Last week, Wired reported a casting call for the popular show Futurama. The show is scheduled to make a return to prime-time television. It had been cancelled in 2003—however, since then, there have been four made-for-DVD movies featuring the show’s characters.
Now, with the show potentially making a rare comeback, the network is considering recasting the voice actors. Even if the casting call is a ploy or bargaining tactic, it’s still kind of bad form. Okay, the original main actors are asking for $75,000 an episode—an impressive paycheck by anyone’s standards, especially in this economy. However, it’s not like they asked for 75 grand and copies of all of Rhino Records’ best-selling box sets—now that really would be crossing the line. Let’s face it, though, different voices—even if they are kick-arse sound-alikes—would just make for a different show at this point. The show’s mood would surely change. This may not seem like much, but good timing and continuity is difficult to achieve, and even harder to replicate. Why tinker with it or the show’s legacy? Since its success has been proven with the original voice actors, why risk alienating its loyal audience?
I’m all for supporting up-and-coming talent (ahem), but let’s make new shows for that!
John Di Maggio voices that funny bot Bender like no other and the same thing goes for the rest of the extremely talented cast members and writers—the lineup is packed with all-stars of modern comedic animation. Future Futurama episodes will be better by keeping just them all aboard.
