futurama-cast

Geeks, dorks, and nerds united in a joint uprising against Fox on Friday when news broke that Fox was recasting the new iteration of “Futurama.”  But let’s not go torching buildings yet — just because the casting call went out doesn’t mean that Fox is actually getting rid of the voice actors for your beloved Bender & Co.

I’m still betting that this will get worked out, at least for some of the actors. The studio’s announcement is partly pragmatic, because 20th might really need to replace the cast, but also very much strategic, to put pressure on the original voice talent to lower their prices. Nobody wants to recast “Futurama.” And what’s, say, Billy West going to do instead? Performing occasional cartoon show voices such Pun Pirate #3 on “The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack” can’t be nearly as satisfying, or lucrative, as being back on this show.

So there you go.  Just a little gamesmanship as the studio tries to save money.  Although I don’t see why it’s necessary to make fun of Billy West’s career.  What did Pun Pirate #3 ever do to you, anyway?  All he ever did was try to bring some joy into yarrrrr life.