American comedy TV series
Future Man is an American comedy television series created by Howard Overman, Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir that premiered on November 14, 2017 on Hulu. The series follows an underachieving janitor who is called upon to save the world. It stars Josh Hutcherson, Eliza Coupe, Derek Wilson, Ed Begley Jr., Glenne Headly, Seth Rogen and Haley Joel Osment in recurring roles and is executive produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. A third and final season was released on April 3, 2020. It was later removed from all Disney streaming services including Hulu and Disney+ in May 2023 due to Disney's budget cuts.[1]
Premise
An aimless janitor, Josh Futterman, leads a nondescript life. Josh's sole hobby is playing video games, specifically, Biotic Wars, a game considered unbeatable. After finally completing the game after many attempts the game's two main characters, Tiger and Wolf, suddenly appear and recruit Josh to save the world from the real Biotic Wars. Josh and his companions travel through time to change the future.
Cast and characters
Main
- Josh Hutcherson as Josh Futterman, a gormless young man who works at a high-level medical research facility as a janitor, still living with his parents and the only person in existence to finish Biotic Wars, which prompts life-travelling soldiers from the future to appear and hail him as the saviour, Future Man, recruiting Josh for their war.
- Eliza Coupe as Tiger/Ty-Anne. Tiger is the commander of a rebel unit from the distant future who travels back in time to recruit Josh into aiding their mission to prevent a deadly war from occurring. Ty-Anne is an alternate timeline version of Tiger created by the events that unfurled after Tiger, Josh and Wolf were ultimately successful in their original mission by stopping Kronish's cure from being made public.
- Derek Wilson as Wolf/Torque. Wolf is the sole surviving member of Tiger's unit from the future, who joins her in attempting to recruit Josh. Like Ty-Anne, Torque is an alternate timeline version of Wolf created by events after Kronish's eventual defeat.
- Ed Begley, Jr. as Gabe Futturman (season 1), Josh's loving father.
- Glenne Headly as Diane Futturman (season 1), Josh's over protective mother.
- Keith David as Doctor Elias Kronish (season 1), a scientist whose contraction of herpes at a young age spurs him on a lifelong search for a cure, which leads to a super panacea for all diseases that is responsible for the eventual creation of the Biotics.
- Haley Joel Osment as Doctor Stu Camillo, a scientist initially working for Dr Kronish, who goes on to create the Bio-techs after Kronish's plan for a super cure has been stopped by Josh.
- Seth Rogen as Susan Saint Jackalope (season 3; guest season 2), the presenter of "The DieCathalon", a The Running Man-inspired death game, which collects people from time to hunt for fun.
Recurring
- Robert Craighead as Vincent Skarsgaard (season 1; guest season 2), a seasoned police officer pursuing Tiger and Wolf linearly across decades for the murder of his partner when he was a rookie cop.
- Britt Lower as Jeri Elizabeth Lang/Jeri (season 1; guest season 2), a time-travelling Biotic sent back to monitor and intervene at Kronish's lab. Jeri is a Bio-tech and member of the resistance to Stu Carmillo
- Kevin Caliber as Blaze (season 1)
- Paul Scheer as Paul, a friend and then employee of Josh's. (season 1; guest season 2)
- Awkwafina as Tracy, a friend and then employee of Josh's (season 1)
- Katherine LaNasa as Athena/Dr Hogeveen (season 2), the founder of the Resistance, assistant to Stu and nanny of Ty-Anne.
- Artemis Pebdani as Doctor Mina Ahmadi (season 2), an AI aspect of Stu who serves as his therapist.
- Ricky Mabe as Pump (season 2)
- Shaun Brown as Hatchet (season 2)
- Sara Amini as Thimble (season 2)
- Rati Gupta as Rake (season 2)
- Tim Johnson Jr. as Jimmy (season 2)
- Jade Catta-Preta as Level (season 2)
- Timothy Hornor as Lathe (season 2)
- Kimberly Hébert Gregory as Mathers (season 3), a single-minded bureaucrat hunting Wolf, Tiger, and Josh on behalf of the network.
- Fajer Al-Kaisi as Bin Laden (season 3), an atheist version of the real-life terrorist from an alternate reality where he was prevented from becoming one.
- Nick Wyman as Abraham Lincoln (season 3), a resident of Haven and former President of the United States rescued from death by Josh.
- Laurent Pitre as Big Time (season 3), a college student and accidental creator of time travel, Haven and the Big Suck.
Guest
- Ron Funches as Ray ("Pilot")
- Martin Starr as Lyle Karofsky ("A Fuel's Errand")
- David Koechner as Barry Futturman ("A Blowjob Before Dying")
- Carolyn Hennesy as Wanda ("A Blowjob Before Dying")
- Megan Hayes as the voice of SIGORN-E ("Pandora's Mailbox")
- Charlie McDermott as young Barry Futturman ("Operation: Natal Attraction")
- Diona Reasonover as Estelle Kronish (seasons 1–2; "Beyond the TruffleDome" and "The Last Horchata")
- Corey Hart as himself ("Prelude to an Apocalypse")
- Carla Gallo as Dingo ("A Date with Destiny")
- Jon Daly as Owl ("A Date with Destiny")
- Will Forte as the voice of CASSIN-E ("The i of the Tiger")
- Kristen Schaal as Screw ("Guess Who's Coming to Lunch")
- Kurtwood Smith as Supreme Overlord General Vise Myrmbeater ("The Binx Ultimatum")
- Laura Baranik as Dasha Ovechkin ("There Will Be Borscht")
- Ami Bejko as Anne Frank ("Haven Is for Real"), a resident of Haven and Jewish teenager saved from Nazis by J1.
- Chala Hunter as Amelia Earhart ("The Land After Time"), a resident of Haven and former pilot rescued from death by J1, and a love interest of Josh's.
- Chris Mark as Bruce Lee ("The Land After Time"), a resident of Haven and former martial artist and actor rescued from death by J1, and a love interest of Josh's.
- Nicolas Grimes as The Killing Machine (season 3), a cyborg clone of the 300 Spartans hunting Wolf, Tiger, and Josh.
Episodes
Season 1 (2017)
Season 2 (2019)
Season 3 (2020)
Production
Development
On September 9, 2016, it was announced that Hulu had ordered the production to series after reviewing the recently produced pilot. The series order was reported to be for a first season consisting of thirteen episodes. The pilot was written by Ariel Shaffir and Kyle Hunter from a story by the duo and Howard Overman and was directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The series' executive producers include Shaffir, Hunter, Rogen, Goldberg and James Weaver.[2][3][4] On January 8, 2018, it was announced that Hulu had renewed the series for a second season consisting of thirteen episodes.[5][6] On October 1, 2018, it was announced that the second season would premiere on January 11, 2019.[7] On April 9, 2019, it was reported that Hulu renewed the series for a third and final season which premiered on April 3, 2020.[8][9]
Casting
On February 17, 2016, it was announced that Josh Hutcherson had been cast in the television pilot's lead role.[10] A week later, it was reported that Eliza Coupe had also been cast in a main role.[11] On March 7, 2016, it was announced that Glenne Headly and Ed Begley Jr. had joined the main cast as Hutcherson's character's parents.[12] On May 2, 2016, Derek Wilson joined the production in a main role.[13] In April 2017, it was reported that Patrick Carlyle and Robert Craighead had been cast in recurring roles.[14][15]
On June 28, 2018, it was announced that Shaun Brown had joined the cast in a recurring capacity.[16] On July 17, 2018, it was reported that Sara Amini and Rati Gupta had been cast in recurring roles.[17] In August 2018, it was announced that Tim Johnson Jr., Jade Catta-Preta, and Timothy Hornor had also been cast in recurring roles.[18][19]
Filming
On June 8, 2017, cast member Glenne Headly died after she filmed five episodes of the planned 13-episode season order. Producers stated that she would not be recast and that the episodes she filmed will air, leaving the writers with the need to rework the episodes she was due to feature in.[20]
Release
In the US Future Man streams on Hulu. As of 2022, Future Man was available to stream on Disney+ internationally in selected territories via the Star hub, as a part of the 2021 Disney/Sony deal which covers shows from Sony Pictures Television.[21] All 3 seasons Future Man were later removed from Hulu, Disney+ and Star+ due to Disney's budget cuts.[22]
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, season 1 has an approval rating of 82% based on 39 reviews, with an average rating of 7.08 out of 10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Future Man's nostalgia-driven premise is elevated by the cast's compelling chemistry and a sense of humor just dumb enough to lighten the sci-fi load."[23] On Metacritic season 1 has a weighted average score of 70 out of 100 based on reviews from 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[24]
Alex McLevy of The A.V. Club praises the committed performances, the "gleefully ludicrous nonsense", and that "If it figures out the proper tone and blend of stupid-smart jokes with its game cast, the series could potentially travel forward to a time when it becomes a great sci-fi comedy."[25]
On Rotten Tomatoes, season 2 has an approval rating of 100% based on 9 reviews, with an average rating of 8.03 out of 10.[26][27]Adam Chitwood of Collider wrote: "Future Man's strength as a series has been the writers' willingness to take the sci-fi seriously, and indeed there are times when you almost want the joke to be done so you can find out what happens next in the story."[28]
On Rotten Tomatoes, season 3 has 3 positive reviews.[29][30]Alex McLevy of The A.V. Club wrote: "Future Man finds a decent denouement to close out its triptych of seasons, and those who enjoyed past installments won’t be let down by this one. If only all that traveling through space and time could have found a more richly developed series."[31]Adam Chitwood of Collider called it "A little disappointing but not inessential" and that although it will not convince those who never got into the show to check it out, it should satisfy fans of the series.[32]
Awards and nominations
In 2018, Future Man was nominated[33][34] for Best New Media Superhero Series at the 44th Saturn Awards.
Home media
See also
References
- ^ "Over 100 Original Titles Removed Globally from Disney+ / Hulu / Star+".
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 9, 2016). "Hulu Picks Up Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg Comedy 'Future Man' To Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (September 9, 2016). "'Future Man,' From Seth Rogen and Starring Josh Hutcherson, Ordered to Series at Hulu". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ Prudom, Laura (September 9, 2016). "Josh Hutcherson Comedy 'Future Man' Gets Series Pickup at Hulu". Variety. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ Goldberg, Leslie (January 8, 2018). "'Runaways,' 'Future Man' Score Second Season Renewals at Hulu". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 8, 2018). "'Marvel's Runaways' & 'Future Man' Renewed By Hulu For Season 2". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- ^ Lenker, Maureen Lee (October 1, 2018). "See the first photos from season 2 of 'Future Man'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 9, 2019). "'Future Man' Renewed For Third & Final Season By Hulu". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Final Season of Hulu Original "Future Man" Premieres April 3rd". The Futon Critic. February 27, 2020.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 17, 2016). "Josh Hutcherson To Headline 'Future Man' Hulu Comedy Pilot From Seth Rogen". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 24, 2016). "Eliza Coupe To Co-Star In Hulu Pilot 'Future Man'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (March 7, 2016). "Glenne Headly & Ed Begley Jr. To Play Lead Roles In Hulu Pilot 'Future Man'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 2, 2016). "'Future Man': Derek Wilson Cast In Hulu Comedy Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (April 5, 2017). "Patrick Carlyle Joins Hulu's 'Future Man'; Ryan Dorsey In Showtime's 'Ray Donovan'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (April 25, 2017). "Aasif Mandvi Getting 'Younger'; Robert Craighead Joins 'Future Man'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (June 28, 2018). "Shaun Brown Joins 'Future Man'; Michael Galante In 'Good Trouble'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (July 17, 2018). "'Teachers' Adds Adam Korson To Roster; Sara Amini & Rati Gupta Join 'Future Man'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (August 20, 2018). "'Future Man': Tim Johnson Jr. & Jade Catta-Preta To Recur In Hulu Comedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (August 23, 2018). "'Shameless' Casts Rebecca Field; Timothy Hornor Joins 'Future Man'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 9, 2017). "Glenne Headly: Hulu's 'Future Man' Won't Recast Her Role As Colleagues On the Show Mourn Her Loss". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ "Watch Future Man | Full episodes | Disney+".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Over 100 Original Titles Removed Globally from Disney+ / Hulu / Star+".
- ^ "Future Man: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ "Future Man: Season 1". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ Alex McLevy (Nov 14, 2017). "Hulu comedy Future Man would be right at home on Adult Swim, semen jokes and all". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- ^ "Future Man: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ "Future Man: Season 2". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ Adam Chitwood (11 January 2019). "'Future Man' Season 2 Review: A Sci-Fi Comedy Triumph". Collider. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- ^ "Future Man: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ "Future Man: Season 3". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ Alex McLevy (Mar 27, 2020). "Future Man does the time warp again for its third and final season". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- ^ Adam Chitwood (3 April 2020). "'Future Man' Comes to an Uneven Yet Fittingly Weird End in Season 3 | Review". Collider. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
- ^ McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
- ^ McNary, Dave (June 27, 2018). "'Black Panther' Reigns at Saturn Awards, 'Better Call Saul' and 'Twin Peaks' Top TV Field". Variety.
- ^ "FUTURE MAN SEASON 1". Classification.gov.au. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ "FUTURE MAN: SEASON 2". Classification.gov.au. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ "FUTURE MAN: SEASON 3". Classification.gov.au. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
External links
- Official website
- Future Man at IMDb