The cast of Futurama definitely wins the non-existent Comic-Con award for fan appreciation and involvement.  The panelists not only revealed a look at an upcoming episode, but treated the audience to a drawing contest between creator Matt Groening and director Steven Sandoval.  They even rewarded the fans in the audience who were dressed as Futurama characters by handing out swag and signed drawings by Groening himself.  Panelists also included Lauren Tom, Maurice LaMarche, Billy West, John DiMaggio and writers Patrick Verrone and David X. Cohen. Hit the jump for my full panel recap and be sure to keep up with all of our continuing Comic-Con coverage here.

The first trailer for the documentary I Know That Voice has gone online.  The film takes a look at the talented actors behind some of the most familiar voices in TV, film, and video games.  Yes, Movie Trailer Guy (his name is David Kaye) is there, but also included in the documentary are Futurama’s Billy West, Rocky and Bullwinkle’s June Foray, and the voice of Batman himself, Kevin Conroy.  I think voice-over work is an excellent subject for a documentary, and this trailer gives a fun look at the people behind those familiar characters.  Most interesting, perhaps, is the fact that many of them look absolutely nothing like the characters they voice.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer, and be sure to have IMDb up and running.  No release date is scheduled for the pic, but hopefully we get a look at it sooner rather than later.

If you’re a fan of science fiction, comedy, and/or womanizing robots, then you’re probably aware that the animated sci-fi comedy Futurama is back by popular demand and currently airing new episodes on Comedy Central. Today at Comic-Con, Comedy Central held a press conference for the show which is currently in its sixth season. Futurama creator Matt Groening (creator of The Simpsons) and executive producer David X. Cohen (former writer/producer for The Simpsons) as well as members of the cast including: Billy West, John DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarche, and Lauren Tom took questions from the press for about half an hour before being presented with plaques from Guinness World Records for being “The most critically acclaimed animated series currently on television.”

As to be expected, the press conference was casual, light-hearted, and filled with questions and answers about the show’s return. For your reading pleasure, I’ve generated a bulleted list of highlights from the press conference after the jump.

It has been seven years since Fox cancelled Futurama in 2003.  Thanks to solid ratings in syndication, the animated sci-fi spoof was revived for four DVD movies, which Comedy Central repurposed for a makeshift season five starting in 2008.  The network must have been happy with the results, as they ordered a whopping twenty-six new episodes.  Hit the jump for a review of the first two, “Rebirth” and “In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela,” which premiere on June 24th at 10/9c.

It looks like “Futurama” will be coming back to television with its voice talent intact.  Fox has reached a deal with “Futurama” regulars Billy West, Katey Sagal, Tress MacNeille , John DiMaggio and Maurice LaMarche that will keep the gang at Planet Express cracking wise for at least 26 episodes.  More after the jump…

In news that has sent the interwebs into a frenzy, Forces of Geek and The Hollywood Reporter are saying that Fox has retreated to their usual douchy-selves and will be recasting the voice actors of “Futurama” because Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, and Maurice LaMarche.  It’s kind of surprising since they were all scheduled to appear at the “Futurama” panel at Comic-Con with show producers Matt Groening and David X. Cohen.  Hit the jump for more on this story.