Original voices to return

The cast of Futurama will be returning for the next series after striking a pay deal.

Talks had deteriorated so much that makers 20th Century Fox TV had advertised for replacements for the voices of Fry, Bender and the rest.

But now the deadlock has been broken between the producers and actors John DiMaggio, Billy West, Katey Sagal, Maurice LaMarche and Tress MacNeille , who will all return for another 26 new episodes.

Budgets on the show have been slashed as it moved from the main Fox network to cable’s Comedy Central, meaning the cast had to swallow a pay cut.

Creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen released a statement saying: ‘We are thrilled to have our incredible cast back. The call has already gone out to the animators to put the mouths back on the characters.’

The new episodes are due to air in the States in the middle of next year.

Published: 1 Aug 2009