Along with the news, Groening wryly enthused, "It's a true honor to announce the trimphant return of Futurama one more time before we get canceled abruptly again." Added executive producer David X. Cohen, "I'm thrilled to have another chance to think about the future ... or really anything other than the present."
In regards to the "abrupt cancellation" Groening mentioned, Futurama originally debuted on Fox on March 28, 1999 and ran until August 10, 2003. Then, on March 23, 2008, Comedy Central debuted new episodes, keeping the show in production until 2013.
Returning to voice their characters are Billy West (Philip J. Fry), Katey Sagal (the one-eyed Turanga Leela),Tress MacNeille (Carol), Maurice LaMarche (Kif Kroker), Lauren Tom (Amy Wong), Phil LaMarr (Hermes Conrad) and David Herman (Scruffy). The one name not mentioned is John DiMaggio, who voiced the robot Bender. Contract negotiations are ongonig, but the producers are getting ready to recast the role if a deal isn't worked out.
The premise of Futurama is that slacker Philip J. Fry is cryogenically frozen for 1000 years and awakens in the 31st century. He finds work at an interplanetary delivery company, which is where he meets and works with Leela and Bender.
Futurama's new episodes are expected to begin streaming on Hulu in 2023.