Animation Futurama Thread

[Gilpesh]

Really. This giant bit of grandstanding on Fox's part... has backfired already.

 

[Gold Samurai]

Interesting question since Hermes isn't listed there. Amy either.

I think that's an indication that Lauren Tom and Phil LaMarr have already signed on to record lines for the show.

 

[Lighthouse]

Wow, I didn't think it was possible to totally lose interest in Futurama, but thats sure how I feel now.

 

[Matt]

Same. Though I think it is just Fox trying to force the actors into a lower contract. I mean, the casting call did not even give up to date information on the characters. Hopefully the fan backlash will convince them to pay up. Futurama hasn't maintained such a following so long after its cancellation because the humor was revolutionary or because stoned college kids love it (*cough cough, Family Guy, cough cough*). It has maintained a following because the show has heart and characters that people relate to and care about. The voice actors were a big part of that. Fox should pay up.

 

[Gilpesh]

It helps that the voice talent was actually so talented that many times they were just talking to themselves. Like Billy West doing four main cast members.

 

[Manic]

It's like in the movie Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. It was this whole detective mystery, but the story started when Downey Jr's character sorta auditioned for a movie role, was cast as the lead actor, got flown from NY to Hollywood, and was set up with a detective to help him study his role, only for him to lose it when Colin Ferrell stopped asking for a higher salary.

By the way, I didn't spoil a damn thing. That whole premise took place in the first 5 minutes, and you forget he's even up for a movie role after that.

 

[Watchman]

I still can't believe that I have zero interest for Futurama.

I'm still hoping that this is some sick joke and we will all get surprised at Comic Con.

 

[The Squirrel]

They might as well not do the show if they are not going to get all the voice actors back.

 

[Etienne]

I think that's an indication that Lauren Tom and Phil LaMarr have already signed on to record lines for the show.

It wouldn't surprise me.

Damn, Zoidberg is not Zoidberg without Billy West.

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

this is just simply not going work, the simpsons has been on a downward spiral for years yet they're cast get **** loads of money

 

[terry78]

Honestly, no one can do a scream like Billy West. Watch any ep. of the show where Fry has to go into some screaming fit....that high pitched wail is hilarious.

 

[MarkUrgent]

I think it's a trick to go along with the official write up for the Futurama panel being this:

"1:00-1:45 Futurama: Life or Death?!— Be a part of sci-fi history! Join executive producers Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, and stars Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, and Maurice LaMarche for high-stakes thrills as a top-ranking FOX executive decides live, on stage, whether Futurama will make yet another triumphant return or whether it is gone forever! The very fate of Futurama hangs in the balance! Paramedics will be standing by in case the intense excitement causes any panelists to collapse. Raucous celebration or abject despair to follow the news. Ballroom 20 "

And if it's not a joke, then it's a negotiating tactic. Execs aren't idiots, they just love money over everything else, and as much money as they could save/make screwing over the voice actors now, it pales to how much they could make in the future when the show hits 100+ episodes and can be syndicated for eternity. All they want is for the VA's to come down from 75,000 per episode.

What confuses me, is that all the people saying it's a negotiating tactic act like it's an old trick. How would the performers and their agents not know what's going on?

Anyway, here's a good article on the whole thing. http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2009_07_17.html#017446

 

[chaseter]

That is the most we can hope for now, that Fox is just puffing out their chests to negotiate a deal. Part of me wants them to fail and anger the voice talent so that they don't get them back, which would cause a huge media storm and angry fan threats. I hate Fox. What is a few thousand an episode when you are going to be making millions and millions off of it in the long run?

 

[Etienne]

That is the most we can hope for now, that Fox is just puffing out their chests to negotiate a deal. Part of me wants them to fail and anger the voice talent so that they don't get them back, which would cause a huge media storm and angry fan threats. I hate Fox. What is a few thousand an episode when you are going to be making millions and millions off of it in the long run?

That means nothing to them. Ratings is everything in this business.

 

[chaseter]

And, if you anger the fanbase that made that series popular and warranted a return from death, then you are up **** creek.

Fans bought the dvds that made Fox take a second look. Fans made this show what it is today. If you anger them, you potentially could lose tons of profit.

To me, this is a no brainer. I don't know what the **** Fox sees.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

What the **** was wrong with the old cast? I'll watch one or two episodes just to see how bad it is.

 

[Sawyer]

What the **** was wrong with the old cast? I'll watch one or two episodes just to see how bad it is.

Apparently they wanted more money than Fox was willing to part with. LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME!

 

[Spidey-Bat]

And yet Fox has no problem giving money to crap like Family Guy.

 

[Sawyer]

And yet Fox has no problem giving money to crap like Family Guy.

****ing figures.

I mean, really, how much could they be asking for?! I highly doubt they're asking for like $1 million per episode or something...

 

[MarkUrgent]

It's got to be a negotiating tactic. Execs may be *****ebags, but they get their jobs because they make money, and as much cash as they might make/save screwing over the cast here it pales in comparison to how much they'd make in the long run when the series reaches a hundred plus episodes and then they can syndicate it into eternity. All the advertising and licensing revenues, but they don't have to make anything new.

The voice actors want 75 grand an episode, and fox probably wants them to come down to 60 or below.

 

[Kingfish]

Execs don't believe that it really matters to viewers who voices the characters. LaMarr says as much on his Facebook. All they see is an opportunity to spend less money.

 

[Masquerade]

This news about the voice acting makes me sad.

 

[Etienne]

And yet Fox has no problem giving money to crap like Family Guy.

A better comparison would be them giving the cast of the Simpsons a huge pay raise.

 

[Gold Samurai]

Apparently they wanted more money than Fox was willing to part with. LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME!

I still remember the cast of the Simpsons holding out for more money, they obviously won or came to a amicable agreement.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

A better comparison would be them giving the cast of the Simpsons a huge pay raise.

Family Guy is worse.