The Surprising Reason Why Leo Wong's Voice Actor Was Changed in Futurama's Revival

Summary

Futurama season 11 recasts Leo Wong with Asian actor Feodor Chin, following a trend of shows avoiding white actors voicing POC characters.

Leo Wong's recasting could imply that there will be further recasting in future seasons of Futurama, potentially impacting other POC characters voiced by white actors.

Leo Wong, a recurring character in Futurama, was recast with a new voice actor for season 11. Despite not being a main character, Leo has played a significant role in various episodes and the movie Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder. Consequently, viewers noticed a slight difference in Leo's voice in season 11, episode 2.

The long-awaited return of Futurama is finally here, as season 11 is now available on Hulu. After surviving a cancellation, Matt Groening's beloved sci-fi series continues with 10 new episodes on Hulu, marking a decade since season 10. In episode 2 of season 11, the focus shifts to Amy Wong and Kif, who venture to Kif's home planet to rescue their children. Among the episode's myriad characters, Leo Wong, Amy's father, is portrayed by a fresh voice actor, adding to the excitement of the revival.

Futurama Recast Leo Wong's Original White Voice Actor With Asian Actor Feodor Chin

In Leo Wong's previous appearances, the character was voiced by Billy West, a white actor known for lending his voice to various other characters in Futurama. However, for the new episodes, the role of Leo Wong is now being taken over by Asian actor Feodor Chin. Feodor is recognized for his work in video games, such as voicing Zenyatta in Overwatch, as well as his appearances in TV shows like Regular Show and Hit-Monkey.

While there has been no official statement from Hulu or Matt Groening regarding the change in Leo Wong's voice actor, the reason behind it appears to align with the recent trend of avoiding stereotypical portrayal of characters of color by white actors. This can be seen in other shows like The Simpsons, Big Mouth, Central Park, and Family Guy, where similar recastings have occurred.

Leo Wong's Futurama Season 11 Voice Actor Change Hints At More Recasts

Leo Wong's recasting in Futurama could potentially indicate future recasting for other characters as well. The show currently includes several POC characters who are voiced by white actors, primarily as recurring side characters. While it is uncertain whether these characters will reappear in Futurama season 11, if they do, there is a high likelihood that they will be portrayed by different voice actors. Additionally, John DiMaggio, who voices Bender, also portrays two prominent black characters, Barbados Slim and "Curly Joe." Although their return has not been confirmed, Leo Wong's recasting suggests that they may also receive different voice actors if the show continues beyond season 11. Hence, it can be concluded that more recasts may be anticipated if Futurama extends its run.

New episodes of Futurama season 11 release Mondays on Hulu.