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COMIC-CON 2009

Producers Promise a Dark Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie

by Andy Adair
July 24, 2009

From their beginnings as a comic, through the years of video games and cartoons, various iterations of movies, and the amazing toy lines that have been produced, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have always had a soft spot in many people's hearts. This year at Comic-Con marks the 25th anniversary of the TMNT, and the progression towards what fans really want in a new Turtles movie appears to be on the horizon. I was fortunate enough to be at the TMNT panel this afternoon, and we were able to get an early feel for what the new TMNT live-action film currently being written by John Fusco will be all about.

Producers Scott Mednick and Galen Walker were on hand to answer a few questions about the new film, currently scheduled for a release sometime in 2011. "I love the Turtles. They have a special quality, the key is that we want to make the greatest Turtle movie ever," stated Walker, a response that was echoed by co-producer Mednick moments later. There is clearly a goal for TMNT, but what exactly is it? "In the world we live in today, in the golden age of superhero movies, we need to get back to where this all started."

I got the feeling from the producers that this will be somewhat of a Turtles origin story (which has been reported before). They were all very adamant about getting back to what the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in '90 did. "The interesting thing about TMNT was the combination of action and humor, and Steve Barron (director from the first Turtles movie) added one thing, heart. We want and need to go back to that. Let's make sure we don't dishonor what has been before, and let's create something new," added Mednick.

With these ideas in mind, the fans still wanted to know one thing - will TMNT follow the same path that other darker superhero movies have been going in the last few years. "Our point of view is this: go back and look at the original Turtles comics. They are very dark. The audience is much more sophisticated than they were in 1990. This is 2009. Take the new Harry Potter for example. It is rated PG and it's still a very dark film. We are headed that direction," Galen said. The fans cheered to this response, and there were smiles all around. For as little as we got today, it's obvious that there is a very bright light at the end of this tunnel.

As a Turtles fan, I am very excited to see what the future holds for this new movie. I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot more about in the next few months. And of course, we'll always be the first to break any news for you.

Filed under Comic-Con 09, Movie News

From around the web:

Xero

I am totally looking forward to this. its been a long time coming but hopefully this one will be the true turtles that we all deserve. bring it on.
Xerxex

sweet.
ocp

I have #2-#20 somethings first print of the original comics
Caleb

this news made my day...
Janny

dark is good... sort of a draw back to the first live action movie, sounds like the producers care about it
DoomCanoe

sounds like everyone on board knows what the people want and how to give it to them. i cant wait to see the turtles come back to life.
Bender

dumbest idea ever... what's next then? dark winnie the pooh?
Movieraider321

7 is obviously not a true Turtles fan if he doesn't realize how truly dark The Turtles comics were
Tazz

this is great news i hope its PG-13 #7 its not a dumb idea in the Turtles comics its very dark i think you are a person who only watched the cartoons. if you watched the cartoons and read the comics you see that the comics are very dark and different from the cartoons. guys you need to check this fan website they have a concept idea about how the mutation should happen. when you go to the website click on "Mutation Scene" and read their concept on how the mutation should happen. http://www.turtlesthemovie.com/mutation.php also check out this cool fan-made design of TMNT done by comic book artist Stjepan Sejic http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs45/f/2009/124/c/7/teenage_mutant_ninja_turtles_by_nebezial.jpg
Tra la la la la di da

The painting on that site is so f'ing sweet!!! I hate that they keep comparing this to being dark like recent movies since TMNT was out in 1990 and dark before them all...save the original Batman. See, it's been done, it works well. I can't wait!!!
http://manxome.tumblr.com/ manxome

embarassing that there'll be a dark turtles movie *before* a dark daredevil movie...
subcelsious5g

the comics were very dark, even the artwork was gritty , no where near like the cartoon even though the old cartoon and video games rocked. any1 who had the old tmnt comics know this.
TheSaint

I'm Kinda wxcited about this. Need to know more though.
ddot3

I've always been a fan of the comic book Casey Jones. I tthink he needs to be a phycopath like he was then. They really messed him up over the years...
Moviegimp

I just want to know if they will all have red masks.
Caleb

#7 you're an Idiot, learn about it before posting on a subject you clearing know nothing about.
SuicidalOptimist

#7 Just for your information...the old comics were way dark, and bloody as hell. They had absolutely nothing in common with nowadays cartoons. Except maybe for the humor in parts. I would LOVE to see them showing the TMNT origins as dark as that. Of course it won't be as bloody (if at all), because they likely wanna keep the rating low, so kids can watch it, too.
SlashBeast

I've always wanted to see the darker, original version of TMNT hit the screen and I'm glad that they are incorporating some of that into the next film.
Jason

I Love being a turtle
http://firstshowing.net Andrew Adair

Just another tidbit of information for the Turtle fans out there: Steve Barron (director of the '90 version of TMNT) said that he has alot of cut footage from the original film, and they are trying to put together a directors cut to re-release on DVD in the near future.
Splinter

I cant wait, and origins would be awesome and i am sure they will do all red masks, looking forward to this !!! #7- your an idot
andries price

im ready for it chris pine as leonardo brad pitt as rapheal robbie amell as donatello and nick palatas as michealengo kate melton as venus they become teenage mutant ninja turtles they will vursus the shredder played by mummy 3's jet li im glad jet li plays the shredder so i will see the new tmnt movie in theatres 2011 see ya.
http://askmewhen.net N DeGraaf

I have to say i have been waiting to here about this since i first turned the pages of the originals comics. This is what need to happen to create a whole new era along with making up for all the coring crap people used as sales ploys. thanks for always being on top of stuff and keeping us up to date. I look forward to the future leaks.
thomas smith

I am completely looking foward to seeing the turtles new n improved movie. the graphics on the preview of the pic is excellent it looks like they been through the early 90's n still holding on as like if was human. thank you n i really love the way you guys have so much love for them as i do.
Dan

Wow... its been so long since I remember my first ninja turtle toy, and this article just brought back memories. I remember how happy I was. Well, I can't wait 'till 2011 comes and I simply can't wait for the new movie of the turtles. I have a feeling that the movie's gonna be great!!
Joku

I really hope they go the dark knight way, the new batman movies were great! Not all cheesy n colorful! I grew up watching ninja turtles, so most fans are around 25-28 yrs old.