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Michael Bay Confirms New TMNT Film Simply Called 'Ninja Turtles'

by Ethan Anderton
March 27, 2012
Source: Shoot for the Edit

Last week there were some more rumblings about the forthcoming new take on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from producer Michael Bay, and his Platinum Dunes production banner, and Clash of the Titans director Jonathan Liebesman. Rumors were floating around that the film was going to go only by the title Ninja Turtles, which would make practical sense since Bay's fan-crushing news about the turtles actually being aliens, or as we've heard from our source, inter-dimensional beings from a whole race of turtles. Now Bay has confirmed the title, but claims the change actually comes from Paramount's marketing department.

Fans again got bent out of shape about this news because it seemed in addition to the lack of "mutant" from the title, the missing "teenage" portion somehow implied that they wouldn't be young amphibious warriors anymore. This comes even after a more recent live-action television venture went by "Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation" in the late 90's with teenage turtles hamming it up. Anyway, Bay confirmed the news on his Shoot for the Edit site, along with more fan reassurance that they're not tearing apart the TMNT universe:

"Paramount marketing changed the name. They made the title simple. The characters you all remember are exactly the same, and yes they still act like teenagers. Everything you remember, why you liked the characters, is in the movie. This script is being developed by two very smart writers, with one of the original creators of Ninja Turtles. They care VERY MUCH about making this film for the fans. Everyone on this team cares about the fans. Just give them a chance. Jonathan the director, is a major fan of the whole franchise. HE’S NOT GOING TO LET YOU DOWN"

Honestly, I'm still siding with Bay on this one. Fans have really gotten a little too bent out of shape about this without reading a script to see whether or not the characters are true to the original comic books, regardless of how their existence came to be. The difference between having a mutogen in the form of ooze or having the heroes in a half-shell come from another dimension, planet, etc. is irrelevant. So much of the film's success will come from the script, the story, its tone, style, and especially a love for the characters, which Bay clearly says are still very much true to form. It's reactions like this that make it so hard for original ideas to manifest because people get scared when you change a slight detail in something they feel is somehow owed to them. Let's just let these guys work and see what they come up with on the big screen.

Filed under Development, Movie News

From around the web:

HarryFiddleSticks

Yeah, I'm not going to see this in the cinemas. I've given up on stuff that has to do with Michael Bay a long time ago.
Voice of Reason

alt. article title: "World Confirms Bay Simply Called 'Douchebag.' Still Hands Him Money "
Jdjohnson8807

Senior Mutant Ninja Turtles! Turtles in a rest home!
- Greatbritain2k3
  
  haha nice robot chicken reference
- Ender
  
  Hey, they did that in the original cartoon. A movie version could be funny.
Isildur_of_Numenor

And now a bit of MB bashing, just for the sake of it. [Insert Wolverine quote here]: Go fuck yourself!
- son_et_lumiere
  
  i'm no fan of Bay, but i'll resist drinking the haterade just for the sake of it. he's not directing. i always thought TMNT were fun, although i'm no TMNT obsessive. but i have real issues with Platinum Dunes. they are cookie cutter chancers with all the original thought of a monkey in a banana processing plant. they are responsible for the pointless travesties that are the remakes of *all* of A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, The Hitcher, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Amityville Horror. none better than the originals, all shallow retreads with dollar signs writ large all over them. TMNT fans, now it's your turn.
  - Isildur_of_Numenor
    
    Had a bit of fun. It's the last time though, I'm done drinking. Time to puke. But it just bothers me every time I hear MB/Platinum Dunes is taking on a project (as a producer) that already ran its course; and he "tries" to "revive" it. Or, in this case, TMNT, which I think still has potential, his track record (as a producer or director) doesn't inspire too much confidence. Nor does Jonathan Liebesman. And I'm not pleased with what I'm hearing so far. Guess we'll just have to wait... Nice to hear from you!
    - son_et_lumiere
      
      i know what you mean about Platinum Dunes' 'reviving' old projects. they are the film equivalent of a financial vulture fund. but you're quite right, we should just wait and see - everyone usually makes at least one good film (after all, even Joel Schumacher managed Falling Down). likewise!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ5hK-D8kRQ Crapola

I just hope he makes them Jamaican.
- Vaporeon
  
  I see what you did there.
http://www.millus.org/ Millus

What´s about Arnold Bernid "Casey" Jones? Hope he doesnt became an alien too now. )))
- Jericho
  
  he will be a vampire....with feelings...and an infinite ammo locket rauncher....
Toogy1206

Turtle Walkers!
Toogy1206

" Senior Mutant Ninja Turtles! Turtles in a rest home!" Turtle Walkers!
SV7

Changes to the title and origin story may not be desirable, but they won't be the reason this movie sucks, if it ends up sucking. The thing that worries me the most is Bay's idea of what is cool and funny. This made the TRANSFORMERS movies mostly unwatchable and at times, appalling. Can't wait for the Ninja Turtles to be yelling: Pussy! Dickhead! Wassup bitches! For April to be dressed like a hooker with the camera pointing up her ass. Shit - Michelangelo is going to end up humping her leg, isn't he...?
- Stevenfreestyler
  
  Have a high feeling that Michelangelo will hump April's leg under Micheal bays supervision to honor that disgusting robot showed up humping Megan fox's leg in Transformers... This is gonna be a real trashy and a disgusting movie to watch... better pass the pop corn and watch something else.. not gonna waste my money on this..
- tacoterry
  
  D-bag
RudyP

Yet another franchise for Bay to bastardize. He's a high budget Uwe Boll.
- Jericho
  
  THANK YOU GOD THAT SOMEONE SAYS IT OTHER THAN ME!!!!!
- Tekkierat
  
  Best way to put it!
Beardedpwnsauce

Everyone did read the part where it said he's producing and not directing right? And it sounds like he won't be contributing much to the writing. Just saying, sounds like everyone on this forum needs to learn to wait and see how things unfold before getting their panties in a bunch
http://www.facebook.com/MikeCSS Mike Cannon

I guess I will see it when it eventually gets to Netflix / DVD... I saw the first transformers movie in the cinema - largely because I wanted to see the new camaro / bumblebee, rented the 2nd on blue ray - and still have not seen the turd.... I mean the third.... I love RudyP's comment - "High Budget Uwe Boll " !
- Richie G
  
  I did the same thing. Obviously, not everybody learned their lesson from Transformers 2, because now there's another one on the way. The culture of disregarding reviews and going to see a movie to 'form your own opinion' really has to stop
Born2bbat

Aliens...REALLY!!!!!!!!! where the hell does splinter fit in to this "design"???
- guest
  
  holy... your right they cant have splinter be an alien and what...also that makes me wonder about the shredder how are they going to update him if they made the turtles aliens they might make shreder a alien hunter or somthing
  - Cerrivess
    
    Shredder was an alien.in one of the cartoon movies they ended up showing him as a minature alien octopus like thingy lol
Scrihfield1

Bay should quit making movies and work at burger king. Oh wait! He'd mess that up too. "I know you want a cheeseburger but I'm gonna give you chicken sandwich."
- Stevenfreestyler
  
  burger king will be destroyed.... those burgers there tastes real good!!!
Stevenfreestyler

OH NOOO!!!!!!!!.. Transformers was sent to mount doom and now this its the turtle's turn??!!! I'm so sorry turtles... May you guys rest in peace...
TimberWolf5871

Maybe now ppl will stop hating it before it's even hit the filming stage.. OH WAIT! This is the internet. They're gonna hate it for the sake of hating it. Fucking grow up people.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Clark-Kentt/100001546137221 Clark Kentt

We should all fucking protest and not go see the film.
- Banana
  
  I agree! How can he think he can just come and fuck up everybodys childhood? if this is a joke its not FUCKING funny!!!!! I HATE THIS!
Thexn

If only we could harness the power of nerd-rage, then the fury I feel in my heart alone would be enough to power Asia. Also, has anyone ever noticed you never see Uwe Boll and Michael Bay in the same place at the same time? Coincidence? Or special effects?
Forkfiend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFYO43UCMYE
http://profile.yahoo.com/F533SMFQPD6DVW5JSM4ISFOPBE will

"It's reactions like this that make it so hard for original ideas to manifest because people get scared when you change a slight detail in something..." WHAT THE HELL are you talking about? hard for "original" ideas to manifest? if you want original ideas, create a new movie and not a remake a series that has gone from comic, to tv show, to movies already. Also, to say that the origins of the turtles are irrelevant is dumb. That was one of the main topics in the series. Its clear you know nothing.
- Thisisstillmore
  
  Thank you for pointing that out.
- Richie G
  
  Yeah it does seem wise to cut to the chase and blame Bay for ruining TMNT now, saves on time and money Well done to Ethan for stayin so optimistic, whatever prescription he's on I'll take double
- Greg
  
  You took the words right out of my mouth, don't claim that this is original. These turtles have been around for a long time and have an established origin story. If he wants to make an "original" movie, why doesn't Bay come up with something all on his own instead of using established characters and stories like TMNT and Transformers.
Ian Start

"He's not going to let you down" Yeah i mean it's not like he did with Transformers or anything...
- Richie G
  
  You misquoted/ misinterpreted the statement... you're right though, Jonathan Liebesman had nothing to do with Transformers
  - Ian Start
    
    ah yes you're right i keep thinking Bay is directing haha. But i just dislike his involvement with most things ive seen. he should go back to music videos
- bozo connors
  
  Right? Jazz was a Porsche gawdammit. Bumblebee a Camaro... ha! Though I'm not a huge tmnt fan, I certainly feel their pain.
happy camper

as long as the alien turtles speak in ebonics ill be find with this... anything less would be just so unbelievable.
Ethanisamoron

Are you an idiot? Original ideas to manifest? How about creating something entirely new instead rebooting a series then we can call it an "original" idea.
IMI3OSS

April should be played by HIMYM star Cobie Smulders...it be perfect!
Fezcorrea91

if this movie fail, which it is, when I become a filmmaker, I will make a TMNT film with real story but make it darker (PG-13 rating)
jrlv

What are they thinking?? If I where to chose, Ill rather marry a Snookie from the jersey shore then paying to go see this.
Jeff Metzger

Here is my theory on the name change. We all know MB is only good at 2 things, explosions and exploiting woman. So in order to fill screen time with slow motion explosions. He really needs these turtles or their enemies to be packing some serious hardware. We clearly can't expect just mutant ninjas to have that kind of futuristic hardware, but alien turtles...
Alexx

The fact that the origin of the turtles is different doesn't surprise me, because it always is a little different each time, but taking away the mutagen is a very balls out move, since there aliens it leaves no room for splinter (a huge part of the turtles we now and love) How ever making the story line this different only gets me interested to see how this movie will turn out. So as a long term tmnt fan I was disappointed to here it was not going to be based on the comics, but also as a long term tmnt fan I'm excited to see something new. Good luck Bay your gonna need it!
- Banana
  
  You bet he's going to need it!!! I respect how you think it could be just as good but I'm just going to tell you its going to be a HUGE FAILURE!!! ITS GOING TO FUCK UP EVERY1"S CHILDHOOD!!!!!! ITS IDIOTIC!!! I just HOPE they'll bring back the animated series! sadly thats all I can do. :'(
  - SayWhatNow?
    
    It's not going to screw up my childhood. If I don't like it, I'm going to forget the movie ever came into existence.
jah p

Once I see the designs of the turtles and a trailer, then I'll decide whether to bash Michael Bay or not...
Ric900119

Michael Bay just needs to stop making repeats of movies evrything he's involved in is poop Friday the 13 cross bow corny freddy was shit and now he's messing with the "TEENAGE MUTANT ninja turtles" the whole point was the ooze that made them not coming from another fin planet get real how can you just completly change a movie this guys a joke I hope this movie makes shit for money what an ahole for destroying movies glad he doesn't make music his cretivity is crap
The Splinter

http://www.war-ofthe-worlds.co.uk/images/spaced_invaders_1_x.jpg soooo this is what he is going to make right not the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles right ???? Just want to make sure .... i mean only an idiot would take away from an original concept
http://www.facebook.com/people/Branndon-Fricks/600249206 Branndon Fricks

I'm not even a huge TMNT fan, but christ, you can't just wipe that much history away and make them aliens. That is some asinine BS. It's also confusing, what is wrong with them being mutants? I have never been into anything Michael Bay has had his hands on. Most of the time his movies are just a long explosion, but this is outright sacrilegious.
Rocker

Sure, this film will not be directed by Michael Bay, but I don't think that Jonathan Liebesman has a very bright career, he directed "The Texas chainsaw massacre: the beginning" for Crist sake!!!!!, you cannot defend this film saying it's going to be directed by JL, this only means that it's gonna be a turd sandwich
Navinkb

This isn't a Ninja Turtles movie anymore, this is Michael Bay's next movie project "Racist Alien Big-Boobed Explosions." THERE! I SAID IT!
Dick Strong

fuck bay and Leibesman
Meh

What producers/writers/directors need to understand is that people like things from their childhood, and if this thing is not like it was from their childhood they will reject it. In short, "I like, what I liked, the way I liked it."
Lunar27

"people get scared when you change a slight detail" We grew up with every movie and tv series always talking about the mutation from the ooze. They are the Teenage MUTANT Ninja Turtles. That's not a slight change in detail.
Jinglexiv

honestly after growing up on TMNT, and seeing what happened to Transformers (has a copy of the 1980's original) I'm just not going to bother seeing it. i know most people think the origin things are small, but to me the back story is the foundation of the show. Without it, shit just isn't the same.
Forbeskin

Sweet, so it's basically like howard the duck then, but with turtles that are ninjas. Awesome, good rewrite.
Banana

If he thinks that making them aliens will make kids think they're real then his mind must be really fucked up! Its SUPPOSED to be fake! thats where the imagination and creativity comes from! Its what makes it so great! He's not even changing the show he's making a whole new one! He's so FUCKING stupid!!! I hope it says on his grave that he ruined everybodys childhood! What happend to the animated series??? I just want to watch them again NOTHING will ever be tha same because ASS HOLES like him are always changing everything awsome into an IDIOTIC idea! I just know that this so called change will ruin the ENTIRE thing... nothing in my life will ever be the same Ps. I am only 11 years old (I don't actually EVER swear) so now I haft to go my whole life having to go through this..... I think I might just go KILL MYSELF so I won't haft to go through the pain and sorrow of my ONLY thing I've ever actually liked or even enjoyed disappear into nothing... this is too sad :'( I HATE THAT DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >:'(
- Banana
  
  On his grave it better say how FUCKING much he ruined my life, passion, imagination, ect. This is making my heart brake thinking about having to loose all of my childhood. I hope that guy reads this all and see's how FUCKING much I HATE him!!! I hope he die's in pain like I will from this!
mayonga

Excuse me!? Slight things like origin story!? Oh, why not, make the turtles aliens, Splinter-God-knows-what, April half-naked, and don't forget, lots of explosions! Forget Uwe Boll, MB is Tommy Wiseau with budget. I'm speechless.
Thagreatsheffield

Aliens thats wack the way they start has alot to do whith characters im revolting! Fire these guys now !
Jbravo2312

If this "slight" detail was "irrelevant" millions of fans wouldn't be outraged, lol, let's remake wizard of oz and make Dorothy of fun loving little boy from the big city, but don't worry we ll just give the writers a chance, right? You sound ridiculous Ethan, stop Swinging off Bay's nutz
Dunk_master_3

Fans bent out of shape and we have read a script to see if it sticks to original comic books?? Are they serious? Of course it's not the original you only have to read the title to find out its not the same. They really screwed up a great classic with Michael Bay as a director.
Takebackthesewers

Screw you Michael Bay. http://www.takebackthesewers.com
Frew

F#ck you Michael bay ruining my childhood and f#cking ruining other people childhood
- Drew
  
  Am 12 years old and he ruined my childhood
zydos

"The difference between having a mutogen in the form of ooze or having the heroes in a half-shell come from another dimension, planet, etc. is irrelevant" So what, Bruce Wayne's parents getting murdered is irrelevant? Spider-Man getting bitten by a radioactive spider? The Hulk getting blasted with gama rays? Superman being from Krypton? Dude, the origin of heroes is what MAKES them THEM. It's completely relevant. You sir are a patoot, with all due respect.
Mobius10880

How can you say that the use of mutagen or them being aliens is irrelevant, they are the teenage mutant ninja turtles. ITS IN THE NAME!!. its a long list of them taking a great series that everyone loves and just completely changing it thinking they can do a better story line. I hope it fails and Bay loses everything.
OG_TMNT_FAN

I have a problem with this statement in the article. "It's reactions like this that make it so hard for original ideas to manifest because people get scared when you change a slight detail in something they feel is somehow owed to them." Last time I looked at the word original in the dictionary it didn't mean take and rewrite somthing that already existed and call it somthing else. If anything what the writers are doing is UNoriginal and UNcreative and only changing the script because they can't write anything creative and original and have to throw their crap ideas in a story that was creative and original
Guadzilla123

Transformers was bad but tmnt boo
Amanda-Beth

I am now amused by thd news yeah I raged raged over. The cgi movie already ruined turtles I know and love will I watch bay flick no just as much as wouldn't watch 1 produces by james cameron their pictires suck ti be and both in my opion tend to be highly racist. Be being a mutt including native american and having half sibs that have latino blood in them I find those 2 producers movies really offence not that I am not curious on disasters they create however prinicpals say don't watch them.
Apcregan

whats next all the pokemon are actually super advanced aliens in disguise or duel monsters are not holigrams they are really ghosts from another universe
HugoNowhere

This is going to be so gay
Bobhebenstriet

When does the movie come out is all I want to no!!!
BayLovesYou

This is why Michael Bay is making millions upon millions, movie after movie, and you guys are overly jealous, crying and complaining about him.....Who is the douche bag?
ambiguish

"Fans have really gotten a little too bent out of shape about this…" Really?? Are you kidding or do you actually believe this? That's like saying fans of Green Lantern should be fine with him instead being the Purple Lantern, and a lifeguard; or, ya know, Major America actually sounds better… and he should be from Guatemala instead…yeah! It's an unnecessary change just so Bay can wipe his dick on something.
jonah vail syx

I liked transformers A lot cause of shia lebouf (misspell) and can agree too much about people but still somebody made one same for the turtles some body is giving us what others wont and look over, just give it a chance and see if its crap hell atleast the pple who made batman is making it
kkemi

Bay just better not fuck up my favorite characters!!!! They're too good for that!!!But scince I've been watching this show scince i was like, 5, I'd like to see the turtles grow up with my tastes and get a little more serious and badass...that's something I'd definetly look forward to!
Kappa!!

The turtles don't come from space actually, the ooze they mutate in is now going to be ALIEN OOZE! So, they're still mutants, but, in alien goo. So, it's like, no change, except, you know, people are more idiotic, so now they don't even realize when aliens are dumping stuff into the sewers!=.= "Mommy whats that giant spaceship doing?" "Dumping waste into the sewers! Now shuddap"
http://www.facebook.com/shawn.mccarthy.56 Shawn Mccarthy

Im with you if they change the origin then its not the same. The MUTANT is part of who they are. Their not extradimensional turtles from space what the fuck is that? If it turns out that they change this to make it worse and ruin the charecters that so many of us still love, then they might as well just shit on the memory of everyones childhood. FUCK YOU michael bay.
- frost
  
  Iv'e got all TMNT collections I'm a huge fan.How r they gonna describe the background of the so called alien turtles on how they were born ,I mean come on MB how the fuck does a turtle end up in space,splinter is the reason why they r so awsome and he isn't even in the movie,he must go direct barney and friends.
- Kewoncolors
  
  I wanna see Leo kill people with his katanas. And crang and technodrome. But keep it a little dark and mysterious like the first film. Probably not gonna happen will see.
http://www.facebook.com/SqueegieBeckenheim Cassie Cowan

The difference between having a mutogen in the form of ooze or having the heroes in a half-shell come from another dimension, planet, etc. is irrelevant. Disagree...And I almost want to call your bluff on being an actual TMNT fan if you can call this change "irrelevant."
sick of cry babies like u all

u all suck balls this would b a badass movie u dumb f***s transformers was badass to so mayb u all should stop judging shit and shut the hell up and let them make the f***ing movie
Louis

did this bitch say a SLIGHT change in detail? um thats a big change lol... they are MUTANTS, what are you going to do, make a elvis movie and have a black dude play him, and he's going to be a jazz drummer too? lol would you cast an asian to play 2pac in a movie? and then he said KIDS WILL BELIEVE THAT THEY EXIST. damn we already believed they exist lol, i thought i was one when i was a kid. who wants to be a freakin alien? noooobody, but we wanna be mutants like turtles and xmen characters, except for superman and people rather be batman than superman. thats like telling me MY DAD IS NOT MY DAD, but the other guy is loving and caring! lol
SayWhatNow?

"Honestly, I'm still siding with Bay on this one. Fans have really gotten a little too bent out of shape about this without reading a script to see whether or not the characters are true to the original comic books, regardless of how their existence came to be. The difference between having a mutogen in the form of ooze or having the heroes in a half-shell come from another dimension, planet, etc. is irrelevant." Ethan, no, sweetheart, no. My problem is that fact you said it's a SLIGHT change in detail. It is not slight, but a re-write of their origins. Slight is like a more realistic adaptation of the character's costume so it doesn't look cheesy on film. Or saying the TMNT mother was actually eaten by an sewer alligator (something off the top of my head story alteration), but they still became TMNT. Oh and lets not forget the comment "It's reactions like this that make it so hard for original ideas to manifest because people get scared when you change a slight detail in something they feel is somehow owed to them." Sweetheart, this is not an original idea. TMNT has been around for decades. This would be more appropriately called as a "What if," take on the original story. Get it right. Original ideas are something that is completely new to the market, not taking something that was already created and rebooting it. Again, get it right. But for fairness, I'll give Michael Bay a chance on this, but I'm honestly not enthused.
OR PICK A NAME

News scoop: Oruku Saki's name is changed to Hedranka Sake. The name Hamato Yoshi is changed to Homageto Yoshi Skuki. And the name of Tang Shen is now Putangs TenYen! You believe that?
big mike

I'll pass on this one. I'm a turtles fan since the begging and i feel with them being aliens totally ruins it for me and all other fans if they are a race of turtles then ware does splinter Fit in cuz he was an apprentice of the shredder and after he found the turtles they were his apprentices he's going to ruin the whole storey behind the tmnt if you want to make something original them come up with your own shit stop making remakes of old cartoons
Raspberry Tickle

I heard this is supposed to come out next year, 2014. (Sorry for necroposting, guys. I like being a necromancer) I did not know Michael Bay was directing this until I read this article. That really sucks. I grew up on TMNT and I'm a huge fan. If he fucks this up, I'm gonna be pissed. (Which, there is a 87.54% chance he will) I'd rather read awful fan-fics by insane fan girls than watch some idiot bastardize my childhood. *sigh* But, I have always wanted to see a more mature TMNT movie. With more violence and blood with little profanity. Not over the top, but sorta like how the Batman movies have become. But that's a different story. tsk...tsk....