Futurama, writer Matt Groening’s (The Simpsons, Disenchanted) follow up to his critically acclaimed series The Simpsons, is receiving a revival series on Hulu, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The show, which has been off the air for ten years, is returning for a 20-episode run on the streaming service. Groening will return to write the episodes and so will the show’s co-creator, David X. Cohen (Disenchanted, The Simpsons).
Original stars Katey Sagal (8 Simple Rules, Sons of Anarchy) and Billy West (Ren and Stimpy, Space Jam) will return as their original characters from the show, Leela and Fry. Also returning are members of the original ensemble such as Tress MacNeille (Animaniacs, The Simpsons), Maurice LaMarche (Pinky and the Brain, Zootopia), Lauren Tom (Friends, Andi Mack), Phil LaMarr (Pulp Fiction, Samurai Jack) and David Herman (Idiocracy, Office Space).
“I’m thrilled to have another chance to think about the future … or really anything other than the present,” Cohen said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Groening later said, “It’s a true honor to announce the triumphant return of Futurama one more time before we get canceled abruptly again.”
Not returning to the cast is John DiMaggio (Adventure Time, Inside Job) who voiced the fan-favorite character, Bender, on the show. Hulu claims that they could not agree on a deal between the animation studio and DiMaggio, and according to Deadline, the show is actively seeking a new voice for the foul-mouthed robot ahead of the first table read. However, they also added there is a desire from both parties to rejoin the show under the right conditions.
Even with this glimmer of hope, fans still took to Twitter to express their frustration about DiMaggio not returning.
“They need to get the deal done with @TheJohnDiMaggio or we’ve got a problem,” a Twitter user declared according to Deadline, with another exclaiming, “Come on, pay the man! @TheJohnDiMaggio.”
The show originally aired on Fox for five seasons before being cancelled and then picked up again by Comedy Central for another three seasons. This revival will premiere on Hulu sometime in 2023.