Shearer, who voices Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner and many other characters, hints in Twitter posts that he quits the FOX animated series to work on other projects.
- May 14, 2015
AceShowbiz - "The Simpsons" may lose the voice of Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner and Smithers. Longtime cast member Harry Shearer, who voices many characters on the show, hints in Twitter posts that he's leaving the show to work on other projects.
He initially tweeted what appeared to be a quote from a lawyer for executive producer James L. Brooks, "...show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best." He then followed it up with another tweet which explained reason of his departure, "This because I wanted what we've always had: the freedom to do other work. Of course, I wish him the very best."
It's reported that Shearer hadn't sealed the deal to renew his contract for two more years, while other principal cast members like Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria had signed their contracts. Production on the 27th season has begun without him to make sure there's no delay in the airing schedule, but producers expected him to return.
According to TMZ, the contract dispute had something to do with back-end and merchandising.
FOX has not addressed the report yet.
