By JAKE ABBATE March 6, 2022
After weeks of uncertainty over John DiMaggio’s role in Hulu’s upcoming Futurama revival, the actor has finally worked out a deal with the show’s producers. Deadline brings word that DiMaggio has agreed to return as the voice of Bender when the series resumes its transmission sometime next year.
Hulu officially ordered a new 20-episode season of Futurama last month. But while most of the original cast had already signed on to reprise their roles, DiMaggio’s involvement was unclear. He later explained that his hesitancy to comeback boiled down to a salary dispute. In a lengthy statement posted via Twitter, DiMaggio claimed that he was “tired of an industry that’s become far too corporate and takes advantage of artists’ time and talent.”
DiMaggio received an outpouring of support for taking a stand and also spawned the hashtag #Bendergate. The producers behind Futurama initially suggested that a recasting was in order. But luckily, everyone settled their differences.
“I’M BACK, BABY!” said DiMaggio in a new statement. “So damn grateful for the love and support of fans and colleagues alike during this whole time (especially my wife, Kate), and I cannot wait to get back to work with my Futurama family.
#Bendergate is officially over, so put it on the back of a shelf behind Xmas decorations, or maybe in that kitchen drawer with all of the other crap you put in there like old unusable crazy glue, or maybe even put it in a jar you save farts in. Whatever floats your boat, I don’t care, you get the picture. I’M BACK, BABY! BITE MY SHINY METAL ASS!”
Additionally, Futurama creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen shared their own statements welcoming DiMaggio back into the fold.
“From the moment John DiMaggio auditioned last century, we knew we had our Bender,” said Groening. “So congrats to everyone at Futurama. We’re all back, baby!”
“John DiMaggio may be a great robot, but he’s also a great human being,” added Cohen. “Not many people or machines can say that. For the fourth time, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thrill to be back with our entire original cast and the phenomenal animators of Rough Draft Studios!”
Hulu’s Futurama revival will air sometime in 2023.
Are you happy to hear that DiMaggio is coming back as the voice of Bender? Let us know in the comments down below!
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