The enduringly popular animation is coming back for another encore.
After months of negotiations, the US streamer Hulu have ordered a new season of twenty Futurama episodes.
The animated sci-fi comedy, from The Simpson‘s Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, follows the story of Fry – a slacker who accidentally becomes cryogenically frozen and is woken up in the 31st Century.
Production on the new run is set to begin this month and the announcement came via twitter:
Futurama returns! New episodes coming to Hulu. pic.twitter.com/xQFAW79VdH
— Hulu (@hulu) February 9, 2022
The news came with confirmation that original cast members, including Billy West (Fry), Katey Sagal (Leela), Lauren Tom (Amy) and Phil LaMarr (Hermes) will all return. Additionally, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche and David Herman, who all voice multiple roles in the show, are confirmed too.
“Bite my shiny metal…”
However, there is currently a sting in the tale of this otherwise pleasing news; while the majority of the cast are on board, actor John DiMaggio, who plays the iconic Bender the robot, has yet to sign on.
There is hope however, as it’s reported that DiMaggio is still finalising a deal. If arrangements can’t be made, the role will be recast. With an fan outpouring of concern social media, in support of DiMaggio, the actor has responded himself:
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
— John DiMaggio (@TheJohnDiMaggio) February 10, 2022
Futurama’s complicated history
The show has enjoyed a bumpy old ride; it began in on Fox in 1999 and ran for four years before cancellation.
Comedy Central then brought it back for a series direct-to-DVD movies which ultimately aired on their network as a fifth season, cropped into sixteen 30-minute episodes.
Later, in 2010, Comedy Central revived Futurama again for two more seasons, only to cancel it again in 2013.
Hopefully Futurama will find a more stable place on Hulu. It’s already the streaming home of sister show The Simpsons and has begin to build up a number of cult animated titles from Marvel and in the Star Wars universe.
In its time, the show has been nominated for 14 Emmys, winning six.
Matt Groening
Ever the optimist, creator Matt Groening heralded news of the show’s return thus:
“It’s a true honour to announce the triumphant return of Futurama one more time before we get cancelled abruptly again.”
As Hulu is majority Disney owned, we imagine the new series will land internationally on Disney+ – perhaps as soon as 2023.