The cancellation and current limbo-state of Adult Swim's venerated animated series The Venture Bros. has left many fans shocked and frustrated, especially since the plug was pulled this late into the show's lifespan. It's clear The Venture Bros. has been building to its conclusion and even one more season would be enough to wrap things up. But in the streaming era, no show is ever truly canceled and this is true of The Venture Bros., too. Its fate right now is in the hands of one service in particular: HBO Max.
The Venture Bros. cancellation was a shock to series creators Jackson Publick and Doc Hammer. Since its debut in 2003, the cartoon has always been slow to produce new episodes and fans have become accustomed to waiting years between seasons. It's part of the mystique of the show, and many consider it a major contributing factor to the continuing quality of the series.
So, it was particularly devastating to hear that Publick and Hammer were in the midst of writing Season 8 when they were blindsided with the news of the cancellation. Publick confirmed the news on Twitter, and the fan outcry was swift and immediate. Adult Swim was quick to respond, saying that while the show would no longer air there, it is actively helping The Venture Bros. find a new home.
The most obvious option for the series is HBO Max, which currently has a streaming deal with Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. Beyond already offering animated shows for children and adults, HBO Max has invested in continuing popular cartoons like Adventure Time, Infinity Train and Summer Camp Island.
The good news is, HBO Max seems to be interested, but there has been no real confirmation either way. This would be the first Adult Swim property it would invest in and, while critically acclaimed, The Venture Bros. has always been a cult show that's maintained a modest-sized, but loyal, viewership. It has long been a feather in Adult Swim's cap, but compared to other properties like Aqua Teen Hunger Force or Robot Chicken, The Venture Bros. just isn't as big a hit.
Despite its interest, there's no guarantee HBO Max will pick up the series. But even if it does pass on the show, that doesn't necessarily mean the end for The Venture Bros. There are an ever-growing number of streaming services jockeying for content that will bring in subscribers. Fans, for their part, have started a Change.org petition to save the show, which asks other streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime to pick up the series if HBO Max fails to.
No other streaming service has expressed interest in the show, but that is likely because they are waiting to see what HBO Max does -- just like the show's fans. HBO Max remains the best fit and most likely service to renew The Venture Bros., and any guess as to the interest of other streaming services would be pure speculation at this point.
Fans may currently be lamenting the show's cancellation, but the truth is The Venture Bros. isn't quite dead yet. There's a good chance that, like the titular twins, Hank and Dean, the beloved cartoon will get a shot at resurrection.