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Futurama: John DiMaggio Appreciates Support & Promises Updates

Published Thu, 10 Feb 2022 09:16:11 -0600

This week saw Futurama fans being the recipient of some excellent news… kinda. On Wednesday, Hulu announced that it had given a green light to David X. Cohen and Matt Groening for 20 new episodes of still-beloved animated series Futurama. Even better, the return of the adult animated sci-fi comedy series would see Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr, and David Herman coming back aboard. Now, this is where we get to the "kinda" part because you may have noticed that there's one major name missing- John DiMaggio aka Bender. At the time that the news was announced, the actor was not attached to the project and it was reported that the role would be recast if DiMaggio didn't return. Well, that part is not sitting well with Futurama fans at all, taking to social media to make sure Hulu knows that there is no show without DiMaggio voicing Bender. And those folks are getting support from none other than DiMaggio himself, retweeting a number of posts expressing that pro-DiMaggio sentiment. The actor also took to Twitter to offer an update late Wednesday: "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!"

Here's a look at the latest status update from DiMaggio, promising to keep the Futurama faithful posted:

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

"I'm thrilled to have another chance to think about the future… or really anything other than the present," said Cohen. Groening added, "It's a true honor to announce the triumphant return of 'Futurama' one more time before we get canceled abruptly again." Produced by 20th Television Animation with Rough Draft Studios, Inc. providing the animation, the series focuses on the life of Philip Fry (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 that includes tough but lovely one-eyed alien Leela (Sagal) and walking robotic Id with one-liners, Bender.

Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, added, "When presented with the opportunity to bring fans and viewers new episodes of 'Futurama,' we couldn't wait to dive in. This iconic series helped blaze the trail for the success of adult animation since its initial launch and we look forward to Matt & David continuing to pave the way and further establishing Hulu as the premiere destination for fans of the genre." Marci Proietto, head of 20th Television Animation, concluded, "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 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."

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