After nearly a month of controversy known to fans as #Bendergate, voice actor John DiMaggio has officially returned to voice Bender in Hulu’s Futurama revival.
Fans rose when the 53-year-old actor was not among the original cast members announced for a revival in early February, and later revealed that he believed he and the rest of the cast deserved higher pay.
The voice actor later revealed that he believes that he and the rest of the cast deserve to be paid more, but now an agreement has been reached and DiMaggio joins the cast, thanking the fans in a statement (via Variety).
He’s back: After nearly a month of controversy known to fans as #Bendergate, voice actor John DiMaggio is officially back to voice Bender in Hulu’s Futurama revival
Bendergate: Fans were picked up when the 53-year-old actor was not among the original cast members announced for a revival in early February, and later revealed that he believes he and the rest of the cast deserve higher pay
Statement: The voice actor later revealed that he believes that he and the rest of the cast deserve to be paid more, but now an agreement has been reached and DiMaggio joins the cast, thanking the fans in a statement. (via Variety)
‘I’M BACK, DEAR! “I’m so damn grateful for the love and support of both the fans and my colleagues all this time (especially my wife Kate) and I can’t wait to get back to work with my family from Futurama,” Di Maggio began.
– #Bendergate is officially over, so put it on the back of a shelf behind Christmas decorations, or maybe in that kitchen drawer with all the other crap you put in there like old useless crazy glue, or maybe even put it in a jar saving you farts – he continued.
“I don’t care what floats in your boat, you know. I’M BACK, DEAR! GIVE ME THE GLOSSY METAL A **! ‘ he concluded, using one of Bender’s iconic phrases.
John and Kate: “I’m back, BABY! “I’m so damn grateful for the love and support of both fans and colleagues all this time (especially my wife Kate) and I can’t wait to get back to work with my family from Futurama,” Di Maggio began.
Futurama debuted on Fox in 1999, an animated series by The Simpsons creator Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, who followed the crew of a 31st century supply company.
The show aired four Fox seasons from 1999 to 2003, before being canceled, later resumed with a series of four live DVDs released between November 2007 and February 2009.
The popularity of these films – all involving the entire original cast – led Comedy Central to launch the show for four more seasons from 2010 to 2013.
Debut: Futurama debuted on Fox in 1999, an animated series by Simpson creator Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, who followed the crew of a 31st century delivery company
The show stars Billy West as Philip J. Fry, a man who accidentally froze in 1999 and thawed in 2999, Katie Sagal as the one-eyed alien Lila, Tress McNeill as the computerized mother, Maurice LaMarche as Keef Crocker, Lauren Tom as Amy Wong, Phil Lamar as Hermes Conrad and David Herman as Scruffy, with most of the actors expressing several other characters.
Futurama co-author Matt Groening added: “From the moment John DiMaggio auditioned last century, we knew we had our Bender. So congratulations to everyone at Futurama. We’re all back, honey!
David X. Cohen added: “John DiMaggio may be a great robot, but he is also a great man. Not many people or machines can say that.
Bender is back: Futurama co-author Matt Groening added: “From the moment John DiMaggio auditioned for the last century, we knew we had our Bender. So congratulations to everyone at Futurama. We’re all back, honey!
“For the fourth time, it’s a thrill that happens once in a lifetime to come back with all our original cast and phenomenal animators from Rough Draft Studios!” He added.
Hulu announced the revival in early February, ordering 20 episodes that will premiere in 2023.
Production is said to begin in February, although it is unclear whether production began without DiMaggio.
Production: Production is said to begin in February, although it is unclear whether production began without DiMaggio