Hulu Has Started #Bendergate By Lowballing John DiMaggio For Return To Futurama Reboot: 'Just Pay The Man,' Twitter Says
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There's really no hiding your negotiations in this day and age, especially ones for a show as high-profile as a reboot of the beloved adult cartoon Futurama - so if you're planning on lowballing your voice actors, you'd better believe devoted fans are going to call you out on it.
That's basically what's going on between Hulu and voice actor John DiMaggio in the negotiations for the new project, which fans were more than excited about only a couple of days ago. That excitement turned sour, however, when they discovered that one of their favorite characters - Bender - might not quite be himself this time around.
When I found out @hulu is trying to lowball @TheJohnDiMaggio and trying to replace the irreplaceable voice of Bender in the Futurama revival. #bendergate pic.twitter.com/BZrL70TCF8
— Taylor Kitz (@kitznplay) February 11, 2022
At first, all of this was only rumors, and nobody really knew for sure that this was what was happening - but based on treatment that voice actors have recieved when compared to "regular" actors in the past, it seemed very likely to fans.
When it turned out they were right, #bendergate was trending in short order.
Oh come on, Hulu. Pay the man! #JohnDiMaggioIsBender #bendergate #Futurama pic.twitter.com/LORF6cJ7bT
— Meleficent (@MessInTX) February 10, 2022
Surely the execs at @hulu realize they aren't just faced with replacing @TheJohnDiMaggio's Bender if they fail to sign him? Seems to me like a staggeringly boneheaded move to pass on the generational talent he has proven to be. #bendergate #Futurama #Hulu pic.twitter.com/Vwekwp7uVg
— UserNotSound (@UserNotSound) February 11, 2022
Fans are now saying they'll boycott the show - and possibly Hulu itself - if DiMaggio doesn't get proper pay. Some have suggested that the cast do the same.
DiMaggio himself has since spoken out to thank his fans for the outpouring of support:
Thanks for the concern and the props, everyone. I really appreciate it. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you posted, but until then… CHEESE IT! #bendergate
— John DiMaggio (@TheJohnDiMaggio) February 10, 2022
Hopefully, with the help of the fans, this #Bendergate issue will sort itself out. In the meantime, if you're desperate for the sweet sound of DiMaggio's raspy voice, you can also tell Hulu to stick it by watching his other big voice acting role at the moment: He also does King Zog on Netflix's Disenchantment. (Not only is it a great show, but Part 4 literally just dropped this week!)