One month after theKickstartercampaign first launched for theMystery Science Theater 3000reboot, the show is now fully funded, earning $5.76 million. This tally just barely surpassed theVeronica Marsmovie’s $5.702 million total to become the most-funded video project in Kickstarter history. The show also raised an additional $600,000 through the sale of merchandise from the campaign’s Add-On Store, bringing the total to more than $6.3 million.
TheMST3Kcampaign started in mid-November, with a goal of $5.5 million to produce a full season of 12 episodes. The $6.3 million fundraising total brings the episode count for this new season up to 14, one of which will be a holiday special. It isn’t clear when production will begin, but the new episodes will arrive sometime next year. Series creator Joel Hodgson also held a live telethon on Friday night, as the crowd-funding campaign was winding down.
Comedian Jonah Ray will serve as the new host ofMystery Science Theater 3000, withFelicia Dayportraying the new Mad Scientist, Kinga Forrester,Dr. Forrester’s daughter, Hampton Yount as Crow T. Robot and Baron Vaughn as Tom Servo.Patton Oswalthas also come aboard to portrayTV’s Son of TV’s Frank, while also serving as one of the show’s “guest writers.” Earlier this week, Joel Hodgson also announced a slew of other guest writers, such asDan Harmon(Community), Justin Roiland (Rick and Morty),Rob Schrab(The Lego Movie Sequel), Nell Scovell (The Muppets),Ernest Cline(Ready Player One), Patrick Rothfuss (The Name of Wind),Paul & Stormand Dana Gould (The Simpsons), with Robert Lopez (Frozen) writing new original songs for the show.
The original series centered on a zany mad scientist Dr. Clayton Forrester and his loopy assistant Frank, who became bored with their work at the Deep Thirteen research center. They kidnap Joel the janitor and shoot him into orbit on the Satellite of Love. While in space Joel builds wacky robot sidekicks Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot to help him withstand an onslaught of grade ‘Z’ movies that the mad scientists force him to watch.
Joel Hodgson also announced last week that he has invitedJack Black,Joel McHale,Neil Patrick Harris,Jerry Seinfeld,Mark HamillandBill Haderto come aboard forcameoappearances. The series creator revealed over the weekend that he’ll provide a new update on Monday, so stay tuned for that. You can also visit the Add On Rewards Store to purchase several different items from this beloved show. Are you excited thatMystery Science Theater 3000is finally coming back?
