Futurama Has Been Revived For 20 More Episodes
The show has been picked up by streaming service Hulu.
It's back to the Future(ama) time.
Variety is reporting streaming service Hulu has ordered 20 brand-new episodes of adult animated sci-fi comedy series, Futurama.
The show first hit screens in 1999 and ran through until 2003.
It was picked up again five years later and ran from 2008 to 2013.
Creator Matt Groening and developer/ executive producer David X. Cohen are both back on board, as are original cast members Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr and David Herman.
At this stage, the voice behind the iconic Bender and a series of other minor characters, John DiMaggio, is not signed on.
Producers are apparently hopeful he will come on board, otherwise the character would be recast.
He's been retweeting various fans who are imploring the show's overlords to have him involved in the project.
A premiere is slated for 2023 and production will begin soon.
Groening, also responsible for The Simpsons, said he was excited at the prospect of the show's return.
"It's a true honour to announce the triumphant return of Futurama one more time before we get cancelled again," he said.
Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, said they couldn't wait to dive in.
"This iconic series helped blaze the trail for the success of adult animation since its initial launch and we look forward to Matt and David continuing to pave the way and further establishing Hulu as the premiere destination for fans of the genre."
Futurama follows 25-year-old Phillip Fry (voiced by West).
In 1999, the character, a slacker and pizza delivery guy, accidentally freezes himself and wakes up 1,000 years later.
In the 'future' he meets a cast of characters who change his life.
The show will be produced by 20th Television Animation.
Marci Proietto, head of 20th Television Animation, noted the unique advantages animated shows had when it comes to revivals.
"What I love about animation is that it's possible for a successful show to take a pause and then resume years later, even on a different platform, and pick up right where it left off," he said.
"Futurama is one of those shows."
He said it was a win for the fans who have loved the show since the beginning, but he also predicted new people will discover Futurama for the first time.
Distribution plans for the show in Australia are not yet clear.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyVivienne Kelly