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The announcement of the cult-favorite, animated TV series, Futurama, returning as a reboot series set to premiere in 2023 was embroiled in controversy after one of the show's prominent voice actors said he will not be returning.
John DiMaggio–who voices the sardonic robot, Bender, along with a dozen other characters in the popular comedy series–turned down an offer to reprise his role because he couldn't reach a compensatory agreement with Disney's Hulu and 20th Television Animation.
Both sides of the situation–including DiMaggio's side and the studios' side–have expressed interest in wanting DiMaggio to return.
John DiMaggio, who voiced Bender on the original 'Futurama,' isn't currently returning for the Hulu revival. Here's why.https://ew.com/tv/futurama-john-dimaggio-wont-voice-bender-revival-for-now/?utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly_entertainmentweekly&utm_content=tv&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_term=620912656194ae00018343a8\u00a0\u2026— Entertainment Weekly (@Entertainment Weekly) 1644761717
Deadline reported that, according to sources, DiMaggio's deal was in line with that of fellow leads Billy West–who plays Fry; and Katey Sagal, who voices Leela.
However, DiMaggio's team found the lowball offer was not "competitive" enough to the market and to the legacy of the series.
It appears showrunners Matt Groening and David X. Cohen have recast the role of Bender ahead of the first table read on Monday.
Plans for recasting Bender sparked an uproar on social media among fans who threatened to boycott the reboot by using the hashtag, #BenderGate.
No John, no show. It\u2019s as simple as that. #bendergate \n\n@TheJohnDiMaggio @hulupic.twitter.com/bt34JXIeNk— Austin White (@Austin White) 1644525962
Oh come on, Hulu. Pay the man! #JohnDiMaggioIsBender #bendergate #Futuramapic.twitter.com/LORF6cJ7bT— Meleficent (@Meleficent) 1644535960
The fact that @hulu thinks they can replace one of the greatest voice actors in one of his most iconic roles is laughable. #bendergatehttps://twitter.com/TheJohnDiMaggio/status/1491987278494842880\u00a0\u2026— \u2601\ufe0f\ud835\udcaf\ud835\udc5c\ud835\udcc7\ud835\udcbe\u2601\ufe0f (@\u2601\ufe0f\ud835\udcaf\ud835\udc5c\ud835\udcc7\ud835\udcbe\u2601\ufe0f) 1644552719
While some scoffed at DiMaggio's standoff as a greedy endeavor, others supported him and campaigned against low wages for voice actors across the board.
I feel like the idea of @TheJohnDiMaggio as a replaceable element of Futurama is part of a wider issue of an industry that doesn\u2019t respect voice actors on the same level as live action actors. You\u2019ll see voice actors who MADE a character treated like no live action actor would be— Kelly Turnbull (@Kelly Turnbull) 1644476993
Voice actors who will play a character for a decade+ in video game franchises swapped out for celebrities who are NOT voice actors as soon as a bigger budget more ambitious project comes along, voice acting awards given to high profile A-list actors doing mediocre performances— Kelly Turnbull (@Kelly Turnbull) 1644477157
It\u2019s part of the greater issue of animation not getting it\u2019s due respect; this idea animation actors aren\u2019t \u201creal\u201d actors and animation writers aren\u2019t \u201creal\u201d writers, and artists are just replaceable machine parts contributing nothing special or unique.— Kelly Turnbull (@Kelly Turnbull) 1644477306
Meanwhile animation tops all the streaming lists! People love it! They want to watch it! They just don\u2019t think people who make it are doing real work for some reason!— Kelly Turnbull (@Kelly Turnbull) 1644477374
the fact that hulu supposedly can't get John on as Bender, and that "negotiations are at a standstill"\n\nmeans they don't want to pay him\n\nim not saying the full cast should go on strike and force hulu to hire John.. but wait, that's exactly what im saying #bendergatepic.twitter.com/zKw65UQyUJ— DungeonSkunk \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f (@DungeonSkunk \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f) 1644473615
Let\u2019s not forget Disney\u2019s random recasting of the Kermit the Frog voice actor, which instantly made his voice sound 100x worse and almost nothing like Kermit. Matt Vogel is definitely talented but he not only can\u2019t get the voice as good as Steve Whitmire, but he can\u2019t even (1/2)— Frank Tha Tank (@Frank Tha Tank) 1644531112
Get kermits facial mannerisms correct. It feels like all the life has been sucked out of the character— Frank Tha Tank (@Frank Tha Tank) 1644531137
Prominent voice actor Mark Hamill–known for his iconic portrayal of Luke Skywalker from the original Star Wars trilogy and for voicing Joker from Justice League Action–chimed in and said he would not attempt to take over for the original actor to voice the role of "FAKE Bender" should he receive the opportunity.
Please be reassured that I will NOT be auditioning for the role of FAKE Bender. You are one-of-a-kind, pal!https://twitter.com/TheJohnDiMaggio/status/1491878380228296704\u00a0\u2026— Mark Hamill (@Mark Hamill) 1644530532
After seething Futurama fans continued demanding for Hulu to pay up, DiMaggio posted an update, expressing his standoff was in regards to “self-respect," reflecting upon labor issues in the voice animation industry.
"I've been thinking about everything that's been going on these past months and just to be clear, I don't think that only I deserve to be paid more," he wrote.
"I think the entire cast does. Negotiations are a natural part of working in show business. Everyone has a different strategy & different boundaries. Their 'price.'"
"Some accept offers, some hold their ground. Bender is part of my soul & nothing about this is meant to be disrespectful to the fans or my 'Futurama' family."
"It's about self-respect."
He added:
"And honestly, being tired of an industry that's become far too corporate and takes advantage of artist's time & talent. Look, I wish I could give you every detail so you would understand, but it's not my place."
He thanked fans for their love and support and said he was "still hoping for the best."
Update: #bendergatepic.twitter.com/tBG7d9hQ3R— John DiMaggio (@John DiMaggio) 1644977451
The Daily Dotnoted how core fans are becoming increasingly aware of labor issues in the industry–whether relating to the pay disparity between cartoon and live-action writers, or the tendency to rely on stunt casting with A-list actors, such as Chris Pratt–who lent his voice to animated movies like Disney/Pixar's Onward and the upcoming Super Mario Bros. movie.
Futurama: John DiMaggio will not be returning as the voice of Bender\n\nChris Pratt, somewhere in the world:pic.twitter.com/IgFi0DSY69— rainy \u26c8 (@rainy \u26c8) 1644748623
But without the specifics pertaining to DiMaggio's negotiation with Disney and Hulu, fans find it easy to stand by their favorite voice actor and their #BenderGate cause.
The industry thinks voice actors are worth less than pennies, but the legacy of the characters they play is worth just as much as any love action performance. All voice actors deserve better pay and better conditions.— Ben L. (Chargeman Ben) (@Ben L. (Chargeman Ben)) 1644978053
Artists deserve to be paid for their work! Setting this precedent is so important for so many other artists and voice actors and I'm glad people are taking notice. Bender wouldn't settle for less than he was worth and neither should you.— match | official Gojo Satoru simp (@match | official Gojo Satoru simp) 1644977650
Stand your ground! Voice Actors don\u2019t get enough respect in the industry compared to others and I\u2019m glad you\u2019re standing up for yourself and your friends! We\u2019re behind you 100% of the way!— Ethan Trace (@Ethan Trace) 1644978421
The Futurama revival will have 20 episodes released in two batches. It will be the fourth revival of the adult series after running on Fox from 1999 to 2003 and being canceled midway through production during the show's fourth season.
In 2007, Futurama returned as four direct-to-DVD movies that subsequently aired as edited, 30-minute episodes on Comedy Central in 2008.
The cable network went on to fund for two additional seasons that aired between 2010 and 2013 before being canceled again.
In addition to West and Sagal, Hulu's reboot will reunite the majority of other main cast members, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr, and David Herman.