Toon Zone Talkback - TZ @ SDCC: "Futurama" DTV Notes

[William C. Maune]

This is the talkback thread for TZ @ SDCC: "Futurama" DTV Notes (http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=18331).

Information about the upcoming Futurama DTVs was discussed at the Futurama panel at San Diego Comic-Con.

[Space Cadet]

Nice to see the content pushed a little bit more. Too bad the live orchestra and some of the writers had to be eliminated.

Is Comedy Central still splitting the DTV's into episodes?

[Kuroba]

Sounds exciting. It's unfortunate the orchestra had to be cut; Futurama has some nice music. But I'm excited nonetheless. :anime:

[William C. Maune]

Now that the panel has ended, more information has been added to the article.

[Kuroba]

The new info was that the veteran writers are still working on the series? That's good, I hope the new movies will retain Futurama's old charm.

[Moto Pete]

Nice to see the content pushed a little bit more. Too bad the live orchestra and some of the writers had to be eliminated.

Is Comedy Central still splitting the DTV's into episodes?



The crew is working on 60 new episodes of Futurama, which will be done in widescreen.

---from the Simpsons Comic Con Panel

[Gokou Ruri]

The crew is working on 60 new episodes of Futurama, which will be done in widescreen.

---from the Simpsons Comic Con Panel 60? *Dies from happiness*

[Space Cadet]

60? *Dies from happiness*

I'm so happy that there are more episodes to be made.

...just wish they were airing on the network that made it possible for this to happen.:sad:

[Emperor Fred]

That sounds too good to be true!

Anyway, Futurama can easily fall back on its already-established library of music cues. We just won't be hearing anything original or situation-specific anymore.

It's worth it just to have the series continue - as long the writers maintain its prior quality.

[Pepperidge]

I'm willing to bet that whoever said they were working on "60" episodes misheard "16" at the panel.

Seriously, I don't want to see them drag the series out. Just do the four movies and finish it. The last thing i want to see is Futurama end up like Family Guy.

[William C. Maune]

This sounds too good to be true to me as well. If they were making 60 episodes they would have mentioned it at the Futurama panel, and they didn't. Plus, that would be an unheard of number of episodes to put into production for a show like Futurama.

[livingfruitvirus]

The crew is working on 60 new episodes of Futurama, which will be done in widescreen.

---from the Simpsons Comic Con Panel

Are you sure? They mentioned nothing of the sort at the Futurama panel. They said that there will be 16 episodes broken up from the four movies.

[Moto Pete]

http://tv.ign.com/articles/808/808965p1.html

[Desensitized]

SURELY, they meant 16 new episodes. 60 is a bit nuts.

By the way, here are the movie titles, for those who don't know:

Bender's Big Score
The Beast with a Billion Backs
Bender's Game
Into the Wild Green Yonder

[Neo Ultra Mike]

Hmmm, guess that means Two of the DTVs are Bender focused. Which makes sense since he did become the most popular Futurama character. Hope that the other two are Fry focused and Leela focused or (doubtful) secondyary character focused. I'm sure part of one will be Zoidberg focused, which is good.

[Kuroba]

Here's some more information I found on Bender's Big Score.

"Futurama: Bender's Big Score" will be released Nov. 27 directly to DVD. It's the first full-length "Futurama" feature based on the TV series; three more films will be released individually through 2008, all with the original creative team and voice cast on board.
The plot centers on the "Futurama" crew fighting to save Earth in an epic battle against nudist alien Internet scammers. Bender the robot soon comes under the alien's spell and is sent back in time to loot the Earth of its greatest treasures; at one point he runs into Al Gore, who guest stars as himself, during the 2000 presidential recount. Other guest stars include Coolio and Sarah Silverman.

From the (more detailed) notes I read about BBS, the movie sounds really interesting. Would any of you like me to share them (I'd need to get permission from the person who took the notes first though)?

[Peter Paltridge]

Ohhhhh, IGN said 60. THERE'S your problem--get a better journalistic source.

[William C. Maune]

Like Toon Zone News! (shameless plug)

[John Pannozzi]

Here's an ad for the movie (with a code to preorder it;)):
http://img461.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ad01io5.png

More info on the movies (including a special mini-comic given at Comicon):
http://www.peelified.com/cgi-bin/Futurama/1-005254-1/

Here's a clip from the trailer:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6544928346321017473&q=futurama+movie&total=333&start=0&num=10&so=1&type=search&plindex=1

[Kuroba]

Here's the table read for the Futurama comic they were handing out at Comic-con, it's really hilarious.
Futurama Panel at Comic-con 2007 (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3130853786517619303&q=futurama+panel&total=3&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0)

[Desensitized]

That panel was hilarious, I hope the movies are at least as funny as that.

I still don't think it's 60 episodes, though.

[Kuroba]

It's not. It's only 16 episodes. IGN made a mistake.

More Panel Stuff (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCCjrVsP18I)
More Panel Stuff Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAX8c4fTgcU)
MPS 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YdBWapN9nI)
MPS 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKSLfNfrH3Q)

[Desensitized]

I figured as much. Thanks for the links!

[livingfruitvirus]

Phil Hendrie is also returning as Frieda Waterfall, the granddaughter of Old Man Waterfall.

[Moto Pete]

i'm sorry i thought 60 was ALOT also but that is what i found

[Joe]

Man, I'm still surprised this is actually happening. Its been 4 long years since the last episode aired and I hadn't really held my breath for its return. Judging by the short clip, there's a good chance these direct to video releases will be up to snuff.

[Kryten]

Phil Hendrie is also returning as Frieda Waterfall, the granddaughter of Old Man Waterfall.

Any guesses as to how they kill her off and who will swear to avenge her?

[Kuroba]

I figured as much. Thanks for the links!
No problem.

Here's more links to feast on:
More Panel Stuff 5 (continuation of 4) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3sB4h4lBgE)(I love how they're making fun of the constant reruns of CN XD)
MPS 6 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPYx_48Skvs)
MPS 7 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0k3CxPwKiE) The Futurama seemed like it was so much fun. I wish I went, but I'm glad I get to watch it at least.

[livingfruitvirus]

Any guesses as to how they kill her off and who will swear to avenge her?

There is a character named Free Waterfall III who has appeared in the comics.

[Kuroba]

Here are the extras that will be on the DVD (though they may be subject to change):

- Commentary on all four episodes by David X Cohen, Matt Groening and others TBD
- In-Character commentary on selected episodes
- Global warning movie promo with Bender
- Animatics/Storyboards/Pencil Tests
- Making of Futurama
- Character design/Evolution of new characters
- Deleted storyboards/scenes
- Hypno Toad - never before seen episode with intro by David and Matt
- Characters Reading Fan Mail
- Auido outtakes/bloopers
- Futurama Teacher featurette
- Comicon panelGreat extras, if I do say so myself.

[Peter Paltridge]

Here are the extras that will be on the DVD (though they may be subject to change):

- Commentary on all four episodes by David X Cohen, Matt Groening and others TBD
- In-Character commentary on selected episodes
- Global warning movie promo with Bender
- Animatics/Storyboards/Pencil Tests
- Making of Futurama
- Character design/Evolution of new characters
- Deleted storyboards/scenes
- Hypno Toad - never before seen episode with intro by David and Matt
- Characters Reading Fan Mail
- Auido outtakes/bloopers
- Futurama Teacher featurette
- Comicon panelGreat extras, if I do say so myself.
The Comicon panel WILL be on the DVD? Awesome; I just saved the YouTube videos above thinking it was the only place I would see it! That's a great panel. Maybe it'll be edited for time, though.

[Treadwell]

Futurama can easily fall back on its already-established library of music cues.

Ya can't do that anymore. Union rules.

[Emperor Fred]

Even if they have to pay some royalties, they can still use them. And it's still cheaper than creating all-new music.

[Kuroba]

At the panel, they said something like that a synthesizer will be used to make the exact same music. Or something, I need to read up on it.

[TheFZAtUGSOnline]

Here are the extras that will be on the DVD (though they may be subject to change):
- Commentary on all four episodes by David X Cohen, Matt Groening and others TBD
- In-Character commentary on selected episodes
- Global warning movie promo with Bender
- Animatics/Storyboards/Pencil Tests
- Making of Futurama
- Character design/Evolution of new characters
- Deleted storyboards/scenes
- Hypno Toad - never before seen episode with intro by David and Matt
- Characters Reading Fan Mail
- Auido outtakes/bloopers
- Futurama Teacher featurette
- Comicon panelGreat extras, if I do say so myself.


On the HT eppy: Hypno Toad eppy? im guessing its the episode with "BZZZZZ" for the entire 20 minutes...
On Global Warming PSA: I might say, the global warming promo might help with PSA announcments...
On Outtakes: Can't wait for the mistakes... The extras look very promising...

[Kuroba]

On Global Warming PSA: I might say, the global warming promo might help with PSA announcments...

I think the global warming promo might be this: A Terrifying Message from Al Gore (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BjrOi4vF24)

[HellCat]

Like the table read. Nice that at the same time as taking a dig at FOX for killing it, they also take a dig at AS for the endless re-runs.

[CartoonSage]

Oh god, it's so good to see the show back, orchistrated music or not (although a peice of me died when I heard about it).

[Kuroba]

Here's a little more detailed plot synopsis:
As Xmas 3007 approaches, the “Futurama” crew must fight to save Earth in an epic battle against nudist alien Internet scammers.

When the evil naked aliens launch a cyber-attack on Planet Express, they make a shocking discovery: the secret of time travel, mysteriously tattooed on Fry's buttocks. Using their devious nudist software to control Bender, they repeatedly send the beer-fueled robot back in time to loot Earth of its greatest treasures. Bender's rampage through history has shocking repercussions when he encounters Al Gore (guest-starring as himself) during the 2000 Presidential recount. Meanwhile, Leela finds true love, a beloved crew member suffers an embarrassing decapitation, and Fry learns deep secrets about his destiny and his buttocks.

Al Gore, Coolio and Sarah Silverman guest star.

Supposedly, Tom Kenny will be having a cameo in this movie, probably as Fry's brother Yancy.

So, I'm guessing Fry spent 5 years in the future in the original run of the series. So this takes place, 2 years after.

[The Clown Prince]

OK, so to clarify. The 4 DTV movies we're getting, will then be broken up and aired on Comedy Central next fall? Is that right? Sort of like the Family Guy movie? Released on video, then broken up to air on TV later? Exciting we're getting new Futurama content, disappointed that it stops at 4 movies/16 episodes unless it does well for Comedy Central and then they order more.

The Clown Prince

[Desensitized]

OK, so to clarify. The 4 DTV movies we're getting, will then be broken up and aired on Comedy Central next fall? Is that right? Sort of like the Family Guy movie? Released on video, then broken up to air on TV later? Exciting we're getting new Futurama content, disappointed that it stops at 4 movies/16 episodes unless it does well for Comedy Central and then they order more.

The Clown Prince
Yes, the only problem is we might have to wait ANOTHER 4 years after these movies if they decide to make more.

I don't want to have to wait that long.

[Kuroba]

Yes, the only problem is we might have to wait ANOTHER 4 years after these movies if they decide to make more.

I don't want to have to wait that long.
We do? Why?

[Lavenderpaw]

Futurama rules!

[Kuroba]

Futurama rules!
Indeed.

[Desensitized]

We do? Why?
That's how long it took for us to actually get the movies since they were announced. If we have to wait for a full season, who knows how long that might take.

[Kuroba]

Let's see the first one is coming out this year, the others in 2008...
You're right, it really did take 4 years. Maybe not for production but to actually initiate the project. If Futurama's return does well in '08, wouldn't it be a little faster this time? Futurama would not be in hiatus for as long.