Mind-Blowing Casting Choices for a Live-Action Futurama Remake: Who Should Play the Beloved Characters?

While it's unlikely that Futurama will ever be adapted into a live-action series, there are certainly a number of talented actors who would be well-suited to portray the show's vibrant characters on screen. Adapting animated cartoons into live-action can be extremely challenging, as what may be hilarious or visually captivating in animation can come across as silly, cheap, or just plain strange in live-action. Additionally, scenes that are easily animated can be exceptionally difficult to recreate in real life. As a result, most animated sitcoms that air during primetime have never been remade in live-action. It's a shame though, because some of them have the perfect cast readily available to bring them to life on screen.

While The Simpsons would not be suitable for a live-action adaptation due to various reasons, a live-action version of co-creator Matt Groening's later sci-fi series Futurama may have more potential. Unlike The Simpsons, Futurama is set in a sci-fi universe, which would make its unique visual style feel less unsettling. Additionally, Futurama has already produced several spinoff movies, whereas The Simpsons only had one theatrical spinoff. This demonstrates that the show is more open to expanding its horizons compared to its long-running predecessor. Perhaps most importantly, Futurama possesses the ideal cast for a potential live-action adaptation.

12 Calculon - Adam Devine

Futurama’s Calculon outshines Zapp Brannigan in terms of confidence and charisma, posing a challenge for the series to cast the perfect actor who can transform this supporting character into a source of humor rather than irritation. Yet, over the years, Adam Devine has proven his knack for portraying self-important, clueless, and arrogant supporting roles with comedic brilliance. Thus, he would be an excellent choice. If Devine were to be selected for the role, Calculon could play a significant part in Futurama’s live-action adaptation, as evidenced by his return in the first episode of the show's season 11 revival.

11 Mom - Rachael Harris

Futurama's deceptive corporate mogul Mom is the series' primary antagonist and could pose a challenge to cast. Fortunately, Rachael Harris, known for her adeptness in portraying seemingly kind female characters who ultimately reveal their true bitter, calculating, or downright cruel nature, would be an ideal fit for the role of Mom. With her notable roles in The Hangover, New Girl, and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies, Harris has consistently proven her suitability for the character of Mom.

10 Scruffy - Mark Duplass

9 Zapp - Sam Rockwell

Although Scruffy the janitor is the only employee at Planet Express who isn't part of the main Futurama cast, he still manages to sprinkle in a punchline here and there, even in season 11 of the show's revival. Mark Duplass, the indie movie legend, has truly mastered the deadpan delivery that Scruffy's character demands, making him the perfect choice for the role in a live-action adaptation of Futurama.

Portraying the character of Zapp Brannigan is no easy task, as Leela's arrogant and would-be love interest can come across as intensely unlikable. However, the actor taking on this role must capture the comically delusional perspective of the character. Thankfully, Sam Rockwell's performances in animated projects have shown that he would be the perfect fit for the egotistical Zapp. Rockwell has already showcased his talent for playing similar anti-villain characters in movies like Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Vice. Additionally, his roles in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Galaxy Quest have demonstrated his knack for sci-fi comedy.

8 Kif - Chris Parnell

Chris Parnell in Saturday Night Live Spelling Bee

7 Hermes - Brian Tyree Henry

Renowned for his portrayal of Rick and Morty’s Jerry, comedic actor Chris Parnell possesses an extensive repertoire of bringing surprisingly sympathetic pushover characters to life. Given his unparalleled experience in playing such roles, Parnell emerges as the perfect choice to embody Amy’s unlikely paramour, Kif. Furthermore, his commendable performance on 30 Rock exemplifies his aptitude for delivering exceptional live-action comedic performances.

Brian Tyree Henry, known for his role in Atlanta, showcases his talent for goofily timed comedy as he takes on the character of Hermes Conrad. Despite often being cast in serious and understated roles, Henry proves his ability to bring out the humor in the character. While the revival of Futurama's 11th season has not yet provided Hermes with many opportunities, Henry's performances in the films Bullet Train and the 2019 remake of Child's Play demonstrate his knack for extracting laughter from the role.

6 Amy - Karen Fukuhara

5 Zoidberg - Walton Goggins

Karen Fukuhara has primarily portrayed stern, silent, and self-serious characters in her screen roles. However, her appearance in Bullet Train showcased her ability to also embody a lively heroine like Amy from Futurama. By taking on the role of Amy, Fukuhara not only exhibits versatility as an actress but also opens doors for her to explore more vibrant and less harsh characters in future projects, revealing a new facet of her talent to audiences.

Zoidberg, the eccentric character of Futurama, presents a casting challenge for a live-action version. His peculiar nature demands an actor with a flair for unconventional and daring comedic roles, making Walton Goggins the perfect fit. While he has tackled numerous serious parts, Goggins has demonstrated his impressive ability to bring live-action cartoon characters to life in projects like The Righteous Gemstones and I'm A Virgo. Consequently, he is exceptionally well-suited for an adaptation of Futurama.

4 Farnsworth - Christopher Lloyd

3 Leela - Kat Dennings

Christopher Lloyd, the seasoned actor, finds an uncanny harmony with the eccentric Farnsworth, the mad scientist. It is worth noting that his portrayal of Doc Brown in Back to the Future perhaps laid the groundwork for this character. A preview for a live-action adaptation of Rick and Morty has already enlisted Lloyd as the resident brilliant yet troubled mind, which only confirms his impeccable suitability for Farnsworth. With his offbeat delivery and captivating persona, Lloyd surpasses any existing expectations for the role. Unlike the multifaceted Rick, Farnsworth solely exists to amuse and entertain through comedy.

Kat Dennings, known for her role in 2 Broke Girls, has consistently showcased her ability to effortlessly blend romance with sarcastic wit. This makes her the perfect candidate to portray the character of Leela in a live-action adaptation of Futurama. Dennings' recent appearances in Dollface and WandaVision have further highlighted her talent in seamlessly merging self-referential genre-driven narratives with the humor found in traditional sitcoms.

2 Fry - Rupert Grint

Fry, the bumbling yet well-intentioned protagonist of Futurama, poses a challenge when it comes to casting for a live-action adaptation. However, former child actor Rupert Grint has proven his talent in portraying endearingly clueless slackers, making him an ideal choice for the role. The underwhelming episodes of the Futurama revival demonstrated the potential benefits of a change in format, and Grint's performances in comedic projects like Sick Note and Snatch further showcase his suitability for the role of Fry in a live-action version.

1 Bender - Jason Sudeikis

Having portrayed the charming and optimistic Ted Lasso for several years, veteran comedian Jason Sudeikis should consider a change of pace by embracing the role of Futurama's cunning and unscrupulous antihero, Bender. With his talent for embodying a series of shady characters earlier in his career, Sudeikis possesses the ideal background for bringing Bender to life. Although not all of the guest stars from the original series may reprise their roles in an adaptation following the season 11 revival, Sudeikis has the potential to imbue the show's most iconic robot with a completely fresh persona.