"Ninja Turtles" Release Date Moved to August 8, 2014

Tweet

Deadline.com reports that the release date for next year's "Ninja Turtles" movie has been moved back from June 14, 2014, to August 8, 2014. The given likely reason is to put more space between it and Transformers 4, another Paramount production, which is slated for June 27, 2014.

Both of these have involved campaigns and a big merchandising component, and it was thought the studio would be better off spacing the two toy-tied films further apart than the 19 days it was looking at in the original scheduling configuration. Of course, this puts TMNT just one week away from Marvel Studio’s next superhero franchise launch Guardians Of The Galaxy, which opens August 1.

And yes, if you were paying attention last week, you'll recall that August 8 is my birthday! Woohoo!

First "Ninja Turtles" 2014 Poster Revealed

Tweet

There's been a bit of debate about whether next year's new TMNT movie is still titled "Ninja Turtles," as was originally announced, or if the title has been changed to "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." Director's chairs on-set have the full title. Now, at the licensing expo currently happening in Las Vegas, Paramount is displaying a simple text-only poster with the "Ninja Turtles" title.

With any luck we'll get some concrete information at Comic-Con in San Diego next month.

On-Set Director's Chair

The Turtles in "Ninja Turtles" Get Named

Tweet

Just days after the revelation that Alan Ritchson will be playing Raphael in next year's Ninja Turtles movie, Deadline.com has announced the actors who will be playing the remaining three Turtles. According to their sources, Pete Ploszek will play Leonardo, Jeremy Howard will play Donatello, and Noel Fisher will play Michelangelo.

More casting announcements are sure to be announced shortly, with Shredder, Splinter, and Casey Jones being the (likely) remaining lead roles.

"Ninja Turtles" Filming and Casting Updates

Tweet

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports that next year's "Ninja Turtles" movie will film scenes at Big Tupper Ski Area, in Tupper Lake, NY, which currently sits dormant.

The movie is mainly being shot in New York City, but Paramount went to the state to find a ski slope where it would be able to shoot part of the action, said village Mayor Paul Maroun. 

Posted signs tell visitors to stay out of the Big Tupper Ski Area while a movie is being filmed there. 

"They needed a ski resort that was closed," Maroun said. "Big Tupper fit it perfectly."

Unfortunately, this news most likely means that the current working script is still based around the script that was leaked online last summer.

E-mail script/filming info and/or set pictures! Anonymity will be maintained!

In other news, actor Alan Ritchson has confirmed that he has been cast as Raphael in the movie.

To answer ur tweets, YES I'm Raphael.I u think u know what to expect, u have NO idea.. You won't be disappointed.Trust me.. #TMNT
— Alan Ritchson (@alanritchson) March 22, 2013

It is assumed that Mr. Ritchson will be doing motion capture work for the role, although it is not confirmed it he will also be performing the voice.

With filming just about to begin, we should be hearing more casting information any time now. The only other known cast member at the moment is Megan Fox as April O'Neil.

"Ninja Turtles" Movie Pushed Back to June 6, 2014

Tweet

Less than a week after the announcement that Megan Fox has been cast as April O'Neil in next year's Ninja Turtles movie, comes the news that Paramount has pushed back the release date from May 16, 2014 to June 6, 2014.

Speculation is that Paramount moved the release date so as not to compete with a new Godzilla movie, which is scheduled for May 16. As of right now, Ninja Turtles is free from competition on its new June release date.

Michael Bay Casts Megan Fox in "Ninja Turtles"

Tweet

With filming for next year's Ninja Turtles film apparently ready to begin in April, it's about time for us to start hearing casting news. Michael Bay himself has created a bit of a stir with a brief statement on his official website.

TMNT: we are bringing Megan Fox back into the family!

Despite getting fired from the Transformers series between Transformers 2 and Transformers 3, it would seem that Bay has decided to give Fox another chance to be in one of his films. Of course, as of right now there is no official confirmation via Paramount, so we can only speculate as to what role she might be playing. But the obvious role in a TMNT story would be April O'Neil. It shouldn't be too long before we get confirmation on this and other casting decisions.

UPDATE: Numerous sources are now confirming that Fox will be playing April O'Neil in the upcoming movie.

"Ninja Turtles" to Begin Filming in New York in April

Tweet

Principle photography on TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, is scheduled to begin this April in New York.
— Production Weekly (@prodweek) January 12, 2013

While no details are currently available, the above tweet showed up over the weekend, declaring that filming on the upcoming live action TMNT movie would begin in New York starting in April. Previously, the movie had been scheduled to film in Vancouver (before getting shut down back in June). It is likely that New York filming will consist of establishing shots, considering the lower cost of shooting a movie in Vancouver.

Whatever the case, this news means that the movie is ready to start moving forward again. Let's just hope the script has been completely rewritten so that it doesn't at all resemble the absolute piece of crap script that was leaked online over the summer.

"Ninja Turtles" Movie Not To Be Delayed Too Long

Tweet

Last week's announcement that production on the new TMNT movie scheduled for 2013, which was just about to begin in Vancouver, had been suddenly shut down came as a bit of a shock. As more details became available, it was discovered that the movie has, at this point, only been delayed for about five months.

Variety reports that the new target release date for the project is May 16, 2014.

Sources say "Turtles" was pushed because the filmmakers and studio felt they wouldn't be ready for the October shoot date. Paramount had no comment. 

The shutdown is not indefinite and the plan is to work on the script over the next couple of weeks in order to beef up the material and bring the budget down slightly.

It sounds like there are concerns about the script in its current state, but they're not starting over from scratch, so it's unknown if the "alien" element of the story will remain or not. But if they're trying to bring the budget down, it may be that they need to tone down the amount of effects-heavy space elements. It will certainly be interesting to see how this develops!

New "Ninja Turtles" Movie Cancelled?

Tweet

An annonymous e-mailer has written in stating that the new TMNT movie that was to film in Vancouver this summer/fall for a Christmas 2013 release has, apparently, been shut down.

The e-mailer, who works in the Vancouver film industry, states that this went down suddenly just yesterday, apparently due to the massive amounts of negative backlash that followed Michael Bay's revelation that the story was to be spaced-based and that the Turtles would now be aliens.

However, although the current production has been halted, there will likely be (yet) another script written for an eventual movie. Maybe...

Ain't It Cool is also now reporting this news.

Michael Bay's "Ninja Turtles" to Film in Vancouver This Fall

Tweet

TheProvince.com has picked up on buzz around Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, that would have the new TMNT movie, currently titled "Ninja Turtles," filming in the city late summer/fall of this year.

This is in line with statements from director Jonathan Liebman earlier this year saying that they were looking at filming in Canada this summer/fall.

"Ninja Turtles" is scheduled for release Christmas 2013.

Potential Kevin Eastman Movie Concept Art Surfaces

Tweet

Yesterday, Scott Mescudi posted a curious piece of Kevin Eastman art to his Tumblr account (and, likewise, to Twitter). He states that it was a gift given to him by Andrew Form and Brad Fuller of Platinum Dunes, the company producing the new movie.

The piece, which appears to be a print, is dated 2012 and depicts a Turtle in what could be Casey Jones-like gear. (Or, dare I say it - Alien gear?)

Thanks to the one and only Ernie Reyes, Jr. for bringing this to attention on Facebook!

New Movie to be Called "Ninja Turtles" - Michael Bay Clarifies Why

Tweet

Still worked up about Michael Bay's "alien" comments from a couple weeks ago, another wave of Internet rage seems to have emerged with the revelation that the working title of the film is simply "Ninja Turtles." People seem to be interpreting this as a way to delete both the mutant and teenage aspects of the characters from the film. However, in another statement made on his official message boards, Bay clarifies that the title change was made by Paramount (not Bay) to simplify the title. In his full statement, he also reiterates that great care is going into the movie to make it something the fans are going to love.

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.
MICHAEL

Of course, saying "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" repeatedly gets tiring quite fast, and pretty much everyone has simplified it to "Ninja Turtles" anyways. Considering that there are also already three movies that start with "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," differentiating this new movie from the old ones is a no-brainer.

Director Jonathan Liebesman Comments on New TMNT Movie

Tweet

While doing press for the upcoming Wrath of the Titans, Jonathan Liebesman finally had a chance to have his own say about the recent "alien" controversy in an interview with Collider.com. And in doing so, he pretty much confirms that the Turtles themselves aren't going to be aliens. He actually said all the right things that should make any TMNT fan ready to embrace and be excited for this movie.

"Look, it's so funny—if everyone was such a die-hard fan, they would know that the TCRI canisters where the ooze comes from. That is alien ooze. Now I'm not saying what Michael said is exactly what the movie is, because we're sitting in a room now figuring everything out. So we don't know, but we are like Michael said: we're expanding it, and the expansion will be true to the mythology. I promise you: fans will love it."

He also commented that this isn't just going to be an action movie.

"We're definitely into the action, but for me what's more important than that is that it's a story about brotherhood and friendship and responsibility. Right now, I'm with the characters because those are what attracted me to the movie. They're the best characters I'll have had a chance to deal with."

These comments alone should be enough to satisfy fans that this movie is going in the right direction and that, for now at least, there's no need for nerd rage.

Further details speak to Kevin Eastman's involvement in the film:

"A lot of it is stuff he’s wanted to do for a long time, but just hasn’t had the opportunity [before, but] now we have the budget ... on this film to expand it in the right way."

Finally, Liebesman mentions that the film could be filming in Canada sometime around September, and that they're looking at rendering the Turtles with motion capture suits, similar to Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

TMNT Creators Weigh-In On Bay's Turtles

Tweet

Kevin Eastman drawing secret stuff.
Photo by: Jonathan Liebesman

When Michael Bay posted a comment to his official message boards responding to the outrage over the revelation of "alien" Turtles, he mentioned that he was working with one of the original creators on the project. It was easy to speculate that that person was Kevin Eastman, but Kevin has now confirmed that with a brief update to his Facebook page.

Hey Guys, Sorry to have been away for so long--completely swamped with work--but it is some pretty exciting stuff. I had been invited to check out the TMNT film development by my friend Scott Mednick over the years, and a while back had a full look behind the curtain at what writers Appelbaum and Nemec, director Liebesman, and producer Bay are doing--and trust me--it IS AWESOME. I'm officially on board, and will share more as I'm allowed… thanks all!

So, it looks like Kevin is behind the project 100%. And that's good enough assurance for me.

Meanwhile, Peter Laird has posted some of his own musings on the topic on his blog, although he has no personal involvement in the project and knows only as much as the rest of us do. He also drew a cute little alien Turtle.

Michael Bay Responds to "Alien" Outrage

Tweet

As you most likely know by now, Michael Bay created a bit of Internet outrage last week with some comments he made about the new TMNT movie, scheduled for release Christmas 2013. Here's the entirety of the current controversy:






There are several possible interpretations, but "These Turtles are from an alien race," seems pretty straight forward. Although the Turtles have always been Earth-based, their origin in the original comic books and 4Kids TV series came from an ooze created by the alien Utroms. However, when taken at face value, Bay's comments really do seem to indicate that the Turtles themselves are now going to be aliens. What's a fan to think?

Well, let's keep some things in mind, especially before declaring that Michael Bay is ruining the TMNT. Even though he made this presentation, he is still only a producer on the project. He did not write the script and he is not directing.

Just a short while ago, on his official message boards, Mr. Bay responded to all the outrage:

Fans need to take a breath, and chill. They have not read the script. Our team is working closely with one of the original creators of Ninja Turtles to help expand and give a more complex back story. Relax, we are including everything that made you become fans in the first place. We are just building a richer world.   

Michael

It's safe to assume that the creator being spoken about is Kevin Eastman. Not only is Peter Laird absolutely not involved in any of the new projects, but Kevin mentioned having seen the script in an interview late last year during the Lost Angeles: 35 Days of Kevin Eastman event at Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles.

I think for the time being we all owe it to the involved persons to keep an open mind and give this thing a chance. Literally all we know about anything at this point is seven words. And the story and appeal of the Turtles is a lot deeper than their origin.

New TMNT Movie Officially Scheduled for December 2013

Tweet

Deadline.com is reporting tonight that the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, which has been in development for several years now, has an official release date scheduled for Christmas 2013.

And with all signs pointing at the movie moving forward into production, Jonathan Liebesman has been named director. Just a month ago he was rumored to be in talks for the job.

The movie is said to be a live action-CGI combo, although there are no specifics are mentioned on exactly how the Turtles themselves will be realized.

Jonathan Liebesman in Talks to Direct TMNT Movie

Tweet

Variety reported late last night that "Battle: Los Angeles" director Jonathan Liebesman is in talks to direct the new TMNT movie from Paramount, which has been in development for over two years now.

Brad Fuller, producer on the film, has been dropping hints on Twitter that things are moving along with it and that he hopes to be making it by summer.

After several screenwriter changes, signs are pointing to this project finally becoming a reality!

Turtles in Time Re-Shelled Going Away June 30

Tweet

Joystiq.com is reporting that TMNT Turtles in Time Re-Shelled will no longer be available after June 30, due apparently to Ubisoft's TMNT license expiring. Turtles in Time Re-Shelled is, of course, the X-Box Live Arcade and Playstation Network updated version of the classic arcade and SNES game. Obviously, if you have not yet purchased the game and you wish to, you should do so now without delay. However, it is also interesting to note the expiration of Ubisoft's license. Does this take them off the table for any upcoming games related to Nickelodeon's new CGI series, or the eventual movie from Paramount? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Thanks to Harris for the tip!

Writers for TMNT Movie Reboot Named ... Again

Tweet

First it was John Fusco, then it was Art Marcum and Matt Halloway. Hopefully the third time is a charm, as Deadline.com is now reporting Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec as the new writers on board the planned Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot film from Paramount.

Script problems have been reported for awhile now, and have caused the projected release date to quietly slide from 2011 to 2012. Although there's been no official word from Nickelodeon or Paramount, the new movie is now not expected to see release before 2013.

Next TMNT Movie Pushed Back to 2013?

Tweet

John Pannozzi at The Technodrome found an article on ToonZone.net that basically reiterates the "First Look" news from the Wall Street Journal Earlier this week. However, there is this little tidbit at the end of the short article:

A live-action feature film is also in the works and is currently being scripted by Iron Man writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. The movie has a projected release date of 2013.

While problems with the script have been documented for the last year or so, there has been no mention of changing the original projected release date of 2012. And while there is no specific source given for the new 2013 date in this article, it would only make good sense to push the movie back a year. At this point in time, with the script still not finalized (although signs point to this being close to finished), pumping out a movie of this scale in a year could only turn out crappy. So here's hoping that everything is in motion to give us a kick-ass movie come 2013.