Futurama could sound different when it returns next year. While there were celebrations when Fox announced that it was to produce 26 new episodes, now, it seems, budget cuts mean that the show may have to recruit a new voice cast.
According to Variety , “Talks have broken down between 20th Century Fox TV and stars Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarche and Tress MacNeille over how much they should be paid to take part in the show.”
So now the studio is looking for a new cast. Which could, of course, just be Fox hoping to call the actors’ bluff, in the hope that a deal can be struck. But for now, reckons Variety, the studio is serious about looking for replacements. It also reports that the resurrected show will also have to cope with a smaller writer staff and a quicker production schedule.
“We love the Futurama voice performers and absolutely wanted to use them, but unfortunately, we could not meet their salary demands,” 20th Century Fox TV said in a statement. “While replacing these talented actors will be difficult, the show must go on. We are confident that we will find terrific new performers.”
