The 4 Futurama Movies Speculation Thread (Possible spoilers)

[on:]

What we know:

First movie: Bender's Big Score

 

http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=24076

Show spoiler

Basically, "Planet Express" undergoes a hostile takeover and its new new owners make use of Bender for some criminal schenanigans. What follows is... a very big plot. Which I don't want to ruin. Because it's a lot of fun, very surprising, and something fans should wait for. Making return visits are: the Nibblonians, Seymour, Barbados Slim, Morbo, Santa Bot, the "God" space entity (probably not for the last time), Al Gore, and yes, sexlexia sufferer Zapp Brannigan (although all too briefly). Not to mention space battles, songs, and even a little time travel.

Second movie: ?
Third movie: ?
Fourth movie: Into the Wild Green Yonder

What does "Into the Wild Green Yonder" indicate, judging from the title, which is all we know about it?  My early guess is that Morbo's race finally invades.

The only thing I ask for this thread is use of spoilers when necessary/we have any.

[Reply #1 on:]

You bastard, I was going to make this after the other reached 20 pages...

[Reply #2 on:]

I second Otis' confusion in the news half of the split: I don't really understand why the original thread had to be cut into two separate "sub-threads."  I guess it does make reading the news easier, but I suspect people will be quoting the news in this thread anyway so others know what quote they're referring to, and that just seems a bit... redundant. 

What's done is done, though, so, this is my last speculative post from that thread:

 

"Into the Wild Green Yonder" sounds like it's a play off of "Into the Wild Blue Yonder," which is the official song for the US Air Force. So, when I think of that, (Earth's) domestic defense first springs to mind (Zapp Brannigan, perhaps? A war?). I have no idea why the "yonder" would be green, though.

In response to SpaceCase's last post in the old thread (their list about what "green" in the 4th movie title could mean), I wanted to add that Alternate Universe Fry's jacket was green, and I think the sky in that universe may have been green (or at least included green) as well.  I thought Futz raised a good point about the potential for another Al Gore cameo, too.

[Reply #3 on:]

I dunno, nothing in that list of yours strikes me as being movie plot-generating material.  If I had to guess Id say that there will be something green (that we dont know about yet) that will appear in one of the first three movies that will then become the basis for the fourth movie. 

[Reply #4 on:]

Didn't someone with reliable information said that into The Wild Green Yonder was an episode focused on the Fry/Leela relationship? If so I guess we're going to have to wait until the actual movie because none of those suggestions are really shippy material.

[Reply #5 on:]

I don't think we've heard anything like that on this board at least, MrBlonde...if you've seen it somewhere else on the interenet, please try to find it and post it in here, or if you're sure it's confirmed information, post in in the news thread.

Anyway, I totally agree with soylentOrange...what in the world was the point of that list? Seems like a complete waste of time.
[sarcasm]Yes, I'm quite sure the movie will be about Leela's jacket. Or Fry's fruit salad tree plant.[/sarcasm]

There was one thing in the list that struck me as a huge possiblity, though, which was the Internet. I never would have thought of that, and you're right, it is completely green. It's very possible that is what the title is referring to...and would make an interesting plot.
Who knows though. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Reply #6 on:]

The list was really just a way to brainstorm, I think (I don't know for certain; SpaceCase will have to confirm or deny that).  Most of the items there seem irrelevant, but I don't think it hurts to list them anyway.  If nothing else, it distracts from The Waiting Game for a few minutes....

I don't want to post this in the "news" thread since it's not really relevant to the plot of the movies, but I just read this on Billy West's site:

 

Source
Turns out that I will be at the San Diego Comicon just to be on a Futurama
panel..........talking about the new movies to DVD.Pretty much everyone else
is going so I'm going too.

Yay! 

[Reply #7 on:]

 

Originally posted by Mr Blonde dude:
Didn't someone with reliable information said that into The Wild Green Yonder was an episode focused on the Fry/Leela relationship?

Were you referring to this?

 

Originally posted by Ralph Snart:
So according to my source, there will be at least 13 new eps with option to produce more in 13 episode batches and 4 DVD's. Also, in either the last DVD or the new eps, the Leela/Fry romance arc will be settled in the very last episode aired and not before. In other words, when Futurama gets cancelled for the last time, we will have resolution of Fry and Leela.

If one assumes "The Wild Green Yonder" has been written and recorded before any contract of episodes beyond the current 16 batch, then the powers that be are facing another "Devil's hands" scenario, where they have to address the Fry/Leela relationship.  Ergo, WGY must address the relationship.

But I haven't seen a statement on this directly.

[Reply #8 on:]

I’m so happy that Billy West will be attending the Comic Con. It sounds like the new Futurama movie panel discussion will be a big event. There should be animatics shown as well if Matt Groening keeps his word, which I’m sure he will…

 

Originally posted by JustNibblin':
 If one assumes "The Wild Green Yonder" has been written and recorded before any contact of episodes beyond the current 16 batch, then the powers that be are facing another "Devil's hands" scenario, where they have to address the Fry/Leela relationship.  Ergo, WGY must address the relationship.

But I haven't seen a statement on this directly.

That’s a very good point, once again they are in that same is it/isn’t it the end of Futurama scenario. I hope the final movie doesn’t address Fry and Leela’s relationship too much. I bit is fine, but I’d rather it wasn’t the main plot. If we all make sure we buy enough DVD’s then it won’t be the end anyway, so let’s do that…

This has made me think of a new question. Obviously the Futurama team is back together at the moment, but they can’t just wait around after they’ve finished making the fourth movie wondering if they can carry on making new Futurama or not. They will have to know if they still have work or disband again which would make it a lot harder to make Futurama happen again. So at what point do you think they will know? And in turn when will we know if Futurama shall continue? Will it be based on the first movies DVD sales while they’re still working on the later movies, or will it be after they are all released, but assumabley soon after?...

[Reply #9 on:]

I think that Futurama has a good chance of returning after the DVD's. Comedy Central is cable, as in Futurama doesn't need stellar ratings to be renewed. It doesn't need to have the ratings like it would need if it was back on Fox, a network channel.

If the show keeps up its [adult swim] ratings, it will be renewed. It's likely that the show will actually get more ratings because of the more accessable timeslot they'd put the show in on Comedy Central (primetime as opposed to late night) and new content might attract more viewers.

If the movies sell well, it'll very likely be renewed right there, but if not, it'll likely be renewed after CC ratings come in. Fox likes money. If what they're selling gets money, they'll keep doing it (as in, the DVD's). Every network likes ratings. If what is getting shown is getting ratings, CC will keep doing it.


On the Fry/Leela plot idea, I would really rather that it didn't get to be that for the main plot of the fourth film, but maybe a sub-plot.

[Reply #10 on:]

Yeah, If the Fry and Leela relationship centralised a whole movie, I think people could lose interest.

[Reply #11 on:]

I thought there would be a Fry/Leela shippi plot throughout all the movies/episodes?

also - since everyone's the eps are airing on comedy centrl in America, does anyone know when/where they'll ir in england?

[Reply #12 on:]

Wait One question and its kinda stupid. Is the futurama movie ever getting a theature release or is it a straight to video kinda deal?

[Reply #13 on:]

Well, of course, the Fry/Leela thing is evident throught the entire show, and probably will be, but we're talking about one of the movies having a plot based around their relationship completely. Which would suck for a whole movie.

@Rex: Straight-to-DVD, and they'll also be chopped up into episodes that will air on Comedy Central. No theatrical release.

[Reply #14 on:]

If it was done as it was in The Why of Fry, where their relationship was an intregal part of a larger story, I think they could get an entire movie out of that.

[Reply #15 on:]

 

Originally posted by RexSand:
... Is the futurama movie ever getting a theature release or is it a straight to video kinda deal?

To the limit of my knowledge, at least, it is to be a direct-to-DVD movie.

[Reply #16 on:]

 

Originally posted by Otis P Jivefunk:

This has made me think of a new question. Obviously the Futurama team is back together at the moment, but they can’t just wait around after they’ve finished making the fourth movie wondering if they can carry on making new Futurama or not. They will have to know if they still have work or disband again which would make it a lot harder to make Futurama happen again. So at what point do you think they will know?

I anticipate they'll know well before the last movie. That leaves three entire movies (12 episodes) for someone to stand up and demand the rights for a new series.

[Reply #17 on:]

Failing that, I'll finally get my old quantum supercomputer up and running and we can download seasons 4,5 - 20 from the Internet in an alternate universe where the show was never cancelled.

[Reply #18 on:]

 

Originally posted by coldangel_1:
... I'll finally get my old quantum supercomputer up and running and we can download seasons 4,5 - 20 from the Internet in an alternate universe where the show was never cancelled.

I take it, that would be the alternate universe with smart F*x exeutives? 

I'm in.
Need any DVD's? 

[Reply #19 on:]

What are exeutives? You cofuse me!

I personally think that there's a very good chance that the series will be renewed by Comedy Central, if they have the standing to do so. Considering how much they paid for the rights to just rerun episodes, I don't think they'd mind the money to order new episodes.

[Reply #20 on:]

 

Originally posted by PazuzuJr:
I thought there would be a Fry/Leela shippi plot throughout all the movies/episodes?

I meant it would be bad if they were the main plot.

[Reply #21 on:]

 

Originally posted by i_c_weiner:
What are exeutives?

This.

[Reply #22 on:]

 

Originally posted by coldangel_1:

Failing that, I'll finally get my old quantum supercomputer up and running and we can download seasons 4,5 - 20 from the Internet in an alternate universe where the show was never cancelled.

Ahh, a little behind the times, are we?

[Reply #23 on:]

SpaceCase, have you ever heard of something called "sarcasm?" It's one of the greatest tools of the English language.

[Reply #24 on:]

 

Originally posted by i_c_weiner:
SpaceCase, have you ever heard of something called "sarcasm?"

Yes; I use it every chance I get.    

Originally posted by i_c_weiner:
It's one of the greatest tools of the English language.

I couldn't agree more - althought the concept isn't limited by language.
Might I suggest you have a look at this?
The last paragraph of the article in particular...   

[Reply #25 on:]

I'm banging my head against the wall.

[Reply #26 on:]

 

Originally posted by i_c_weiner:
I'm banging my head against the wall.

 

My work is done here...   

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread...

[Reply #27 on:]

I seriously hope Futurama doesn't pull a Family Guy and bring every one note character back in every movie. The only reason why I'm optimistic is because Futurama doesn't rely on comedy alone for entertainment and I still seem to enjoy the comics so we can only hope for quality movies.

[Reply #28 on:]

 

Originally posted:
2 = The Beast With A Billion Backs

All four movie titles are out now (News thread).  I have a hunch about which one will have the infamous tentacle creature that mates with  everything   

[Reply #29 on:]

Umm... Bender's Big Score?

[Reply #30 on:]

 

Originally posted by JustNibblin':
I have a hunch about which one will have the infamous tentacle creature that mates with  everything   

Hmm.  I think my brain just imploded from the mental image.

Too bad no one has any information about release dates for the latter three movies.  I'm interested in seeing how far apart they're going to be spaced and how that'll affect when they air on Comedy Central.

[Reply #31 on:]

DavidXCohen@AOL.com

[Reply #32 on:]

This article was just released today.

 

Found on ]http://tv.ign.com/articles/801/801261p1.html[/url]

July 3, 2007 - Recently IGN attended a King of the Hill recording session, where I was able to speak to several cast members, including Lauren Tom, who voices Minh and her daughter Connie. Tom is a very busy voiceover actress, who has worked on everything from Teen Titans to Kim Possible. Among her most notable roles is that of Amy on Futurama, a role she will be reprising soon, as Futurama returns with four DVD movies, which will also be reformatted as 16 new episodes, to air on Comedy Central next year.

I asked Tom about her return to Futurama, and she told me "We just did sixteen episodes and we just recorded the last four, and that was a big tear-fest." Noting that they'd just finished up a couple of days before, Tom then showed me a picture of the Futurama characters she had with her done by Matt Groening that Groening had signed and added additional drawings to for her. I definitely agreed with her declaration that it was "awesome."

As for the show continuing past these additional 16 episodes, Tom remarked, "We're keeping our fingers crossed that it will go on and have more of a life, because when we did the last table read, [Executive Producer] David X. Cohen said 'Welcome to the very last, last, last episode of Futurama …until the next last one!' So hopefully the fans will rally together again. Hey, it worked for Jericho!"

When I told her that we certainly have a lot of Futurama fans at IGN, both on our staff and among our readers, Tom replied, "Really? Oh, that's good! David told us that our ratings have been better [on cable] than they were when we were on the air before! So I think it's taking sort of a slow roll or something, that people are starting to get into it more now. So hopefully we'll be back!"

As for whether she was surprised to hear they would be returning to do more Futurama at all, Tom replied, "Completely! I think we were down for what, two, three years, so it was really just a blast from the past. But I'm so happy, because it's an incredible group of people. We have so much fun!

[Reply #33 on:]

Those movie titles are really unusual, I like them. Although  I do have to question just how good an idea it is to call a movie “The Beast With A Billion Backs”. Bare in mind that this has to sell as a DVD in the shops, and is that title really going to help it? I’m not so sure. It’s a good title, but from a sales point of view I question it. I can just imagine someone walking into a shop and they are looking for the second Futurama movie, they ask at the counter for the second Futurama movie and the cashier asks what it’s called and they reply “The Beast With A Billion Backs”. The cashier replies “Wrong section, you want the music section…”

 

Originally posted by cuavsfan:
An interview with Lauren Tom (voice of Amy)

"I asked Tom about her return to Futurama, and she told me "We just did sixteen episodes and we just recorded the last four, and that was a big tear-fest."

Interesting, there are two main conclusions to draw from this. Either it was a tear-fest because once again it could possibly be the last time they all work together on the show. The other reason could be because it is a shippy final movie and it has some sappy Fry and Leela stuff, or even Amy and Kif stuff…

[Reply #34 on:]

Perhaps both. If I remember right, there's supposed to be a more shippy movie. And, after thinking of what Lauren said, "Into the Wild, Green Yonder" sounds more and more like a Kif thing, meaning shippiness could work well in it.

The other part with possibly being the last time they work together (again) is sort of covered later in the article with the DXC thing. They once again aren't sure if this will be it, though I think it likely won't be, considering that it won't get pre-emptied by football.

[Reply #35 on:]

I just read this thread.  The Futurama movies sound like they're going to be a lot of fun!  I'm glad no huge spoilers were posted, I want it to be a surprise, myself. 

[Reply #36 on:]

there waS, juSt not huge

[Reply #37 on:]

 

Although I do have to question just how good an idea it is to call a movie “The Beast With A Billion Backs”. Bare in mind that this has to sell as a DVD in the shops, and is that title really going to help it? I’m not so sure. It’s a good title, but from a sales point of view I question it. I can just imagine someone walking into a shop and they are looking for the second Futurama movie, they ask at the counter for the second Futurama movie and the cashier asks what it’s called and they reply “The Beast With A Billion Backs”. The cashier replies “Wrong section, you want the music section…”

Please.  All true fans will know the name.  By the time it hits the stores, Futurama will have been on Comedy Central for at least a couple of months.  CC will advertise the thing up the ass, so the new fans that CC will pick up will flock to buy it.

Why do I think that Futurama will pick up new fans on CC?  Easy - it will be on during Prime Time, not around midnight as is with CN.  This means a whole new group of people will be able to watch it - people with 8-5 jobs, teenaged kids and other peole who are in bed around 11PM.

 

The other part with possibly being the last time they work together (again) is sort of covered later in the article with the DXC thing. They once again aren't sure if this will be it, though I think it likely won't be, considering that it won't get pre-emptied by football.

After paying 28.8 million wing-wangs for the 5 year exclusive rights to televise the series, I have an idea that it will be treated like gold-pressed latnium.  I believe that in late 2008 to early 2009, they'll be recording another 'final' 16 episodes.

As for DXC e-mail addy - he's either quit using it a long time ago or looks at it occasionally.  I'm sure that he doesn't have the time to view 500 e-mails a week that say:

"God, U R GRATE!  Futurama is ROTFLMAO funny!  R Their Gonna B anymore episodes?  What iz the new DVD going to be like?"

He and other writers use to look at the alt.tv.futurama newsgroup, but that was more than 5 years ago.

[Reply #38 on:]

I agree with Ralph.  Comedy Central spent way too much money on the series to just let it die out again.  My guess is that they'll wait for the new movies and the reruns that will be airing on their network to ignite some more interest in the show, and then announce that they're ordering new episodes.

One other thing:  Has anyone heard whether or not scenes from the animatic for Bender's Big Score are going to be shown at comic con this month?  I thought I heard somewhere that that was the case, but I dont remember where or from whom...

[Reply #39 on:]

 

Originally posted by soylentOrange:
One other thing:  Has anyone heard whether or not scenes from the animatic for Bender's Big Score are going to be shown at comic con this month?  I thought I heard somewhere that that was the case, but I dont remember where or from whom...

Yes according to Matt Groening...