Futurama wouldn’t die. The show had an infamous roller coaster run which lasted six full seasons** and four full-length movies, all of which aired on two different networks spanning almost 15 years. The series was canceled and brought back from the dead. It had concluded multiple times.
There was no reason Futurama should have finished as strongly as it did, but even with a slight decline in quality following its rebirth, it was still one of the best shows on TV.
** You could argue the show lasted 10 seasons if you include the movies and combine the two-part seasons six and seven.
It’s easy to see why people loved Futurama, it had a wealth of great characters and took place in an entirely original universe. Unsurprisingly, cast members have suggested that the series could come back. In this week’s awful ideas, I have a similar suggestion, only I want to bring the series back as a live-action film. Yes, I know — the voice cast is iconic and can never be replaced. But here’s who I would cast in a live-action Futurama movie.
Phillip J. Fry – Pre-abs Chris Pratt
(Image via NBC)
Chris Pratt has proven on Parks and Recreation as Andy Dwyer that he can play the lovable dimwit, and that’s exactly what Fry is. Fry is sweet and naive, but also an extremely poor decision maker — like the time he used a $300 tax rebate to buy and drink 100 cups of coffee in one day. I have little doubt Pratt could capture the charm which Fry has, while also doing the boneheaded things he does. Imagine how awesome it would be to see Pratt delivering classic lines such as “No I’m doesn’t,” and “Don’t you worry about Planet Express, let me worry about blank.”
Turanga Leela – Emily Blunt
(Image via Latino Review)
Leela is a confident, ass-kicking, no-nonsense mutant who is the captain of The Planet Express. Blunt proved in Edge of Tomorrow that she can be a leader and kick some serious butt. Lee is strong willed and independent, but also has insecurities, and Blunt has certainly has the acting chops to pull that off. While she’s primarily a dramatic actress, Blunt has shown she can take on more comedic roles such as The Five-Year Engagement and Sunshine Cleaning. She could capture both sides of Leela.
Bender – John DiMaggio / John A. Zoidberg – Billy West
(Image via Clarence Wikia)
I’m not going to touch this one. DiMaggio is one the most gifted voice actors of all time, and having him reprise his role would be a no-brainer. Same goes for Billy West. In this live-action film, using CGI for Bender and Zoidberg would be the best course of action. Would DiMaggio and West reprise their roles without the rest of the voice cast being involved? Probably not, but that’s what makes this an awful idea.
Professor Farnsworth – John Lithgow
(Image via Zimbio)
Now I think Buzzfeed nailed it when they suggested Larry King looks like the Professor, but he’s not an actor, so I’m not considering him for this part. Lithgow is a gifted actor — an Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award winner — who has shown considerable versatility and range. He’s no stranger to science fiction roles, from 3rd Rock from the Sun, 2010, and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. He would have no problem playing the senile, mad-scientist role that is Professor Farnsworth. He would kill it.
Hermes Conrad – Jordan Peele
(Image via Zimbio)
Jordan Peele is one of the funniest people on earth. He plays a bevy of hilarious characters on his sketch show Key & Peele and did a great job providing comic relief — with a touch of dramatic — in Fargo. Hermes is a bureaucrat who is a stickler for doing things the proper way. Peele would bring the same bizarre energy that Hermes has. It’s easy to imagine him in a spandex suit, limboing against Barbados Slim.
Amy Wong – Constance Wu
(Image via Time Magazine)
Constance Wu is by far the best part of the new ABC comedy Fresh Off The Boat. In that role, she plays a strict, frugal mother who doesn’t like to waste anything. She’s truly hilarious. Amy Wong is klutzy, spoiled and likes to party — almost the opposite of Wu’s Fresh Off The Boat character. It’s easier to imagine Wu playing Amy’s mom, however. With Wu’s talents, I think she would knock it out of the park.
Other characters:
Zapp Brannigan – Nathan Fillion
Kif Kroker – Charles Baker
Mom – Glenn Close
Scruffy – Sam Elliott
