After a few weeks of holding out on Futurama fans, John DiMaggio has officially joined the Hulu revival to revive his role voicing the shiny metal badass himself, Bender.
As the last original cast member to join the project, DiMaggio had previously held off from returning to his fan-favourite character, citing issues with pay and an industry that had become "too corporate."
The actor has since changed his tune, releasing an enthusiastic statement about rejoining his fellow castmates in the forthcoming 20-episode order. He did not, however, mention what led him to change his decision on the matter.
"I'M BACK, BABY! So damn grateful for the love and support of fans and colleagues alike during this whole time (especially my wife, Kate), and I cannot wait to get back to work with my Futurama family," DiMaggio said in a statement [via Variety].
"#Bendergate is officially over," he continued, "So put it on the back of a shelf behind Xmas decorations, or maybe in that kitchen drawer with all of the other crap you put in there like old unusable crazy glue, or maybe even put it in a jar you save farts in. Whatever floats your boat, I don't care, you get the picture. I'M BACK, BABY! BITE MY SHINY METAL ASS!"
Series co-creator Matt Groening also released a statement about the actor's return: "From the moment John DiMaggio auditioned last century, we knew we had our Bender. So congrats to everyone at Futurama. We're all back, baby!"
The series will also see the return of original cast members Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr and David Herman. Showrunner David X. Cohen will also be returning.
As the last original cast member to join the project, DiMaggio had previously held off from returning to his fan-favourite character, citing issues with pay and an industry that had become "too corporate."
The actor has since changed his tune, releasing an enthusiastic statement about rejoining his fellow castmates in the forthcoming 20-episode order. He did not, however, mention what led him to change his decision on the matter.
"I'M BACK, BABY! So damn grateful for the love and support of fans and colleagues alike during this whole time (especially my wife, Kate), and I cannot wait to get back to work with my Futurama family," DiMaggio said in a statement [via Variety].
"#Bendergate is officially over," he continued, "So put it on the back of a shelf behind Xmas decorations, or maybe in that kitchen drawer with all of the other crap you put in there like old unusable crazy glue, or maybe even put it in a jar you save farts in. Whatever floats your boat, I don't care, you get the picture. I'M BACK, BABY! BITE MY SHINY METAL ASS!"
Series co-creator Matt Groening also released a statement about the actor's return: "From the moment John DiMaggio auditioned last century, we knew we had our Bender. So congrats to everyone at Futurama. We're all back, baby!"
The series will also see the return of original cast members Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr and David Herman. Showrunner David X. Cohen will also be returning.
