‘Futurama’: Fans Believe Billy West Could Voice Bender
Futurama star Billy West could be voicing another character for the upcoming Hulu revival. West and his other co-stars will reprise their roles for the sci-fi animated sitcom. However, John DiMaggio’s future as Bender remains in question. If the show recasts Bender, fans have the perfect candidate.
‘Futurama’ might have to recast Bender if John DiMaggio doesn’t return
Bender is a prominent character on Futurama. The beer-drinking, naughty robot provides plenty of laughs with his schemes. DiMaggio has been voicing the character since the show’s premiere in March 1999. However, the actor may not be returning to the role for the revival.
According to Entertainment Weekly, money is why DiMaggio hasn’t signed on for the revival. DiMaggio received the same money offer as West and Katey Sagal, yet thought it was a lowball offer. DiMaggio contract negotiations have hit a standstill, and it looks unlikely he may return. With DiMaggio out, the producers will recast Bender if needed.
Fans believe Billy West should be the Bender recast
DiMaggio’s unlikely return has Futurama fans up in arms. Many fans have threatened to boycott if he doesn’t return; however, others will tune in regardless if he signs on. With a recast possibly coming, viewers have chimed in with who they’d love to see as Bender.
Most users believe West would be good as the Bender recast on a Reddit thread. “I’d actually be okay if West replaced DiMaggio (if things can’t be worked out). He’s still original cast,” wrote one fan. “Billy is the only one I could see being worthy of the role,” another commenter chimed in.
“Billy West would be fine – he’s stepped in before for other VAs that left,” another fan replied.
How many characters does he play?
West already voices four characters on Futurama. He plays Fry, a pizza delivery boy who awakens in the future after being cryogenically frozen. Aside from Fry, he also plays Professor Farnsworth, Zoidberg, and Zapp Brannigan. Whether he or someone else takes over as Bender is unknown.
However, this isn’t the first time West has replaced a co-star in an animated show. In 1993, he pulled double duty voicing both title characters on The Ren & Stimpy Show. West replaced John Kricfalusi as Ren after Nickelodeon fired him. So, could there be a similar situation for Futurama?
