During its tumultuous, on-and-off-and-on seven-season run, Futurama amassed a dedicated, detail-oriented fan base like few others.
The beloved, award-winning cartoon went through several changes in time slot and network over its run but ended up defying the odds to deliver three more seasons than seemed likely upon its original cancellation in 2003. Although it was given not one but two acclaimed send-offs in original series closer The Devil's Hands Are Idle Playthings and ultimate final episode Meanwhile, fans are still finding new and creative ways to express their undying love for Matt Groening and David X. Cohen's li'l sci-fi comedy that could.
One of the newest — and, as Gizmodo notes, simultaneously most impressive and most upsetting — is a fan-made live-action film trailer for a project titled Fan-O-Rama: A Futurama Fan Film. Uploaded to YouTube this week by nascent channel Cinema Relics (this is their only first video so far; man, talk about setting the bar high), the surprisingly polished trailer doesn't boast much in the way of story — it's something to do with space pirates — but, along with all its hyper-real personifications of several characters, is overflowing with nods and winks to the wider World Of TomorrowTM including appearances from the living head of Richard Nixon, Nibbler, Hypno-Toad and more.
Curiously, the film's newly released poster suggests it's set in 3004, placing the events of the fan film at some point after the conclusion of the series' original four seasons but before its revival.
Check it out in all its nightmare-fuelling, Uncanny Valley-dwelling glory below.
The film is the brainchild of Cinema Relics president Dan Lanigan, who serves as Fan-O-Rama director, co-producer, writer and cast member, in collaboration with Cinema Relics partner-in-crime and co-producer Martin Meunier. It features actors (and fellow Relics team members) Kody Frederick, Katie Lanigan and Andy Klimczak, and boasts production design from Leo Garza, production from Adam Cook, costume design from Eric Diaz, editing by Rob Paglia and co-ordination/administration by Nika Dunne.
Find out more about Cinema Relics at the group's website, or check out Fan-O-Rama's homepage here.
