Farnsworth, President Nixon, Zapp Brannigan, Leo Wong, Scruffy

Katey Sagal - Leela

John Dimaggio - Bender, Elzar, Barbados Slim, Robot Santa

now Fox, tell me just how are you going to make this work.

[dcowboy7]

Originally Posted by quexos

If it comes back it won't be this fall. It takes time to make the episodes you know, so if they take a decision now, it could be back by, say spring or fall 2010
which I very much hope so.

per the article:

Comedy Central was on board to begin airing the new episodes in mid-2010.

Also, this $$ thing could just be a publicity stunt.
Here is a blurp about comic-con:

Sat Jul 25 1:00-1:45 Futurama: Life or Death?!— Be a part of sci-fi history! Join executive producers Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, and stars Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, and Maurice LaMarche for high-stakes thrills as a top-ranking FOX executive decides live, on stage, whether Futurama will make yet another triumphant return or whether it is gone forever! The very fate of Futurama hangs in the balance! Paramedics will be standing by in case the intense excitement causes any panelists to collapse. Raucous celebration or abject despair to follow the news. Ballroom 20si

[xtop]

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

per the article:

Comedy Central was on board to begin airing the new episodes in mid-2010.

Also, this $$ thing could just be a publicity stunt.
Here is a blurp about comic-con:

Sat Jul 25 1:00-1:45 Futurama: Life or Death?!— Be a part of sci-fi history! Join executive producers Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, and stars Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, and Maurice LaMarche for high-stakes thrills as a top-ranking FOX executive decides live, on stage, whether Futurama will make yet another triumphant return or whether it is gone forever! The very fate of Futurama hangs in the balance! Paramedics will be standing by in case the intense excitement causes any panelists to collapse. Raucous celebration or abject despair to follow the news. Ballroom 20si