'Futurama' voice actors agree to deals

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- The creators of the U.S. TV series "Futurama" say they are thrilled the animated show's five original voice actors have agreed to stay on.

"Futurama" creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen praised the new deals reached by 20th Century Fox TV and series cast members John DiMaggio, Billy West, Katey Sagal, Maurice LaMarche and Tress MacNeille, Variety reported Friday.

"We are thrilled to have our incredible cast back," Groening and Cohen said in a statement. "The call has already gone out to the animators to put the mouths back on the characters."

The new deals for the comedy's five voice actors come after 20th Century decided to resurrect the canceled animated series for 26 new episodes.

The new episodes of "Futurama," which originally aired from 1999 to 2003, are to air in mid-2010 on Comedy Central.

Variety said the contracts were reached after the two sides ironed out salary issues. Details were not reported.