Futurama's John DiMaggio Reflects on Reboot Salary Controversy Amidst Hollywood Strikes: An Insider's Take

Summary

In an interview with Variety, DiMaggio shared, "As the David with a sling standing up to Goliath, I did what I could to ensure my side was heard. I believe I achieved that."

The current strikes are aimed at ensuring fair compensation for actors and writers, thus preserving the industry's sustainability. Futurama's John DiMaggio reflects on his salary dispute during the ongoing Hollywood strikes. In February 2022, it was announced that Futurama would be returning, with another revival planned for Hulu. At the time, it was reported that DiMaggio, the voice of Bender, was still in negotiations to reprise his role. DiMaggio expressed his belief that the entire cast should receive higher pay, citing his exhaustion with an industry that has become excessively corporate and takes advantage of artists' time and talent.

In an interview with Variety, DiMaggio, who later reprised his role as Bender in the eighth season revival of Hulu's Futurama, discussed the dispute that occurred prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike. The actor provided some background on the situation, explaining that negotiations had reached a standstill. DiMaggio also revealed what the outcome would have been if he hadn't agreed to return, stating, "When the announcement was made, it wasn't because I had declined. We had been in prolonged negotiations that had reached an impasse."

"I had no desire to be standing outside a house where I should have been enjoying Thanksgiving dinner, and neither did my agent. It was clear that I had to agree, as I did not want the show's downfall to be attributed to me. They were prepared to replace me with others, and there was no avoiding that fact.

"When you find yourself in the position of David facing Goliath, you do everything possible to make your voice heard. And I believe I succeeded in doing just that."

Bendergate Partially Explains The Current Strikes

Dubbed as Bendergate, DiMaggio later addressed these events and agreed to return in March 2022. Although he didn't receive a raise, the actor emphasized that he gained a significant amount of respect. In a recent interview, DiMaggio hinted that if he didn't come back, a different voice actor would be chosen for each episode of Bender.

These events shed light on a crucial aspect at the heart of both the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Creators are seeking fair compensation for their contributions to the immensely popular works they help bring to life. This equitable compensation would entail receiving streaming residuals, a major concern for both actors and writers, as well as a raise in minimums to keep pace with inflation.

On the flip side, studios and streamers have demonstrated hesitance when it comes to adapting payment terms to align with the evolving streaming industry, as evidenced by DiMaggio's story. The recent successful revival of Futurama serves as a reminder that it is the voice actors, animators, writers, and entire crew who have consistently made the show a must-watch, despite its intermittent run. The ongoing strikes seek to ensure that this work continues to be a viable and adequately compensated endeavor.