When the news was broken to me that FOX were recasting the characters in Futurama, I reacted very differently to how I would have a while ago. Back in my youth, in the earlier days of Futurama impressions and giddy voiceover aspirations, I would have cheered and been excited at the possibility of having a shot (however ridiculous) at auditioning for one of my most favourite shows ever.
However, it's a different case now.
I was infuriated (and still am, although some explanations have allowed me to simmer) that FOX would disregard actors like Billy West, Maurice LaMarche, John DiMaggio, Katey Sagal (and the rest) who are giants of the industry.
Quite obviously, they have played a big part in making the show what it is. When Futurama comes back, us fans don't want a new Futurama - we want the old Futurama, with new exciting episodes!
Bob Bergen and J.S. Gilbert have informed me that this is indeed a move by the studios to avoid paying the actors more money. You can read a bit about what Bob thinks here on the VO-BB.
As I said, in earlier years, I probably would have jumped at the chance to audition for Futurama. Now though, I am not so lame to believe that I could bring the individual spark that each actor on Futurama provides. We can all bring our own thing, but that is why they were on the show before it stopped - they brought their own, personal magic. Plus, now that I have characters on an animated series myself, I know how I would feel if the studio tried to hire other people to get a penny pinching deal.
So, out with with the old, in with the cheaper? I think many of us are united in saying, "I bloody hope not".
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