James R | On 02, Mar 2022

It’s official: Bender’s back, with John DiMaggio closing a deal to return to voice everyone’s favourite outspoken robot in Disney’s reboot of Futurama.

First airing on FOX from 1999-2003, Futurama focuses on the life of Philip Fry (Billy West), a 25-year-old pizza delivery boy who accidentally freezes himself on December 31, 1999 and wakes up 1,000 years later with a fresh start at life and a new group of friends including Leela (Katey Sagal), a tough but lovely one-eyed alien and Bender, a robot who possesses human characteristics and flaws.

Created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening and David X Cohen, the series was brought back in 2007 with four direct-to-DVD movies that subsequently aired as 30-minute episodes on Comedy Central. Based on their success, Comedy Central ordered new seasons of the series which made a return to TV in June 2010 – making it only the second series in the history of the medium to go back into production based on the strength of its DVD sales and repeat airings on cable.

Now, after seven seasons spanning two decades, and 140 original episodes (ending on 4th September 2013), Futurama is coming back for 20 new episodes on Disney.

The revival was announced last month, with all the key cast set to return, including Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr and David Herman. But one name was notably absent from the list: John DiMaggio.

After outcry from fans, though, Disney has now confirmed that whatever the complication was there, DiMaggio will also be returning, completing the reunion of the entire cast.

DiMaggio said: “I’M BACK, BABY! So damn grateful for the love and support of fans and colleagues alike during this whole time (especially my wife, Kate), and I cannot wait to get back to work with my Futurama family. #Bendergate is officially over, so put it on the back of a shelf behind Xmas decorations, or maybe in that kitchen drawer with all of the other crap you put in there like old unusable crazy glue, or maybe even put it in a jar you save farts in. Whatever floats your boat, I don’t care, you get the picture. I’M BACK, BABY! BITE MY SHINY METAL ASS!”

Groening added: “From the moment John DiMaggio auditioned last century, we knew we had our Bender. So congrats to everyone at Futurama. We’re all back, baby!”

Cohen commented: “John DiMaggio may be a great robot, but he’s also a great human being. Not many people or machines can say that. For the fourth time, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thrill to be back with our entire original cast and the phenomenal animators of Rough Draft Studios!”

Production is now underway on the new series, which is set for a 2023 premiere.
 

Futurama reboot heads to Disney+

10th February 2022

A Futurama reboot is in the works at Disney, with the animated series set to return to our screens in 2023.

First airing on FOX from 1999-2003, Futurama focuses on the life of Philip Fry (Billy West), a 25-year-old pizza delivery boy who accidentally freezes himself on December 31, 1999 and wakes up 1,000 years later with a fresh start at life and a new group of friends including Leela (Katey Sagal), a tough but lovely one-eyed alien and Bender, a robot who possesses human characteristics and flaws.

Created by Matt Groening and developed by Groening and David X Cohen, the series was brought back in 2007 with four direct-to-DVD movies that subsequently aired as 30-minute episodes on Comedy Central. Based on their success, Comedy Central ordered new seasons of the series which made a return to TV in June 2010 – making it only the second series in the history of the medium to go back into production based on the strength of its DVD sales and repeat airings on cable.

Now, after seven seasons spanning two decades, and 140 original episodes (ending on 4th September 2013), Futurama is coming back.

20th Television Animation and Disney+ have given the order for 20 new episodes, with the returning voice cast includes stars Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr and David Herman – but, notably, not John DiMaggio as Bender.

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

“It’s a true honour to announce the triumphant return of Futurama one more time before we get canceled abruptly again,” commented Matt Groening.

“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. Futurama is one of those shows. The excitement 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,” commented Marci Proietto, Head of 20th Television Animation.

The series is produced by 20th Television Animation a part of Disney Television Studios, with Rough Draft Studios, Inc contributing the animation. It will air on Hulu in the USA and on Disney+ in the UK, as part of its adult-friendly Star section.

The series will go into production in February, with an expected premiere in 2023.

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