Difference between revisions of "Recasting ploy"

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=== Immediate reaction ===
=== Immediate reaction ===


The immediate fan reaction to the news was anger and skepticism.  Fans quickly predicted that the whole thing was purely was a negotiation ploy by 20th Century Fox Television to force the voice actors to cave in for a lower salary.<ref name="vaitn">{{cite web |url=http://voiceactors.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/fox-attempting-to-recast-futurama/ |title=Futurama Recasting Full Coverage |publisher=Voice Actors in the News |author=Crumpton, Craig |date=2009-07-17 |accessdate=2009-08-04}}</ref><ref name="analysis-hitfix">{{cite web |url=http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-the-fien-print/posts/2009-7-17-clarification-on-the-futurama-recasting-reports |title=Clarification on the 'Futurama' recasting reports |publisher=HitFix |author=Fienberg, Daniel |date=2009-07-17 |accessdate=2009-07-27}}</ref><ref name="analysis-newsfromme">{{cite web |url=http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2009_07_17.html#017446 |title=Recasting About |site=news from me |author=Evanier, Mark |date=2009-07-17 |accessdate=2009-07-30}}</ref>  Immediate reactions elsewhere included that it being a publicity stunt to stir up more talk about ''Futurama''.<ref name="announcement-avclub">{{cite web |url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/futurama-to-get-recast-updated-and-updated-again,30532/ |title=''Futurama'' to get recast? |author=Phipps, Keith |publisher=A.V. Club |date=2009-07-17 |accessdate=2009-07-27}}</ref>
The immediate fan reaction to the news was anger and skepticism.  Fans quickly predicted that the whole thing was merely a negotiation ploy by 20th Century Fox Television to force the voice actors to cave in for a lower salary.<ref name="vaitn">{{cite web |url=http://voiceactors.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/fox-attempting-to-recast-futurama/ |title=Futurama Recasting Full Coverage |publisher=Voice Actors in the News |author=Crumpton, Craig |date=2009-07-17 |accessdate=2009-08-04}}</ref><ref name="analysis-hitfix">{{cite web |url=http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-the-fien-print/posts/2009-7-17-clarification-on-the-futurama-recasting-reports |title=Clarification on the 'Futurama' recasting reports |publisher=HitFix |author=Fienberg, Daniel |date=2009-07-17 |accessdate=2009-07-27}}</ref><ref name="analysis-newsfromme">{{cite web |url=http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2009_07_17.html#017446 |title=Recasting About |site=news from me |author=Evanier, Mark |date=2009-07-17 |accessdate=2009-07-30}}</ref>  Immediate reactions elsewhere included that it being a publicity stunt to stir up more talk about ''Futurama''.<ref name="announcement-avclub">{{cite web |url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/futurama-to-get-recast-updated-and-updated-again,30532/ |title=''Futurama'' to get recast? |author=Phipps, Keith |publisher=A.V. Club |date=2009-07-17 |accessdate=2009-07-27}}</ref>


In addition, ''Variety'' reported that the actors had asked for 75,000 dollars per episode in salary demands.<ref name="announcement-variety"/> However, at the time, it was neither confirmed by 20th Century Fox Television nor the voice actor's reps.<ref name="analysis-examiner">{{cite web |url=http://www.examiner.com/x-1486-LA-Personalities-Examiner~y2009m7d17-Not-going-back-to-Futurama-Cult-hit-animated-TV-series-finds-its-cast-in-a-salary-dispute |title=Not going back to 'Futurama?': Cult hit animated TV series finds its cast in a salary dispute |publisher=Examiner |author=Carreon, Jorge |date=2009-07-17 |accessdate=2009-07-27}}</ref> This claim was later disputed by [[Phil LaMarr]] on his Facebook page.
In addition, ''Variety'' reported that the actors had asked for 75,000 dollars per episode in salary demands.<ref name="announcement-variety"/> However, at the time, it was neither confirmed by 20th Century Fox Television nor the voice actor's reps.<ref name="analysis-examiner">{{cite web |url=http://www.examiner.com/x-1486-LA-Personalities-Examiner~y2009m7d17-Not-going-back-to-Futurama-Cult-hit-animated-TV-series-finds-its-cast-in-a-salary-dispute |title=Not going back to 'Futurama?': Cult hit animated TV series finds its cast in a salary dispute |publisher=Examiner |author=Carreon, Jorge |date=2009-07-17 |accessdate=2009-07-27}}</ref> This claim was later disputed by [[Phil LaMarr]] on his Facebook page.

Revision as of 07:59, 14 August 2009

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On 17 July, 2009, 20th Century Fox Television announced it would open audition to recast the cast for Futurama's upcoming sixth production season[1][2] when they failed to meet the salary demands of the voice actors. This announcement outraged the fans and lead to much speculation.[3]

On 31 July, 2009, Katey Sagal, Maurice LaMarche, Tress MacNeille, Billy West and John DiMaggio all sealed their deal with 20th Century Fox Television.[3][4][5][6] Supporting cast, including Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr, Frank Welker and David Herman, were settled a week later.[4]

Original dispute

When Futurama was officially revived for its sixth production season, it was assumed that the voice actors of the show were also expected to return and that a contract had already been signed.

Announcement

Before 20th Century Fox Television's official statement, Phil LaMarr posted an audition call for some of the main characters on Futurama as well as Kif Kroker and Zapp Brannigan. The call also included links to videos of characters so actors could get an impression of the voice. This call was later broken by Forces of Geek.[1]

Moments later, the story was confirmed by 20th Century Fox Television in a statement:[2]

“ We love the 'Futurama' voice performers and absolutely wanted to use them, but unfortunately, we could not meet their salary demands. While replacing these talented actors will be difficult, the show must go on. We are confident that we will find terrific new performers to give voice to Matt and David’s brilliantly subversive characters. ”

—20th Century Fox Television

Maurice LaMarche and John DiMaggio later confirmed the story on their Facebook pages.[7]

Immediate reaction

The immediate fan reaction to the news was anger and skepticism. Fans quickly predicted that the whole thing was merely a negotiation ploy by 20th Century Fox Television to force the voice actors to cave in for a lower salary.[4][8][9] Immediate reactions elsewhere included that it being a publicity stunt to stir up more talk about Futurama.[10]

In addition, Variety reported that the actors had asked for 75,000 dollars per episode in salary demands.[2] However, at the time, it was neither confirmed by 20th Century Fox Television nor the voice actor's reps.[11] This claim was later disputed by Phil LaMarr on his Facebook page.

Alternative theories

Despite the two more obvious versions, other theories started appearing to explain the whole ordeal. Though, after the panel, people are confident that it is a negotiation tactic more than anything else.[12]

Union requirement

Some fans suggested that it was a Union requirement to recast actors for a show returning. However, this was quickly rebut with references to how neither Family Guy nor Futurama itself had to be recast when it returned.

Publicity stunt

Perhaps the most popular theory, fans speculated that the whole ordeal was put together by 20th Century Fox Television as well as the show's runners and voice actors to stir up more publicity for Futurama up until the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con, where its truth was supposed to be revealed.[13]

After the cast was dis-invited,[4][14] the publicity stunt theory diminished as it would be improper for 20th Century Fox Television to dis-invite its cast for a stunt. However, John DiMaggio's singing in an interview a day prior to the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con panel regarding the negotiation[15] seemed odd considering that he was dealing with a negotiation for one of his favorite jobs. Though, some dismissed this as DiMaggio being confident that the cast would return.[16]

However, with no presence of the Futurama cast at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con, this theory was finally put to rest.

Response

Fan campaigns

When the news broke, the Futurama fan base quickly mobilised. Several of the sites reporting on the news advised its readers to sign petitions,[4] send e-mails to 20th Century Fox Television executives[4] or the casting director, Scott Muller,[1] and/or join Facebook groups[4] to voice their discontent with the decision.

With the extensive roar from the fan base, the cast in question responded with much appeasing of the fan base. Billy West personally thanked his readers on his forum.[17][18] John DiMaggio applauded the support in his IGN TV interview.[15]Also, [Maurice LaMarche]] and Phil LaMarr expressed their gratitude on their respective Facebook pages[4] and through a video.[19]

Other media

The fan base is not the only group to express their opinions. Adult Swim responded with a small piece on their channel regarding the recasting ploy, saying that if they did it their way, the show would fail again, and when they gave it back to adult swim, they would do it right again.[20][21]

2009 San Diego Comic-Con

Dis-invitation

A Futurama panel was scheduled for the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con on 25 July, 2009.[22] Including show runners, Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, voice actors John DiMaggio, Billy West, Katey Sagal and Maurice LaMarche were also scheduled to be there. However, on July 22, 20th Century Fox Television dis-invited the voice actors to participate at the panel.[14]

The panel

David X. Cohen and Matt Groening at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con Futurama panel.

The panel began without the actors present, and an announcement by the Hypnotoad told people to ignore their lack of presence.[23] Cohen and Groening then walked up on stage to explain that they were very concerned about the situation and hoped it would be sorted out soon, but could not speak on the negotiation matter.[23] In addition, the audience was asked not to ask questions on the dispute.[12]

Producer Claudia Katz and writers Patric M. Verrone, Eric Kaplan and Michael Rowe were also present at the panel.[24] While the panel itself revealed no new information except for Cohen's and Groening's support for the voice actors and the obvious plot points coming up, the structure of the panel did put an end to the publicity stunt theories, which would have required some sort of announcement at the panel by 20th Century Fox Television.

Expectations

After the Comic-Con panel had left, many fans had a sense of uncertainty with the lack of information on the matter[12] and some people were concerned with the possible outcome of the ploy.[12]

Some sources concluded that the production of the show had been delayed because of the dispute,[25] while others went out with that the production had been put entirely on hold,[26] and even suspicion to cancellation:[26]

“ The show was cancelled and all the actors went on to make other commitments. It's the studio who can't decide on how to get everyone on board. ”

—An "industry insider"

The comment was clear though. If the cast did not return, then there would be no new Futurama at all.[26] However, the later statement released by Matt Groening and David X. Cohen[3][6] seemed to hint at the halt of the production with their comment: "[t]he call has already gone out to the animators to put the mouths back on the characters".

Confirmation

On 31 July (around noon, Pacific time), 2009, 20th Century Fox Television announced that Katey Sagal, Maurice LaMarche and Tress MacNeille had signed a contract.[5] Later that day, Billy West and John DiMaggio also sealed their contract with 20th Century Fox Television.[6] David X. Cohen and Matt Groening released a joint statement on the matter:[3][6]

“ 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. ”

—David X. Cohen

20th Century Fox Television also released a statement:[6]

“ Just wanted you to know that we now have deals with the entire Futurama voice cast to return: John DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarche, Billy West, Tress MacNeille and Katey Sagal. ”

—20th Century Fox Television

Payment

Reports say that 20th Century Fox Television agreed to a pay more than they originally offered, while the actors agreed to accept less than they originally wanted.[3] The actors asked in the final negotiations for 40,000 dollars per episode,[27] but it seems they have settled for less than that in the end.[28] Where the original figure of 75,000 dollars per episode came from remains disputed.[29]

According to Katey Sagal, the voice actors originally asked for more than they were usually paid, as she put "season 6 payment", and the production studio did not originally offer that.[30]

Supporting cast

When the main cast settled with 20th Century Fox Television, the supporting cast, consisting of Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr, Frank Welker and David Herman, were not settled. The following week on 3 August, they began negotiation.[4] By 7 August, the negotiations with the supporting cast was settled, and all the actors are back with the Futurama production, [4] which is appropriate as the first table read for season 6 started on the very same day.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c Blitz, Stefan (17 July 2009). "Is FOX Planning to Recast FUTURAMA?". Forces of Geek. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  2. ^ a b c Schneider, Michael (17 July 2009). "'Futurama' without original voices?". Variety. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d e Salem, Rob (31 July 2009). "Futurama cast members ink new deal with Fox". Toronto Star. Retrieved on 01 August 2009.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Crumpton, Craig (17 July 2009). "Futurama Recasting Full Coverage". Voice Actors in the News. Retrieved on 04 August 2009.
  5. ^ a b Schneider, Michael (31 July 2009). "'Futurama' cast returning for reboot". Variety. Retrieved on 01 August 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Futurama Voice Cast Returning!". IGN TV. 31 July 2009. Retrieved on 01 August 2009.
  7. ^ "“Plus, they can replace them, and no one can tell the diddley-ifference!”". MacLeans.ca. 17 July 2009. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  8. ^ Fienberg, Daniel (17 July 2009). "Clarification on the 'Futurama' recasting reports". HitFix. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  9. ^ Evanier, Mark (17 July 2009). Recasting About. (news from me.) Retrieved on 30 July 2009.
  10. ^ Phipps, Keith (17 July 2009). "Futurama to get recast?". A.V. Club. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  11. ^ Carreon, Jorge (17 July 2009). "Not going back to 'Futurama?': Cult hit animated TV series finds its cast in a salary dispute". Examiner. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  12. ^ a b c d Fienberg, Daniel (26 July 2009). "Nothing ado about much for 'Futurama' at Comic-Con". HitFix. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  13. ^ Sánchez, JavieR (18 July 2009). "Futurama voice cast replacement analysis". The Futurama Point. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  14. ^ a b Sánchez, JavieR (24 July 2009). "The Voice Cast + The Panel at the San Diego Comic Con". The Futurama Point. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  15. ^ a b Goldman, Eric (24 July 2009). "SDCC 09: Bender Comments on Futurama Recasting". IGN TV. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  16. ^ The Movie God (24 July 2009). "‘Futurama’ Star John DiMaggio Is Confident All Cast Will Return". Geeks of Doom. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  17. ^ West, Billy (02 August 2009). HI!. (All Things Billy West Forums.) Retrieved on 06 August 2009.
  18. ^ West, Billy (22 July 2009). A BIG THANK YOU........ (All Things Billy West Forums.) Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  19. ^ LaMarche, Maurice (01 August 2009). Video of Maurice LaMarche thanking the fans. (Photobucket.) Retrieved on 06 August 2009.
  20. ^ "marloc clownface" (27 July 2009). "Futurama Being Recast?" Page 6. (Futurama Madhouse Message Board.) Retrieved on 29 July 2009.
  21. ^ "luvtheshows" (27 July 2009). "FOX screws the show again: Dropping original cast Voice Actors" Page 9. (PEEL.) Retrieved on 29 July 2009.
  22. ^ "Programming for Saturday, July 25". Comic Con. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  23. ^ a b Perkis, Ed (25 July 2009). "Comic Con: Futurama Ignores Controversy, Promises To Take On Twitter". Cinema Blend. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  24. ^ Cronan, Mark (02 August 2009). "CCI: Futurama". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved on 04 August 2009.
  25. ^ Maxwell, Erin (25 July 2009). "Groening speaks about new 'Futurama'". Variety. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  26. ^ a b c "parker" (25 July 2009). "New Futurama On Hold - Actors Fight With Studio". UGO TV. Retrieved on 27 July 2009.
  27. ^ Schneider, Michael (02 August 2009). "Future set for 'Futurama'". Variety. Retrieved on 02 August 2009.
  28. ^ Goldman, Eric (03 August 2009). "Futurama Status Update". IGN TV. Retrieved on 03 August 2009.
  29. ^ Crumpton, Craig (01 August 2009). "An Open Letter to ‘Variety’ and ‘The Hollywood Reporter’". Voice Actors in the News. Retrieved on 03 August 2009.
  30. ^ Keller, Joel (07 August 2009). "Katey Sagal talks about contentious Futurama negotiations - TCA Report". TV Squad. Retrieved on 07 August 2009.
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