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Disney Is Bringing Back Phineas & Ferb After 10 Years with New Season 5!

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At long last, summer is nearly here, and along with it comes the eagerly anticipated comeback of the cherished Disney Channel show “Phineas and Ferb.” This animated series, developed by Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, centers around the titular stepbrothers who spend their summer holidays engaging in a new adventure every day, frequently building extraordinary projects such as a massive mini-golf course, fixing a time machine, and even creating their own spacecraft. All the while, their sister attempts to thwart their plans. “Phineas and Ferb” spanned four seasons and produced two movies before its initial ending in 2015.

After initially ending with its fourth season finale, it was later announced that creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh received approval from Disney for two additional seasons, starting with the upcoming fifth season of “Phineas and Ferb.” Set a year after the series’ conclusion, this new season follows Phineas, Ferb, and their friends as they embark on further exciting adventures. Simultaneously, Candace persists in her mission to finally bust her brothers, while Perry the Platypus returns to his role as Agent P for the O.W.C.A., only to find that Dr. Doofenshmirtz has decided to return from retirement and resume his villainous activities.

To celebrate the resurgence of Phineas and Ferb, ScreenRant conducted interviews with Dan Povenmire, Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, Vincent Martella, David Errigo Jr., Alyson Stoner, Ashley Tisdale, and Caroline Rhea to delve into the making of season 5. The creative pair reminisced on their decade-long quest to revive the show, touched upon Doofenshmirtz’s transition back to villainy, and discussed the lineup of guest stars. Meanwhile, Martella, Errigo Jr., and Stoner marveled at the profound impact of portraying their characters for such a lengthy period, while Tisdale and Rhea shared glimpses into Candace and Linda’s storylines in season 5.

Phineas And Ferb’s 10-Year Wait Has Led To “Some Of The Best Stuff We’ve Ever Done”

“…Everybody’s On Top Of Their Game…”

Since the conclusion of their original show, Povenmire and Marsh have consistently collaborated on projects, one of which being the 2020 Disney+ film “Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe”. However, they have been particularly committed to reviving the series itself. They’ve shared numerous updates about it on social media, both before and after Disney announced its two-season renewal. Looking back at this 10-year journey, Marsh jokingly referred to it as “drudgery” and compared it to working in a factory, while Povenmire humorously sang it was “like working in a coal mine, going down, down”.

With genuine enthusiasm, Povenmire gleamed as he confided that they and the writing team were having an absolutely fantastic time creating “Phineas and Ferb”. He distinctly remembered a tale told by one of his writers who had moved up to a lucrative position at another studio. However, when she was no longer there due to industry shrinkage, they swiftly contacted her and said, “Can you hang on until we make more Phineas? Because we plan to create more Phineas, but it won’t start for six months.

Apart from immediately responding with “I won’t even seek employment if that situation arises“, she later expressed to Povenmire a few months into the series revival, saying, “The entire time I was at the other studio, I hardly recall laughing so hard I cried.” She added that “it happens almost every day we’re working on Phineas and Ferb“, expressing her gratitude to the co-creator for this positive work environment.

Povenmire stated that the creative team is genuinely enjoying themselves, and he finds the writers’ room particularly amusing. Moreover, he complimented the team for being at their peak performance. He explained that each person’s personality and sense of humor complements everyone else’s, creating a perfect fit. In his opinion, this work is some of the best they’ve ever produced.

One thing that Povenmire and Marsh are particularly thrilled about in the latest episodes of Phineas and Ferb is the chance to deviate slightly from the show’s established pattern, as previously sidelined characters start getting involved in Phineas and Ferb’s escapades. As Povenmire put it, one of the show’s strengths lies in its formula because “it creates anticipation, and when you surprise those expectations with something unexpected, it generates humor“. He added, “We’re going to places that audiences might not expect, and I can hardly wait for them to see it,” sharing his excitement.

Doofenshmirtz’s Return To Evil Has A Very Practical Reason

It Also Won’t Impact His Relationship With Vanessa Too Much

A teaser for Phineas and Ferb season 5 included a fake social media update from Dr. Doofenshmirtz that read “Evil again“, contrasting with the season 4 finale where he renounced evil to ensure Vanessa’s happiness at O.W.C.A., becoming a member there as well. As Povenmire notes, Milo Murphy’s Law provided some foundation for his return to villainy, since he realizes in it that “I’m a hero in the future“, but eventually concludes that “It’s not working out for me at this time“, leading him to make the choice to “try one more time“.

Povenmire expressed in his distinctive Doofenshmirtz tone, “He says something like, ‘Yeah, I might consider that, but I’ll try this devious plan instead. I’ll give it a bit more of a shot.’ This character works best when he’s attempting to garner attention through malevolent plots, because in reality, he’s not causing harm; he just craves attention. He yearns for improvement, and that’s his way of striving for it.

Marsh chimed in by drawing a funny comparison between Doofenshmirtz’s attitude towards becoming a hero and his son’s approach when he was learning to read as a child. According to Marsh, the situation used to annoy him, and one day his son confidently declared, “You know what? I’m just going to wait until I can read chapter books.” To which Marsh replied, “It doesn’t really work… Okay, sure.” [Laughs] However, this is similar to Doofenshmirtz, who also thought, “Yeah, but right now, I’m just going to wait.

In the upcoming season 5 of Phineas and Ferb, there might be concerns about how Doofenshmirtz’s retirement from evil affects his relationship with Vanessa. However, creators Povenmire and Marsh assure fans that their relationship remains strong in the new season. They humorously reference a line where Vanessa says, “Alright, we’re back to doing evil,” and despite his overall actions, Doofenshmirtz continues to strive to be a good father to Vanessa.

Despite his disorganized life, it appears that he prioritizes his role as a father correctly.

Phineas And Ferb Season 5 Will Have Some Very Fun Guest Stars

One, In Particular, Proved A Fun Throwback For The Creators

In the world of Phineas and Ferb, well-known voice actors from the industry are a mainstay, but what truly sets it apart is the occasional appearance of big-name celebrities, such as Ben Stiller, J.K. Simmons, and Seth MacFarlane. For season 5, some confirmed guest stars include Brendan Hunt and Cristo Fernández from Ted Lasso, Meghan Trainor, Rhys Darby, Anna Faris, Ruth Negga, and Alan Cumming.

When queried about the list of celebrities appearing in season 5, Povenmire confessed “I can’t definitely disclose who we can hint at yet“, but he did let slip that there are numerous stars “we were pleasantly surprised to secure“. One star we’re eager to discuss is Jonathan Banks, a former cast member of “Breaking Bad”, whose work in “Beverly Hills Cop” was cited by the co-creator as having a significant impact on his casting for the show. In fact, Marsh also reminisced about “watching him and admiring him for years” following his role in “The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension“.

According to Povenmire, he vividly recalls the moment in “Beverly Hills Cop” where the character was flung through the buffet. There he stood, covered in food and other items on his face. He shared stories about filming that scene, which turned out to be quite amusing. Whenever I run into him, I can’t help but remember that character, his genuine expression, and how hilarious it was without being intentionally funny. His response simply seemed very real.

Marsh continued by saying that numerous guest stars enjoy their time on the show, finding it enjoyable to be a part of “Phineas and Ferb” since they can interact in an unusual manner, contributing to animation in an unconventional way. The co-creator also shared that one guest star, who is an old acquaintance from school days, found the show amusing as it was the only project he could share with his children, given that he often portrays gruesome and terrifying characters on other productions.

I remember vividly when they invited Malcolm McDowell, the Golden Globe nominee, to play Grandpa Reginald “Reg” Fletcher, Ferb’s paternal grandfather, in a recurring role. He shared with the team his desire to sing a song. To be honest, it was the last thing I ever expected from Malcolm McDowell, but he truly enjoyed the experience. It’s always exciting to see talented individuals step out of their comfort zone and do something surprising.

Martella, Errigo Jr. & Stoner Have Enjoyed “An Unbelievably Incredible Experience” With The Show

“…Now, We Can Imbue The Characters And Moments Between Characters With New Perspectives…”

Not just Povenmire and Marsh, key figures from the past are coming back for Phineas and Ferb season 5. The entire original cast is returning to their respective roles in the series. This includes long-time cast members Vincent Martella and Alyson Stoner who joined the show as Phineas and Isabella since its debut in 2007. Stoner expressed her delight saying “it has been an incredible pleasure and joy” to be part of the Phineas and Ferb family, also mentioning that she and Martella essentially “grew up” on the show.

Isabella Star elaborated that revisiting the characters in an extended series format after a decade gave them the chance to add fresh viewpoints to the characters and their interactions, based on their personal life experiences. They further commended the writing team, animation team, audio engineering team, music team for their exceptional work in creating the harmonious essence of the new season. Stoner expressed their joy at being part of something that has brought happiness to millions, finding it astounding that it maintained such a strong connection with fans throughout its run.

Martella expressed feelings similar to Stoner’s by describing working on the show as an “incredibly extraordinary experience,” considering that he has been portraying Phineas for nearly 20 years, and the role holds immense significance for him. He also mentioned that the show is consistently among the most-viewed TV shows on Disney+, demonstrating its lasting popularity with fans. An interesting aspect of the show is seeing one’s characters roaming around at Disneyland and Disney World. During a Disney Channel night he attended with Errigo Jr., the Phineas and Ferb mascots were even present for a dance party!

Martella reminisced, “Spotting your characters felt quite unreal, but what truly blew me away was the music I used to sing at Disneyland playing in my ears – in Tomorrowland and on Main Street. To have brought this character to life and sung so many beautiful songs for her is something incredibly special to me. It’s simply astounding! I hope I get to portray Phineas for another 15 years. I absolutely adore it.

In a lighthearted reminiscence, Errigo Jr., who portrays Ferb in Milo Murphy’s Law, expressed his wish that he could have recorded the moment when he was struck by Martella’s exceptional talent. He was particularly captivated by Martella’s expression as it seemed to convey something unique and magical. The actor playing Ferb concurred with Martella and Stoner’s sentiments, describing the show as “one of the greatest joys and challenges I’ve encountered in my professional career.

In his approach to playing Ferb, Errigo Jr. emphasized not so much on introducing something fresh but rather ensuring that Ferb remains true to himself. He also credited Marsh and Povenmire for providing excellent guidance in maintaining this authenticity. Notably, a line from his initial portrayal of Ferb in Milo Murphy’s Law served as a valuable reminder when getting back into character.

Errigo Jr. shared that he often repeats a specific phrase from the Milo Murphy’s crossover, which goes like this: “Oh. I’m sorry, did you want to say that? It’s just that it’s been a long time.” He considers this his reference point. When he feels that his delivery or characterization is starting to drift, he uses this sentence as a sort of guide to get back on track. In essence, he aims to stay consistent while still incorporating any new material, all the while ensuring his character remains authentic.

Regarding the future of Phineas and Ferb, the three were all brimming with excitement about potential destinations for the series following its confirmed sixth season. Stoner hinted that in the episodes they’ve already produced, Ferb sings a bit more than he did in the initial show. Meanwhile, Errigo Jr. and Martella expressed their hopes for “another season,” encouraging fans to watch the new episodes to make it a reality.

Ashley Tisdale’s Pregnancy Made Season 5’s Recording A Unique Challenge For Her

“This Is Not Mommy In Real Life.”

Alongside Martella, Stoner, and Errigo Jr., Ashley Tisdale and Caroline Rhea are set to reprise their roles as Candace and Linda Flynn-Fletcher respectively in the upcoming cast list for Phineas and Ferb. In previous interviews, Tisdale mentioned that she requested Marsh and Povenmire not to require her to scream excessively as Candace during season 5’s filming because she was pregnant at the time and didn’t want to scare her baby. However, she humorously shared with us that despite this request, she was still screaming, but the creators/showrunners haven’t asked for multiple scream takes in a while.

For years now, I’ve found myself relieved from having to record numerous takes due to their vast collection of scream sounds. It all started when we began this journey 18 years ago. Around a decade back, they informed me, ‘We no longer require your screams. We have plenty on file.’ And indeed, they possess decades worth of my scream takes.

Even though Candace’s boisterous personality necessitated Tisdale to “absolutely still step up” with her voice, the star admitted that she doesn’t typically prepare for work or read scripts in advance, considering it as “part of the character’s brilliance“. Laughing, Tisdale explained that she thought she was deceiving Dan and Swampy by not reading the script, but they responded, “‘No, we knew that you didn’t read the script. However, there’s a unique freshness when you just read it on the spot, allowing you to spontaneously add your touch’“.

Tisdale further elaborated, expressing a sense of “unbounded quality” she finds unique with Candace and an “unusual energy” that she doesn’t access in any other roles she’s played. This makes her off-the-cuff recordings even more enjoyable for her. She also admitted that being pregnant during this season was distinctly different from past seasons, saying, “I was definitely anxious about my baby inside wondering, ‘Mom is acting crazy, what’s happening out there?'” Despite this, she would engage in brief chats with her baby before recording, reassuring her, “Mommy’s going to work; this isn’t mommy in real life.

During the recordings for season 5 of Phineas and Ferb, Tisdale often fell ill, a struggle that was compounded by having a four-year-old who also frequently got sick. This illness, she acknowledges, resulted in Candace sounding “quite congested” throughout the season, as pregnant women are already prone to congestion. Consequently, it proved intriguing for Tisdale to navigate these health challenges while working on the show this year.

Despite her vocal difficulties, Phineas and Ferb season 5 found Tisdale’s character, Candace, picking up exactly where the original series finale left off, resorting to her old habits of attempting to expose her brothers. Stories like “Candace Saves The Universe” hinted at a possible leniency for the brothers, but according to Tisdale, “summer ignites Candace,” providing her with renewed determination: “I won’t give up until my mom sees what they’re doing,” even during the more emotional moments.

I find myself drawn to instances when I sense a genuine affection for Phineas and Ferb, and there’s an endearing quality about them that I really enjoy. These moments are particularly appealing because they offer a stark contrast to our usual activities. To me, she seems to have similar experiences where she says to herself, “Ah, I see a real person behind the characters.

Rhea Has An Interesting Approach To How She Plays Linda’s Obliviousness

She Also Has Some Thoughts On Linda & Doofenshmirtz’s Potential Reunion

Similar to the initial series, Phineas and Ferb in its fifth season continues with Candace attempting but failing to show Linda the boys’ inventions, only for a secret force – often one of Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s contraptions – to erase them before she can. However, Rhea hints that this season may see her participating in at least one adventure. As for why Linda remains clueless about the boys’ antics, Rhea shares that her method as a voice actress is “I pretend I haven’t seen what I’ve witnessed, because that’s how I fit into this world“.

Rhea laughs as she explains, “It wasn’t a big tractor, you’re really tired, pickleball was tough today, and Candace is a bit eccentric, but that’s fine, and you adore her.” She continues, “I guess she’s always been like this. But it was enjoyable. I genuinely enjoyed experiencing things from her perspective.

In the upcoming episodes of Phineas and Ferb, there might be a reunion between Linda and Doofenshmirtz. It’s known from a previous episode that they went on a date in the past. Rhea found the idea that Doofenshmirtz could be Phineas’ father “hilarious”. When discussing what their reunion might be like, Rhea expressed that she would maintain politeness towards the villain, but also acknowledged her concerns, thinking to herself, “Here’s another eccentric character, and I will remain composed and maybe offer him a pie.

Rhea speculated, nevertheless, about a possible romantic past between Lindana and Doofenshmirtz, hinting that “perhaps she harbored deep affection for him” when they initially met. Although being mindful not to reveal any plot details from the upcoming season, the actress did hint at an exciting new character joining the storyline this year who could potentially connect the two realms, assuring fans that they will be “thrilled with her.

More About Phineas And Ferb

In the animated series “Phineas and Ferb,” we follow Phineas and his stepbrother Ferb as they embark on 104 more days of summer, filled with inventive projects. Meanwhile, Candace is persistently trying to expose her brothers, while their pet platypus, Perry, leads a secret life as the sophisticated “Agent P.” His main objective is to prevent Dr. Doofenshmirtz from gaining control over the Tri-State Area.

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2025-06-04 20:32

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