Futurama without original voices?

SYM · Post by **SYM** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:31 pm

This will be terrible.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111800 ... 1&nid=2562

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 cast.

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."

Truth. · Post by **Truth.** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:41 pm

Has to be a hoax, nobody will watch this

blastmaster · Post by **blastmaster** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:55 pm

So many thick-framed glasses are being smashed right now.

ThaMexakin · Post by **ThaMexakin** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:44 pm

yeah if they dont get the original voices dont bother making the show. Cheapskate ass bastard always ruin good shows.

Mindbender Futurama · Post by **Mindbender Futurama** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:13 pm

my heart is breaking.

@ this greedy fuckory!!!

stop killing dreams you fuckers!!!!

I worship Futurama. this sucks asssss

Panama · Post by **Panama** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:03 pm

Don't bring the show back then

jredd109 · Post by **jredd109** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:20 pm

word. sucks ass if true. probably wont watch.

Nl5H · Post by **Nl5H** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:31 am

cant pay for futurama voice overs but can for american idol, 24, house, bones, and all the other wack ass shows you put out? come on that's bullshit..fucking republican suits...

eternalreflection · Post by **eternalreflection** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 10:54 am

Panama wrote:Don't bring the show back then

agree, though I guess I think the only essential ones are Billy West and Joe Dimaggio, I could see the rest being replaced without too many problems

Trademark · Post by **Trademark** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 12:21 pm

Nl5H wrote:cant pay for futurama voice overs but can for american idol, 24, house, bones, and all the other wack ass shows you put out? come on that's bullshit..fucking republican suits...

LOL American Idol is the biggest show in history. Futurama had to prove itself by selling dvds before they would GIVE IT ANOTHER CHANCE...It's called business little skipper.

Nl5H · Post by **Nl5H** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 2:33 pm

so what, the shit sucks.

intuition · Post by **intuition** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 3:58 pm

Nl5H wrote:so what, the shit sucks.

amen. it gets flipped past in syndication just like it got flipped past when it was on air.

Nl5H · Post by **Nl5H** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:10 pm

yeah, and there is nothing we can do about it, besides watch it as much as possible... i don't know the only hope is to kill of Nielsen, but that won't ever happen.

Gregg Popabitch1 · Post by **Gregg Popabitch1** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:04 pm

jack bauer is soooooo gona skewer nl5h

artMajor · Post by **artMajor** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:36 am

this sucks, but still...

futurama without original voices > the cleveland show

Moolah · Post by **Moolah** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:40 am

intuition wrote:
Nl5H wrote:so what, the shit sucks.
amen.

drug · Post by **drug** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 5:18 pm

Futurama cast signs new deal with Fox

Los Angeles, Calif.גThe Star has learned exclusively that the voice cast of Futurama has just signed a new contract with Fox after weeks of intense salary negotiations.

As late as last week, the network was threatening to replace the original voices of Matt Groening's cult-hit cartoon, to the point of actually announcing a casting call for voice actors to replace them.

The compromise agreement, with the studio paying more and the actors accepting less, comes after the announcement of a 26-episode pick-up here by Comedy Central. Futurama also airs internationally in syndication, has produced four bestselling straight-to-DVD movies (later cut into episodes) and an upcoming feature film.

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/674841

drizzle · Post by **drizzle** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 5:23 pm

that was inevitable, the whole new cast thing was an obvious but effective bluff