HOME TRAILERS RELEASE DATES PODCASTS REVIEWS POSTERS INTERVIEWS BOB $TENCIL NEWS FEEDS ABOUT APPS

LATEST NEWS

It's Official - More Live-Action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

by Alex Billington
September 2, 2008

Back in July, just before the arrival of The Dark Knight, we posted a very far-fetched rumor stating that the next Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie would be live-action. It came from a quote on the website of Playmate Toys, which was quickly changed after the original report. Until today, we haven't heard anything since that rumor, and speculated that it might have just been a mistake. But alas, it's been confirmed, by none other than TMNT creator Kevin Eastman. Via the Heavy Metal Forums, Eastman writes that "it is true" and that Imagi is trying to do a "re-invention" or reboot rather than a sequel. Good idea? I'm not entirely sure yet, but I do know that I am getting a bit tired of reboots and remakes...

Eastman explains on the forums that it is indeed true that they're developing a live-action Turtles movie, but it's only an idea right now, and they're working out the early details. Here's his full post:

"Although the CGI film did well enough to warrant a sequel, there has been much talk between Imagi and Warners to do a better 're-invention' (newest Hollywood buzzword) of the TMNT's, in a live action film--like what was done with Batman. Back to basics, back to the origin and the intro of the Shredder, etc...there have been talks, trips to Northampton to talk to Mr Laird, and discussions with the original "first" TMNT film director Steve Barron to come back and do it right--but no official word yet...will keep you posted."

To counter what I said earlier about getting tired of reboots, I'll make an exception for the Turtles because I'm such a huge fan. Well, I'm a fan of the original live-action movies and TV series and all of that, back when I was a kid, but I still love them even today. It could be called a guilty pleasure, but I think most of my friends love them, too. I mean, come on, those movies were awesome, weren't they?! Both Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 1990 and Secret of the Ooze in 1991 were classics! Or maybe my inner child is getting the best of me. The question to ask now is whether a reboot will really result in a return that will live up to those original movies from the early 90's or whether it will be a ridiculous self-indulgent mess?

Hollywood is now completely wrapped up in the success of The Dark Knight and rebooting every franchise they can, not only because they have safety in knowing that fans are already familiar with it, but because they can put a new spin on it and potentially create another hit. This Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise is getting a bit overloaded though, considering we had three live-action movies that told their own story, then we had a the animated TMNT movie last year, which told another separate story. Thankfully creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird are quite involved in this reboot, which is a great start. Let's just hope they find a director as good, too. Who else is excited to see the Turtles return?

Explore tags: Hype, Movie News, Opinions

http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

There is another thing I've got to say but wanted to save it for discussion in the comments... It would be awesome to see them go all the way back to the *early* roots where the Turtles all wore the same color headbands and so on. The more I think about this, the more excited I get! Turtles!
Silver

Hell yeah the Turtles rock!!
You

All the TMNT movies have been crap. Hopefully this one will get it right. Yes, I want origin of Shredder, origin of Splinter, origin of Turtles, Krang, Dimension X, foot soldiers, Bebop, Rocksteady, Baxter Stockman, April O'Neill... Keep it dark, the original cartoons were really dark before they turned them into pizza-addicted surfer dudes. Plenty of good material to make more than one movie.

guest

so i guess you dont know what your talking about when it comes to movies. all the tmnt movies rock, espically the first on. as far as all those extra villans, go back to watching saturday morning cartoons and eating eggo's

Rob

I thought the animated one was great and needed a sequel
http://www.thetylerhayes.com Tyler Hayes

I completely agree with #3, the cartoons were extremely dark and violent when they were originally created and I think we as a culture have moved on to a point now where we can appreciate dark films.
Brian

Sounds sexy! I'm actually interested, especially if we get to see more Shredder. Start from the beginning. Yeah. I could get in bed with that.
Jesse

3 your crazy the cartoon was never dark. Sure the mini seires that started it had them stabbing ninjas not knowing they were robots, but that was it. They still ate pizza krang still sounded annoying, Shredder cracked terrible jokes. I love 80's cartoons but I don't want that show touching the TMNT. Besides even the creators of the TMNT hate those characters like Krang, bebob and rocksteady. Your chance of seeing them in a movie is in the negatives. Thank God for that. Oh and yeah great news that WB is thinkig about more live action. It's werid that there speaking with Eastman since he doesn't have anything to do with the turtles anymore.
Spider

That could be cool! I read on SuperHeroHype.com that the producers were having preliminary discussions with the original, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", director Steve Barron about re-booting the flick and doing it right! I sure hope things work out.
Jesse

Oh maybe this will get that special edition of the first movie moving forward.
DarkGrittyMovieLover

Why remake? The first film is just fine as it is. If they're gonna reboot or remake the series the best approach is to ignore the ones that came after it and move on from there. People are gonna get tired of reboots, remakes, no matter how you cut it. At least it's better than that CGI crap fest that came out last year.
http://www.youtube.com/AllmightyKeim AllmightyKeim

HEROS IN A HALF SHELL! WITH TURTLE POWER! I for one think that the first TMNT movie rocked hard. Then again I was a kid then. But Hollywood keeps going back and just remaking stuff. Even if it's a TV show being made into a movie. Not a lot of new ideas are comming out. I am not saying that I don't like it, but I would love to see new new stuff. New superheros, new stories. Just something new. http://www.youtube.com/AllmightyKeim
mikesta

yeah I for one would love to see a stripped down R rated turtles and do a dark night and get rid of the usual naming conventions, call it like... actually I have no idea but lose the Teenage Mutant Ninja part and give it some hard coreness otherwise you might as well just watch the original awesome live action films
JodyP

The Cartoons were never dark, it was the original Comic books that were dark, and the whole same colour headband thing is not cool. They need to do it like the original TMNT movie, I meen the movie. Keep it filthy keep it grungy but keep it comical, thats why there is such a following is because of the 80's archie comic type cartoons wiht the turtles being goofballs, if they can keep it dark, keep it funny (like The dark knight) they'll have an amazing flick on there hands. I'm Pumped
JodyP

and all this talking about "rebooting" really makes me wanna see a Reboot film (nothign to do wiht turtles. Anyone seen the show?? Reboot.... lol thats just a side note, sorry to take away from the turtle i beg forgivness.
Josh M

This is the greatest idea anyone had about anything ever. Seriously though, those movies were good, wholesome classics! Rebooting the series couldn't hurt and I'd sure as hell see the movie! Heroes in a half shell! Turtle power!
http://firstshowing.net Andy Adair

I am so nostalgic of the Turtle movies. I loved them growing up, I was even a Ninja Turtle 4 straight halloweens! With that being said, I want Leonardo to stab someone with his sword. Is that so much to ask for? (I'm venting!) I think this is an awesome idea and if I am the only person in the theater on opening day then so be it!
CK

I am down with rebooting the Turtles Franchise. I think that it would be great to see a darker version of them instead of the pizza eating surfer dudes. Keep that in place to a certain point but don't have everyone in New York eating pizza all of a sudden. Also the reboot needs to have two things for it to rock. First a HOT April and second another apperance by Vanilla Ice.
Frame

I haven't seen TMNT, thought the last two live-action films were terrible and think the first one is fine as it is. The thing about the first Turtles flick is the tone was set just right... it was gritty considering its source material and its balance with humor and seriousness was perfect. The second one just wasn't funny at all and forget about being gritty. I'm not sure how I feel about the reboot thing... I think I should probably set my sights on seeing TMNT first. As big as their budget might be, though, I don't feel like they'll capture that balance I was talking about up there.
JL

It's funny how things change when you get older. I loved the old movies. Now, they seem silly. The first time I watched the live-action TMNT movie, I was like, "This is the greatest thing I have ever seen." I was five. And I said that about everything. I didn't see the computer generated turtles movie, but I would give this a chance if it was a little more serious. The first one was kind of gritty, I'll give it that. The second, no. I don't have anything against the characters being goofballs. You can be a goof and still kill people with a ninja sword.
Breach

As long as they are The Dark Knight kind of good, cant wait!
vu

I almost had to have words with alex till I read comment#1. all i've got to say is hell yeah it's about time. very happy childhood memories associated with tmnt. now I'm gonna say a little prayer that they don't fuck it up. ok I'm done.
alex

NOOOO! They are going to ruin everything! Cant they just leave us with our happy childhood memories? ITS THE 80'S ALL OVER AGAIN!
http://movieguyreviews4u.blogspot.com Ryan

NOOOO! LEAVE IT BE, LEAVE IT BE! Didn't TMNT ruin it already?
bizzy bizcake

from someone who watched the teenage mutant ninja turtles COME OUT OF THEIR SHELLS live in concert when I was 5, religiously watched the original cartoon series and the movies as a child and even more as a teenager myself loved the comics, I must say I agree with the first post, there is a lot of material to go off of, and I hope they try to spread it over multiple movies. could be an amazing thing.
avoidz

I remember watching the cartoon in the late 80s, and paying to see the first movie back in 1990 as a teenager; there was so much hype around it, it was fantastic (the movie was okay, too). But another reboot/remake *sigh* I guess that's all there is lately, so bring it on, let's see what you got.
Jesse

Yeah this news is fake, time to take it off the site.
Ray

Fuck Yeah!!!!! COWABUNGA!
bronxkid

Does this mean we will have Vanilla Ice performing again! Ohhhhhhh myyyyy I can't wait! Not!
MBD

While I dont mind a reboot, I'd prefer if they stuck with animation rather than live-action.
http://url.ie/h1b?849741174 web

I hope they keep it dark and target it towards the now adult former fans. The batman begins comparison sounds great, but as much as I love the first 2 movies, I think recruiting the director may be a mistake. I am worried it might feel more like the Xmen series which while I liked the first two, I think that style of comic book translation would not deepen the turtles universe the way it needs to be. What will be interesting is seeing a children's show ultra seriously
megachrist

How could you even have the smallest want for them to make another animation film? It was horrible. Not only did it take away from the pure "realness" of the whole thing, they made the turtles' vajayjays hurt. Neither of the first two films were the turtles soft. Maybe goofy but not soft. You could do so much more with today's filming capabilities. Go balls out and make an uncut, unrated aimed for adult viewing, TURTLES. They pumped one out for the children. Time to make the original fans happy!!!!!
Tuna

If they re-make them they need to do what they did with batman and make them dark. The origional movie was by far the best and it was the darkest, not that im a emo kid just the dark was good and it did make batman pretty sweet!
Mikey

I think they would need Christopher Nolan to direct this film if they want the TMNT to be as good as the Dark Knight, they would need the script writers and writers to make it dark and complex, hopefully this will be the case.
Mikey

The first TMNT movie had the right idea basing the story on actual possible events. Christopher Nolan stated he wanted the Dark Knight to be as real as possible hence the real stunts performed and realistic storyline withour resorting to 'monsters and other dimensions' in the latest TMNT movie which was farfetched and childish. They would need him in order to perform realistic stunts and direct this, I hope the CGI effects would be kept to a minimum if they remake this film. They should also have a beginning of how they transformed into mutants and show the history between Hamato Yoshi and Oruku Saki
OH NO!

This is terrible to be honest. Not as bad as it can be. Here are the pro's and cons. Pro's - Eastman and Laird still involved - LIVE ACTION. Yes! Con's - Possible and likely use of CGI. Please, don't CGI any of the main characters. - A Reboot...the series doesn't need a reboot, at least not now. We want a new adventure that'll explore the TMNT universe. I beg you, reconsider rebooting and write something fresh. If audiences are pleased by something new, they'll be more receptive towards something old.
Michael Smith

I have the original graphic novel, where a gentelman earlier had posted a comment about "all wearing the same color headband". I agree that would be best thing Eastman and Laird could do for the popularity of T.M.N.T. Making the movie more "dark", with Casey Jones and all the original characters would definately respark an interest in young and old fans.
Josh Teast

Is Vanilla Ice Coming back too?