Futurama Is Back But it will not be the same

So I'm sitting here at work and I see just released is a casting call for FUTURAMA. I'm like awesome wonder what random characters they're looking for? I click on it and they are re-casting EVERY ROLE. WTF.

So what's going down is that with the show in such hot demand, the original voice actors have upped their quotes (money) and now its become open. If the quotes of the actors can not (will not) be met by the studio then they will take the next best test.

This might be a good thing, it feels like a REALLY REALLY BAD thing. Ugh... THOUGHTS?

ETA: Most recent VARIETY article discussing the new development... you heard it from me first! Yayuh! ARTICLE

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FUTURAMA
Voice Over
Episodic
1/2 hour animated comedy for Twentieth Century Fox Television
SAG

Creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen
Casting Director: Scott Muller
Shoot/Start Date: August
Pay Rate: TBD
Location: Los Angeles

SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY
OR
FOR SUBMISSION OF AUDIO ONLY (MP3S ON CD PLEASE) [EDIT]

VOICE AUDITIONS MAY BE SENT IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

1. MP3 AUDIO AUDITIONS ONLINE IN WHATEVER MEANS IS CONVENIENT FOR YOU.

2. MP3 AUDIO AUDITIONS ON CD.

3.EMAILED AS ATTACHMENTS TO: [EDIT](NOTE: PLEASE USE THIS METHOD SPARINGLY, ATTACHMENTS NOT TO EXCEED 5 MB) AUDITIONS SHOULD BE SENT ASAP AS WE WILL BE MOVING QUICKLY. PRODUCER SESSIONS WILL BE HELD AT A DATE TBD.

We are starting casting immediately for Futurama, a half-hour animated comedy created by Matt Groening and David X. Cohen. Descriptions of these established characters follow, along with links to clips of previous episodes for reference.

Sides are available at Sides Express and can also be downloaded from the following link: [EDIT]

SERIES REGULAR ROLES:

[PHILIP J. FRY ("FRY" ) ] Fry, a 20th century slacker, works as a pizza delivery boy. On December 21st, 1999, he is cryogenically frozen and wakes up 1000 years in the future in the city of New New York. Through a series of events, Fry tracks down his great (x30) nephew Professor Hubert Farnsworth and lands a job at the Professor's Planet Express delivery company as… a delivery boy. Fry bunks with Planet Express's beer-swilling robot, Bender. Fry is constantly trying to win the heart of Leela, the company's ship captain...SERIES REGULAR

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=164702&title=flashback-freeze (Episode 5ACV03)

[TURANGA LEELA ("LEELA" ) ] Leela, a sexy Cyclops, is the captain of the Planet Express delivery ship. Leela is in charge of every company mission, having her hands full keeping Fry and Bender in line. Her early years were spent in an orphanage where she was a bit of an outcast for having one eye. She took up kickboxing and other similar sports to make up for the lack of friends. She still has problems with men and often gets jealous of Amy's (her co-worker) popularity among the opposite sex. She has a soft spot for Fry but is unsure of anything further than that, due to Fry's clumsy advances...SERIES REGULAR

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=162824&title=leelas-timeline (Episode 4ACV02)

[BENDER BENDING RODRIQUEZ ("BENDER" ) ] Bender, a cigar-smoking, booze-guzzling, kleptomaniac robot, had a successful career in bending girders but tired to kill himself when he found out the girders were being used for suicide booths. He was saved by Fry and later took a job at Planet Express. To be able to function properly, Bender needs the chemical energy from alcohol. Excessive drinking is mandatory or he will become sober and unable to control his body. Magnets stuck to his head make him sing like a folk singer...SERIES REGULAR

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=188899&title=bender-the-drone (Episode 5ACV05)

[PROFESSOR HUBERT FARNSWORTH ("PROFESSOR" ) ] Professor Hubert Farnsworth is the owner of the Planet Express delivery company, which he uses to fund his strange scientific experiments. He also lectures at Mars University on the mathematics of quantum neutrino fields (he made up the name so no one would dare take the course). He is technically 160 years old, but to avoid being picked up by the sunset squad and taken to the near death star he says he is only 150...SERIES REGULAR

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=217636&title=back-in-action (Episode 5ACV01)

[DR. JOHN ZOIDBERG ("ZOIDBERG" ) ] Dr. Zoidberg, a lobster-like alien, left his home planet of Decapod 10 to become a rich doctor but instead became the Planet Express staff doctor (doesn't pay so well). Zoidberg, who is usually shunned by the rest of the Planet Express crew, is always in search of his next meal. His skill as a surgeon, and basic knowledge of human anatomy, are often called into question. He secretly desires to become a stand-up comedian...SERIES REGULAR

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=147743&title=love-lessons (Episode 2ACV05)

FUTURAMA RECURRING ROLES:

[MOM] Mom is the very old, very rich, very ruthless founder of Mom's Friendly Robot Company. She has three sons: Walt, Larry, and Igner, who work for the company and help Mom do her dirty work. Many years ago, Farnsworth worked for Mom's Friendly Robot Company, and they had a fling, which ended when Mom kept turning Farnsworth's cute inventions into mad, killing machines...RECURRING

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=147736&title=mothers-day (Episode 2ACV14)

[ZAPP BRANNIGAN] Zapp Brannigan is a 25-star General of the Democratic Order of Planets and has been responsible for several successful wars including a triumph over the pacifists of the Ghandi Nebula. He is always accompanies on mission by his hapless assistant Kif Kroker. Behind all his bravado he is a wimp who is not very intelligent. He once slept with Leela, a fact hat he constantly reminds her of...RECURRING

http://www.hulu.com/watch/60311/futurama-zapp-in-the-shower (Episode 2ACV17)

[KIF KROKER ("KIF" ) ] Kif Kroker is a hard working, long suffering alien Lieutenant of the DOOP who does all the hard work and takes the rap for problems usually caused by Zapp Brannigan (his superior officer). Zapp considers Kif to be his most loyal friend – however, Kif in fact views Zapp as an imbecile. He is smitten with his current girlfriend Amy. He has no bones and is supported by a system of inflated bladders...RECURRING

http://www.hulu.com/watch/4471/futurama-kif-is-pregnant (Episode 4ACV01)

As long as the voices sound similar and the humor is still good, it won't matter to me.

As long as the voices sound similar and the humor is still good, it won't matter to me.

muffincakes87

Hmm, I might apply for the Zoidberg position. I can do a good 'woob woob woob woob'.Brutal_Elitegs

Sad. Money makes the world go round, not fans.

I feel like that will kill the show :(

Hmm. . . .Zapp Brannigan. . .

Why wouldn't the actors come back? They did for the movies! :x

[QUOTE="muffincakes87"]

As long as the voices sound similar and the humor is still good, it won't matter to me.

Sajedene

Maybe she thinks that she's to good to do cartoons nowadays. I never seen Sons of Anarchy but now I just want to what she does in her role.

Hmm, I might apply for the Zoidberg position. I can do a good 'woob woob woob woob'.Brutal_Elitegs

Greedy actors suck.

Its understandable I guess, but I will be a bit disappointed even if the new actors would be good.

That just seems like a horrible idea. I'd rather they not make new episodes if they're really going to go in this direction. There's already a connection to the voices the actors provided, changing them would just make it all seem so....weird. Kind of like when the voice actors for the original Charlie Brown specials grew up and were replaced (no, I'm not that old :x ). The newer ones just didn't have that.....chemistry (if you can call it that). Hopefully they can come to some sort of deal and keep the originals.

Greedy actors suck.

Its understandable I guess, but I will be a bit disappointed even if the new actors would be good.

vidplayer8

My mom sounds exactly like Katey Segal...Hmm, maybe I should give her a call and inform her of this development.

New or old voice actors, I still don't like the show. Only episode that made me laugh, smile, or anything, and that was the episode with Fry's dog. Otherwise, show was unimpressive. SeraphimGoddess

ya it wont be the same thats fo sho

This is full of fail. Bender and Dr Zoidberg cannot be done by anyone else :(Kikouken

Its the 21st century, cant they just use audio software to make anyones voice sound like the old characters or are there copyright laws on the original actors unique larynx vocal variations? :|

Even if the show is different, it will still be amazing.

Futurama is my favorite show!

I hope they come to some sort of agreement D=
It just wouldnt be the same without the original voice actors..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xkx04RBJXk&feature=related

TBH it sounds like a scam email to me. These aren't rare, what they do is get you to "audition" and then tell you that you might get the gig but first you need to send in pictures or some other expensive thing that they just so happen to convienently sell (or refer you to another company that is, in reality, run by the same people). Of course the job doesn't actually exist and once you pay for the stuff you never hear from them again.

I also say that it sounds like BS because some things don't make sense:

- These actors were hired on for the movies, seems odd that they wouldn't be picked up again for the series
- What idiot executives greenlight a new season for a show like Futurama without securing all of the contracts first?
- Fox has a track record for paying out crazy sums of cash to Matt Groening's voice actors. They have no problem giving The Simpsons voice actors millions of dollars for each episode. Yes, The Simpsons is a much more valuable franchise, but I seriously doubt that the Futurama actors are asking for $20 million a year like The Simpsons actors do.
- Since when are things of this nature handled over email?

I'd be willing to bet that if you look at the full header for that email you're going to find that it didn't come from a Fox IP address.

New or old voice actors, I still don't like the show. Only episode that made me laugh, smile, or anything, and that was the episode with Fry's dog. Otherwise, show was unimpressive. SeraphimGoddess

How did you laugh at that episode. :cry: That episode was so sad it made me :cry:!

I think I'm going to cry. :(

[QUOTE="SeraphimGoddess"]New or old voice actors, I still don't like the show. Only episode that made me laugh, smile, or anything, and that was the episode with Fry's dog. Otherwise, show was unimpressive. DarkGamer007

How did you laugh at that episode. :cry: That episode was so sad it made me :cry:!

[QUOTE="DarkGamer007"]

[QUOTE="SeraphimGoddess"]New or old voice actors, I still don't like the show. Only episode that made me laugh, smile, or anything, and that was the episode with Fry's dog. Otherwise, show was unimpressive. Avistann

How did you laugh at that episode. :cry: That episode was so sad it made me :cry:!

That's weird. I read that Billy West, Katey Sagal, and John DiMaggio would return.krazykillaz

Only John DiMaggio can do Bender, it's so weird that he also vocies Marcus Fenix.

I'll be Fry!

Hmm, I might apply for the Zoidberg position. I can do a good 'woob woob woob woob'.Brutal_Elitegs

:lol: I love Zoidberg's 'woob woob' :P

Honestly, though, the show would be weird with different voice acting.... :?

Just to clear one thing up...

Billy West, Katey Sagal and John DiMaggio WILL return. Just thought I'd share this with you.

Just to clear one thing up...

Billy West, Katey Sagal and John DiMaggio WILL return. Just thought I'd share this with you.

Hallenbeck77

Oh, as long as those three are returning, I don't mind if other actors leave.

This doesn't make any sense...Why would the original voice actors sign on for the movies but not the show...spazzx625

another nail in the coffin, please just leave things alone people. reboots, remakes .... egh?Devvy01

As long as the voices sound similar and the humor is still good, it won't matter to me.

muffincakes87

i gotta agree you pretty much at least have to have Billy West and Katy Sagal back and the others should be close enough to the previous so you can't really tell the diff that much when they are played back to back in reruns. but it is a risk to change to main characters in such a good show. Many of us just love Futurama and I hope they don't screw it up too much

[QUOTE="DarkGamer007"]

[QUOTE="SeraphimGoddess"]New or old voice actors, I still don't like the show. Only episode that made me laugh, smile, or anything, and that was the episode with Fry's dog. Otherwise, show was unimpressive. Avistann

How did you laugh at that episode. :cry: That episode was so sad it made me :cry:!