Future Man (TV series)

Future Man is an American comedy web 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, and Haley Joel Osment and is executive produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. A third and final season was released on April 3, 2020.

Future Man
Genre
Created by
Starring
Composer(s)Halli Cauthery
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes34 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Josh Hutcherson
  • Mychelle Deschamps
  • Shawn Wilt
Production location(s)Los Angeles
Cinematography
Editor(s)
  • Tirsa Hackshaw
  • Brent White
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time27–35 minutes
Production company(s)
DistributorSony Pictures Television
Release
Original networkHulu
Original releaseNovember 14, 2017 (2017-11-14) –
April 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
External links
Official website

Premise

A janitor, Josh Futturman, successfully completes his favorite video game (that was considered unbeatable), Biotic Wars, when suddenly the game's two main characters, Tiger and Wolf, 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

The following is a list of series regulars, recurring and guest stars from Future Man.

Actor Character Seasons
1 2 3
Josh Hutcherson Josh Futturman Main
Eliza Coupe Tiger Main
Derek Wilson Wolf Main
Ed Begley, Jr Gabe Futturman Main
Glenne Headly Diane Futturman Main
Haley Joel Osment Dr. Stu Camilo Recurring Main

    Main
    • Josh Hutcherson as Josh Futturman, a research facility janitor and the first person to complete the video game Biotic Wars.
    • Eliza Coupe as Tiger, a soldier from the distant future who travels back in time to recruit Josh into aiding their mission to prevent a deadly war from occurring. Coupe also portrays an alternate timeline version of Tiger known as Ty-anne in season two.
    • Derek Wilson as Wolf, a fellow comrade of Tiger's from the distant future who joins her in attempting to recruit Josh. Wilson also portrays an alternate timeline version of Wolf known as Torque in season two.
    • Ed Begley, Jr. as Gabe Futturman (season 1), Josh's father
    • Glenne Headly as Diane Futturman (season 1), Josh's mother
    • Haley Joel Osment as Doctor Stu Camillo (season 2; recurring season 1)

    Recurring
    • Jason Scott Jenkins as Carl
    • Robert Craighead as Detective Vincent Skarsgaard
    • Keith David as Doctor Elias Kronish
    • Britt Lower as Jeri Lang
    • Kevin Caliber as Blaze
    • Paul Scheer as Paul
    • Awkwafina as Tracy
    • Artemis Pebdani as Dr. Mina Ahmadi (season 2)
    • 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)
    • Seth Rogen as Susan (season 2-3)
    • Kimberly Hébert Gregory as Mathers (season 3)

    Guest

    Episodes
    SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
    113November 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    213January 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    38April 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)

    Season 1 (2017)
    No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
    1"Pilot"Seth Rogen & Evan GoldbergStory by : Howard Overman and Kyle Hunter & Ariel Shaffir
    Teleplay by : Kyle Hunter & Ariel Shaffir    		November 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    Josh Futterman is an unambitious janitor who lives with his parents and spends most of his time playing the video game "Biotic Wars". One night, after countless unsuccessful attempts, Josh beats the game's final level, and is labeled an in-game savior. While masturbating to a character in the game known as "Tiger", both Tiger and another character "Wolf" land in his room after time traveling. They explain to Josh that Biotic Wars was used to recruit their potential savior, and after a period of disbelief, they travel back in time to 1969, where Josh encounters younger versions of his family. They soon engage in a fight with a group of bikers, then steal their clothes to blend in to their surroundings. They enter a diner, where a gun set off by Josh causes them to flee, right before Wolf throws down a mine, killing a cop.
    2"Herpe: Fully Loaded"Seth Rogen & Evan GoldbergKyle Hunter & Ariel ShaffirNovember 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    Having jumped back to 1969 with Wolf and Tiger, Josh must convince his new allies to pursue a non-violent approach in their efforts to prevent Doctor Kronish's research as he tries to prevent Kronish contracting herpes to prevent his research.
    3"A Riphole In Time"Seth Rogen & Evan GoldbergHenry Alonso MyersNovember 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    Back in the present, Josh swiftly realizes that their trip to the past has not altered Doctor Kronish's research, but has made various comparatively minor changes to history (such as Kronish being less assertive and someone else founding the equivalent of Apple).
    4"A Fuel's Errand"Anton CropperDan MirkNovember 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    With Josh having interrupted Tiger and Wolf's assassination attempt on Doctor Kronish, they must pursue other options when they realize that their time travel device is almost out of fuel.
    5"Justice Desserts"Anton CropperMelody DerloshonNovember 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    Having learned that biotics are active in the present, Josh arranges for Tiger and Wolf to infiltrate a company Christmas party to try and identify the biotics at the company, Tiger coming as his date and Wolf acting as the cook.
    6"A Blowjob Before Dying"Nisha GanatraBen KarlinNovember 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    Having captured a biotic, the team have just 27 minutes to interrogate her for information before the micro-charge in her head goes off, while Josh's parents have a party downstairs.
    7"Pandora's Mailbox"Brandon TrostJessica ConradNovember 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    Josh, Tiger and Wolf take a quick jump to 2023 to try and retrieve more fuel from James Cameron's house after learning that Cameron discovered the fuel, but are hampered by his house's A.I. system SIGORN-E.
    8"Girth, Wind & Fire"Nisha GanatraMatthew Bass & Theodore BressmanNovember 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    Tiger and Wolf's plans for a final jump are interrupted when Josh insists that they help him save his mother after she is abducted by the 'police', leading to another confrontation with the police.
    9"Operation: Fatal Attraction"Michael WeaverStory by : Dan Mirk & Henry Alonso Myers
    Teleplay by : Dan Mirk    		November 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    After Josh proposes a daring plan to stop Doctor Kronish in 1985, his efforts are complicated when he discovers that Kronish's lover at this time is actually male, while Wolf retreats to enjoy life in the eighties as Tiger evaluates her role in life.
    10"Operation: Natal Attraction"Michael WeaverStory by : Dan Mirk & Henry Alonso Myers
    Teleplay by : Dan Mirk    		November 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    Josh's plan to stop Doctor Kronish is complicated as a visit to his own house results in him almost jeopardizing his own parents' relationship on the night they met, while Tiger and Wolf find themselves in conflict over their dedication to the mission.
    11"Beyond the TruffleDome"Wendey StanzlerKyle Hunter & Ariel ShaffirNovember 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    Tiger and Wolf analyse their dedication as the team are split across history, with Josh abandoned in the present, Tiger finding herself acting as nanny to the infant Kronish in 1949, and Wolf acting as the head chef of an unconventional restaurant in the late 1980s.
    12"Prelude to an Apocalypse"Michael DowseBen KarlinNovember 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    Josh discovers that his life has been greatly changed by his actions in the past.
    13"A Date with Destiny"Michael DowseStory by : Kyle Hunter & Ariel Shaffir
    Teleplay by : Ben Karlin & Nora Winslow    		November 14, 2017 (2017-11-14)
    With history much worse, Josh, Tiger and Wolf make a desperate attempt to complete the mission for good.

    Season 2 (2019)
    No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
    1"Countdown to a Prologue"Jonathan WatsonDan MirkJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    After experiencing what appears to be Tiger and Wolf's return to his life, Josh soon learns that he has actually been brought into a new future, with humanity now engaged in a civil war through the actions of Doctor Stu Camillo, Kronish's former business partner.
    2"The i of the Tiger"Michael WeaverKyle Hunter & Ariel ShaffirJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    Forced to abandon Wolf, Tiger travels to the village of the new 'biotics', and is horrified to learn that her brief interaction with Stu Camillo gave him everything he needed to create this new timeline.
    3"A Wolf in the Torque House"Michael WeaverBen KarlinJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    Wolf realizes that he has been mistaken for his own counterpart, 'Torque', but his plans to get away are hindered as he finds himself bonding with his other selves' group spouses and daughter.
    4"Guess Who's Coming to Lunch"Craig ZiskJane BeckerJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    As Josh struggles to survive in the wastelands, Tiger is increasingly discomfited by her interaction with Ty-Anne, her own counterpart in this timeline.
    5"J1: Judgment Day"Jonathan WatsonJoel Church-CooperJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    Reunited, the trio attempt to break into the Pointed Circle headquarters to reclaim the TTD, during which Josh is horrified to learn the full extent of their plans for him.
    6"The Binx Ultimatum"Craig ZiskNora WinslowJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    As Tiger searches for the TTD, Josh is remanded to a labour camp in the NAG while Wolf tries to suggest change to Supreme Overlord Vise.
    7"Homicide: Life in the Mons"Kevin BrayAllison KiesslingJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    Wolf brings Josh to his Clusternest while Tiger hits a dead end in her search for the TTD.
    8"The Last Horchata"Tamra DavisDan MirkJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    Tiger becomes won over by Stu's ideas when he draws her into his simulation.
    9"The Ballad of PUP-E Q. Barkington"Kevin BrayJoel Church-CooperJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    Bloodshed ensues as Stu sends his forces to take Josh from the NAG while Josh and Wolf learn the identity of the leader of the Pointed Circle.
    10"Exes and OS"Tamra DavisJane Becker & Nora WinslowJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    Ty-Anne reveals her full history while raised under Stu, including how she joined the resistance and met Torque.
    11"Dia de Los Robots"Millicent SheltonBen Karlin, Kyle Hunter, & Ariel ShaffirJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    On the day of the MARS launch, Josh sneaks into Stu's brain uploader machine to try and shut him down while Tiger learns the full extent of Stu's megalomania.
    12"The Brain Job"Millicent SheltonBen Karlin, Kyle Hunter, & Ariel ShaffirJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    With the TTD now in their possession, the trio attempt rapid jumps into the past to use the eleven-second window available to them to shut Stu down for good.
    13"Ultra-Max"Wendey StanzlerBen Karlin, Kyle Hunter, & Ariel ShaffirJanuary 11, 2019 (2019-01-11)
    Having messed with time travel too many times, the trio are taken to jail in 3491 and find their loyalty to each other tested by their cruel and unusual jailer, Susan.

    Season 3 (2020)
    No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [1]
    1"The Precipice of Yesterday"Jonathan WatsonBen KarlinApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
    Josh, Tiger, and Wolf are forced to compete in the Diecathalon, but a complication arises that puts them at odds with each other.
    2"There Will Be Borscht"Jonathan WatsonKyle Hunter & Ariel ShaffirApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
    Josh puts his faith in The Voice while Wolf basks in his element and Tiger struggles to adapt.
    3"Trapper's Delight"Jonathan WatsonJoel Church-CooperApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
    Josh's crisis of faith comes to a head as Tiger connects with her killer instincts, and Wolf struggles to lay low.
    4"The Outlaw Wild Sam Bladden"Jonathan WatsonNora WinslowApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
    Tiger and Wolf come to terms with their true selves as Josh is forced to confront what and who he truly believes.
    5"Haven Is for Real"Alex BuonoAnnie MebaneApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
    Tiger and Wolf let Josh take command.
    6"The Land After Time"Alex BuonoJasmine ChiongApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
    Josh discovers a new happiness as Wolf loses his mind and Tiger embarks on an unexpected journey.
    7"Time Rogues III: Escape from Forever"Alex BuonoKyle Hunter & Ariel ShaffirApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
    Josh and Wolf reunite and make a desperate move to escape while Tiger reconciles her past and present selves.
    8"Return of the Present"Jonathan WatsonBen KarlinApril 3, 2020 (2020-04-03)
    The universe is about to end. For real this time.

    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]

    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."[21] On Metacritic season 1 has a weighted average score of 70 out of 100 based on reviews from 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[22] 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."[23]

    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.[24][25] Adam Chitwood of Collider.com 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."[26]

    On Rotten Tomatoes, season 3 has 3 positive reviews.[27][28] 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."[29] Adam Chitwood of Collider.com 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.[30]

    Awards and nominations

    In 2018 Future Man was Nominated[31][32] for Best New Media Superhero Series at the 44th Saturn Awards

    Home Media

    Future Man: Season One is available on both DVD and Blu-ray formats in Australia (Region B), released January 2, 2019 from Via Vision distribution.[33][34] Future Man: Season Two was released on DVD and Blu-ray from Via Vision on August 8, 2019.[35][36][37]

    See also

    References
    1. "Future Man – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
    2. Andreeva, Nellie (September 9, 2016). "Hulu Picks Up Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg Comedy 'Future Man' To Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
    3. 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.
    4. Prudom, Laura (September 9, 2016). "Josh Hutcherson Comedy 'Future Man' Gets Series Pickup at Hulu". Variety. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
    5. Goldberg, Leslie (January 8, 2018). "'Runaways,' 'Future Man' Score Second Season Renewals at Hulu". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
    6. Andreeva, Nellie (January 8, 2018). "'Marvel's Runaways' & 'Future Man' Renewed By Hulu For Season 2". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
    7. Lenker, Maureen Lee (October 1, 2018). "See the first photos from season 2 of 'Future Man'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
    8. Andreeva, Nellie (April 9, 2019). "'Future Man' Renewed For Third & Final Season By Hulu". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
    9. "Final Season of Hulu Original "Future Man" Premieres April 3rd". The Futon Critic. February 27, 2020.
    10. Andreeva, Nellie (February 17, 2016). "Josh Hutcherson To Headline 'Future Man' Hulu Comedy Pilot From Seth Rogen". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
    11. Andreeva, Nellie (February 24, 2016). "Eliza Coupe To Co-Star In Hulu Pilot 'Future Man'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
    12. 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.
    13. Andreeva, Nellie (May 2, 2016). "'Future Man': Derek Wilson Cast In Hulu Comedy Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
    14. 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.
    15. Pedersen, Erik (April 25, 2017). "Aasif Mandvi Getting 'Younger'; Robert Craighead Joins 'Future Man'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
    16. Petski, Denise (June 28, 2018). "Shaun Brown Joins 'Future Man'; Michael Galante In 'Good Trouble'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
    17. 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.
    18. 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.
    19. Petski, Denise (August 23, 2018). "'Shameless' Casts Rebecca Field; Timothy Hornor Joins 'Future Man'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
    20. 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.
    21. "Future Man: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
    22. "Future Man: Season 1". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
    23. 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.
    24. "Future Man: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
    25. "Future Man: Season 2". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
    26. Adam Chitwood (11 January 2019). "'Future Man' Season 2 Review: A Sci-Fi Comedy Triumph". Collider. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
    27. "Future Man: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
    28. "Future Man: Season 3". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
    29. 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.
    30. Adam Chitwood (3 April 2020). "'Future Man' Comes to an Uneven Yet Fittingly Weird End in Season 3 | Review". Collider. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
    31. McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
    32. McNary, Dave (June 27, 2018). "'Black Panther' Reigns at Saturn Awards, 'Better Call Saul' and 'Twin Peaks' Top TV Field". Variety.
    33. "Future Man - Season 1 (DVD)". Sanity.com.au. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
    34. "Future Man - Season 1 (Blu-ray)". Sanity.com.au. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
    35. "Future Man Season 2 (DVD)". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
    36. "Future Man Season 2 (Blu-ray)". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
    37. "Upcoming Via Vision Entertainment Blu-ray Releases". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
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