The 4 Futurama Movies News Thread

[Reply #280 on:]

Most television shows have scripts to last them through part of, possibly all of, the next season. Also, in all likelyhood, Season 4 of Lost has already been taped, as they (1)would probably tape Lost when it's nice out since it's in a tropical setting, (2)probably have a backlog of scripts, and (3)have already taped the season well in a advance due to J.J.'s involvement in Cloverfield and Star Trek. Don't expect any disruptions on your favorite shows for this current season or the winter season. Spring, however, could be a different story. As long as the show has a nice backlog of scripts they haven't used, things should be good. Your favorite late night shows, however, likely will be in re-runs. They need current info to be topical. If they have some scripts or sketch ideas (in the case of shows like Conan, Letterman, and SNL) sitting around, they can last a little bit, but they'll need their host/performers due to ad-lib or stand-up tactics to survive, especially with shows like Conan or Letterman.

It's fairly ironic that Patric Verrone, as Futurama writer, is the head of the WGA-West, one of the unions that is on strike, as the strike is supposed to be in part due to share of revenue from DVD releases. Wikipedia says the strike will officially begin at 12:01AM on November 5th. (Remember, remember, the Fifth of November.) It's possible that some writers will be pushing that "deadline", of sorts, so the shows they work on have a library of scripts before the strike begins.

However, another strike is looming as well. The SAG and DGA (directors) have their contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers ending next June. If the WGA and AMPTP don't come to an agreement by then (which, personally, I don't think it'll come to), then it's not only possible but probable that the SAG, DGA, and WGA will have a joint strike agains the AMPTP, forcing the producers into submission, as well as the film industry. Once again, viewers are lucky because the AMPTP is preparing for the possible strikes by pushing production dates of upcoming films and television series up as to make sure there is a stockpile available. Good for the viewer, as we shouldn't see any disruptions in release dates in the short run, however, in the long run, this might be used as a bargaining tool by the producers to say that they don't need the collective guilds just yet.

It's complicated. It's politics. All you need to know is that Futurama's movies have likely already been written. Patric Verrone had fair warning of the strike being the head of the WGA-West; it's possible he made sure the show was prepared for this. It's also possible that some episodes have been written and have been stockpiled, although there is no information to confirm this theory.

I think that's enough of The Weinage talking about this strike for now.


Also, Bendless Love has given me an idea: how do you sign up to be a scab writer?

[Reply #281 on:]

Only 23 more day

P.S. I love lost its in my top 4 fav shows

[Reply #282 on:]

ZOMG MORE NEWS!

[Reply #283 on:]

Oooh... a math lecture. Interesting. No, wait, the other thing. Tedious.

[Reply #284 on:]

Excellent interview.
22 minutes of Hypnotoad!!...That could be enthralling.

[Reply #285 on:]

That was a great interview. I can't wait for the Hypnotoad episode. I have a feeling that I'm going to be in the category of people who think it's the best thing ever.

[Reply #286 on:]

Math= evil. I'll probably end up watching the math lecture out of sheer boredom and then I'll understand math.

Everybody Loves Hypnotoad: I'm 99.99999999999999999999999999 99999999999999999999999999999 999999999999% sure that I'll be in the category of the people who'll love it. How could you not?

[Reply #287 on:]

That absolutely sucks that he says there is probably no final time schedule for hi def versions.

[Reply #288 on:]

I have a good feeling that Comedy Central will air the Everybody Loves Hypnotoad episode as an April Fools Day episode like they did with Terrance and Philip.

[Reply #289 on:]

Oui! News here and here.

They both give a new summary, but they both have the same summary. Apparently Katey Sagal's not going to be in the commentary. They also spoil the three deleted scenes from the movie...

[Reply #290 on:]

Yup, that press release is now up at CGEF. Among other things, it says that the movies are going to be out through 2009 and that the Hypnotoad episode will include "TV commercials of the future."

[Reply #291 on:]

Through 2009? Damn it now we have to wait even longer for all the movies. Yes we'll get the 5 minute Comic-Con promo too!!! I have to save 30 bucks though. Thank god for my job.

[Reply #292 on:]

Yeah, I guessed about a 6 month space between releases.

That would be Nov. 2007, May 2008, Nov 2008 and May 2009 using a 6 month schedule.  Of course the schedule may change depending on sales and other unknown factors.  The kicker is, most, if not all the voice work is done and I bet most of the animation is done so the DVD's will be sitting on FOX's shelf, waiting for release.

So that axks the next question - will we see some of the new eps on CC before the DVD's are released.

[Reply #293 on:]

 

Originally posted by km73:
Yup, that press release is now up at CGEF. Among other things, it says that the movies are going to be out through 2009 and that the Hypnotoad episode will include "TV commercials of the future."

Is that date a typo or what? No mention of 2008, why not? Even if the last movie comes out in 2009 surely they would have said that but also mentioned 2008. The way they make it sound is the first movie is out in 2007, and then nothing in 2008 with the rest out in 2009. Surely they've made a typo...

[Reply #294 on:]

No, it's not a typo. I guess they mean "through" 2009 as in the way Ralph described it. Of course they can't mean nothing's coming in '08.

@Ralph - yeah, i was wondering if now this means that we won't get any new EPISODES until 2009?? That cannot be...

[Reply #295 on:]

Yeah I know they mean through 2009, but what I was getting at is that they didn't mention anything through 2008. I meant it's either a typo and they meant through 2008 OR if it wasn't a typo then what I was getting at is the fact they neglected to mention 2008 at all. If their plan is to indeed release through 2008 ending with 2009 then why didn't they say that? They didn't did they. Ralph's plan makes sense, I'm not desputing that, but Ralph's plan mentions 2008 and Fox didn't mention 2008 at all. They didn't even say that they will be releasing the movies ending in 2009 which would then suggest something in 2008 in between now and then. What they said was "with three more adventures expected through 2009". That wording is telling us that nothing will be released in 2008. Going purely by what Fox said I am disputing that hence my original post. See what I mean?...

[Reply #296 on:]

I have to wonder if the series gets revied (more eps made specifically as stand-alone and not as a DVD) if they can get the original cast.  Billy West's health is a question mark - he's in his mid-fifties and had postate surgery related to prostate cancer.  Katie is also over fifty and she has children and other work that she does.

Depending on ratings and DVD sales will determine the fate of the series.  I have to wonder just how behind the project FOX is - there is no "Official" Futurama site and the name Futurama.com is owned by a third party.

My guess is that Comedy Central has a lot (28.8 million wing-wangs) riding on this - they will promote the hell out of it.

Also the deal with CC is the reason we got the 4 DVD's - not FOX.  CC only ante the pot for the 5 year deal if they could get new eps.  Otherwise it would have gone back to CN for 10 million wing-wangs for 5 years.  Our chances of getting the new DVD's would have probably disaappeared after that.

The deal was done and Billy West let us know, then had to recant the story.  This gave a major blow to his credibility for a short time, and he got verbally chastised by DXC and Matt Groening.  He is now under a gag order and can't say anything about Futurama without prior permission.

People forget this - he really deserves a shout-out for trying to get the fans behind the movement and pressure FOX into reviving the series.  He also deserves to know that not all PEELers are like a certain member on this forum who totally pissed him off.

[Reply #297 on:]

Jeez Ralph, you make people Katey's and my age sound like we have one foot in the grave.

[Reply #298 on:]

I assume everyone read the press release by now.  It says that Futurama may continue through 2009 on!  Plus, that 15 page comic book comes with the DVD, and deleted scenes!  There will be more movies coming in 2008.  Can't wait!  I even have November 27th marked on my calendar!

[Reply #299 on:]

 

Jeez Ralph, you make people Katie's and my age sound like we have one foot in the grave. 

Hahahaha...

With me being one of the oldest members on the board, I know how you're taking that.

Hmmm, I thought I was the 3rd oldest, the other two being Capt. Skusking and Filthy Crab.  Now you're telling me that I have to take 4th place?  It's not fair, dammit.  I try my best at being old!

But Billy did have a major health scare with cancer earlier this year.  He actually made it to one of the VA sessions just days after his surgery and chemo treatment.

As for Katey - the gal is always working.  Boston Legal, The Sheild, made-for-TV-movies, etc.  I do know she has a special place in her heart for Leela - Leela helped her break from the Peggy Bundy character and allowed her to continue working in different areas.  Ed "Al Bundy" O'Neil hasn't been as fortunate - he's typecasted as Al Bundy.

So with Katey - will she have the time to do more Leela?  Her voice is just too unique to be given to anyone else.

I also have to wonder what went through her mind when she went to the Comic Con.  People like Billy, Matt and DXC have dealt with these things in the past, but I'm sure that the Comic Con was a first for Katey.

@ KurtPikachu:

I'm glad you read the press release - now you're only 6 months behind the rest of us...

Edited for those who can't stand to see somebody's name not spelled correctly.

[Reply #300 on:]

I was at ComicCon, and although the voice actors went out of their way to cheer Kaiytiye's first appearance, I was disappointed none of the fan questioners thanked her for coming or otherwise indicated how much her work is appreciated.  But then again, most of the fan questions were moronic.

Please don't delete this non-news post *weeps*

EDIT:  If I'm gonna misspell it, I'm goin' for the gold...

[Reply #301 on:]

*cough* It's "Katey." 

 

I was disappointed none of the fan questioners thanked her for coming or otherwise indicated how much her work is appreciated.

I am ashamed to admit, as someone who was actually in line to ask a question, that said thought never even entered my mind. It should have, but it didn't; I was so nervous about asking a question to begin with I'm surprised I even remembered how to function. >_<  If memory serves, she held a signing session in Autograph Alley the day before, though, so I'd like to think that at least a handful of fans who dropped by voiced their appreciation.

So, to keep this post somewhat relevant, I have a news related question: was there at any point a time when someone said that Ms. Sagal would be on the commentary for this movie?  Because I could have sworn I read that somewhere a few months ago.

[Reply #302 on:]

I read a few months ago she was going to be on there too. It must have been lies...

[Reply #303 on:]

It's all secrets and lies guys. [Homer] Secrets and lies![/Homer]

[Reply #304 on:]

That was on FoxStore's description for the DVD, I think. It really made me excited... :/

[Reply #305 on:]

 

Originally posted by Ralph Snart:
With me being one of the oldest members on the board, I know how you're taking that.

Hmmm, I thought I was the 3rd oldest, the other two being Capt. Skusking and Filthy Crab.  Now you're telling me that I have to take 4th place?  It's not fair, dammit.  I try my best at being old!

You're 4th that I know of.  I'll be 50 in Feb. 

[Reply #306 on:]

I was 50 in July

[Reply #307 on:]

Whoa - a lot of old farts here.  I'm a tender 47.

So it goes to show that good programming can draw out even the oldest, crustiest fans.

[Reply #308 on:]

Wow.. I felt old until I looked at the recent posts.. Now I feel young.. 

Some 20 years younger.. 

[Reply #309 on:]

I'm still younger than Matt Groening.  It does prove that smoking pot will permanently warp your mind.

[Reply #310 on:]

Courtesy of FM:TLZ's Tim:

 

Now that that's taken care of here another bit of news: A few nights ago I was contacted (one of the side effects of having your name splattered all over the main page of an internationally renowned web site such as this) by an author who is writing an article on the return of Futurama. He's s'posed to let me know when and where the article will be published, but what is more important is that he's talked to some people whose names you would recognize if you are any kind of Futurama fan and that there is significant interest in certain high places in bringing back the series - and this is beyond the current batch of episodes cropped from the movies.  I hope to have names and actual quotes real soon now but for now that's all I can reveal.

=O

[Reply #311 on:]

We're back baby!

[Reply #312 on:]

Best thing I'll hear today.

I believe that that was the first in-depth DVD review of the movie. But let me warn you, it give a lot of spoilers on the plot. I'll be waiting for more discussion on the Speculation thread.

[Reply #313 on:]

wait a sec.  Frida, isn't that the interview that Xanfor posted a week ago?

[Reply #314 on:]

Whoops... I forgot to change the link. Thanks for pointing that out.

Here is the real site. You can click this link below or the link on the original post for the site.

 http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review.php?ID=31358

[Reply #315 on:]

That's a really goood review. Here is another review, although this one is rather less positive. In fact it's pretty much the complete opposite of the review you've possted. Just goes to show you can't trust reviews...
 http://www.dvdcorner.net/html/main/index.php?direct=show_review&index=1314

[Reply #316 on:]

That was awesome!  Thank you so much for the link, Frida!

Show spoiler

Note - the film does end with a cliffhanger

Well, I'm glad I knew that beforehand, otherwise I'd be pretty annoyed by the end of the movie. :P

   

Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed "Futurama" and was eagerly looking forward to its return here. However, as much as I was looking forward to "Bender's Big Score", I'm pleased to say it was actually better than I'd expected

*squees and explodes*

ETA: ...Otis' article, on the other hand, is an utter killjoy.   

[Reply #317 on:]

Braindead. Please ignore double post.

[Reply #318 on:]

I choose to believe the review that Frida posted and forget about the other one. 

[Reply #319 on:]

I chose to listen to Frida's review. I can't wait for the movie. Otis' posted review thingy well fuck who ever wrote it. The person obvously doesn't like Futurama. 15 days God all this waiting is driving me insane.