BREAKING: Nickelodeon Acquires Global Rights to TMNT

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News is spreading across the various wire services and news Web sites this morning that Nickelodeon has apparently acquired the global rights to the TMNT.

It is also being reported that they will develop a CG-animated TV series that will be concurrent with the existing movie project, which is now slated for 2012 and will be distributed and backed by Paramount.

The deal is apparently worth $60 million and the current TMNT TV series will continue to run on CWKids through August 31, 2010. Here's a sample of the press release, which is available in full on Reuters:

NEW YORK, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Furthering its mission to provide premium content to its audiences, Nickelodeon--part of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B)--has acquired the global rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from The Mirage Group and 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE). The acquisition provides Nickelodeon, the world's number-one entertainment brand for kids, global intellectual property rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the hit television, film and video game property that has delighted kids around the world for the last 25 years. The aggregate purchase price for the transactions is approximately $60 million.


Nickelodeon also announced plans to develop a new CG-animated television series based on the popular superhero franchise, anticipated to premiere in 2012. Additionally, in partnership with Viacom's Paramount Pictures, a new release of a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feature film is also planned for 2012. Nickelodeon has also acquired all merchandising rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and will continue to work with its original and long-standing toy partner, Playmates Toys, which has been the creative force behind the successful TMNT master toy program over the last two decades.


"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shares a comedic sensibility with the Nickelodeon DNA, with added layers of action and fantasy that have kept this property an evergreen favorite with multiple generations of audiences," said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. "We are extremely happy to have the opportunity to be able to focus on this property and creatively re-introduce it to a new generation of kids."


"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a property that maintains a very passionate global fan base, is rich with opportunity for a tentpole movie, and is exactly the right property for us to work together with Nickelodeon," said Adam Goodman, President, Paramount Pictures.


"Mirage has been the proud keeper of the Turtles' brand since 1984, and in 2009 we celebrated their 25th anniversary with our legions of fans," said Gary Richardson, CEO, Mirage Studios. "Nickelodeon is a powerhouse global brand, and we are confident that the company will be a wonderful steward for Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello and all the other TMNT characters and take them in all kinds of exciting and new creative directions."

Stay tuned to Ninja Pizza as details on this become more clear, particularly concerning what, exactly, this means for the future.

"Mirage Universe" Book with Exclusive Bookplate Available For Order

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PanelToPanel.net now has the upcoming Mirage Universe sourcebook available for pre-order. While supplies last, all copies of the book ordered through PanelToPanel will include an exclusive book plate (below), created by Dan Berger. These always sell out quickly, so get your orders in now!

Preview Clip from "Turtles Forever"

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Astute Technodrome forum member WEB4KIDZ has found the first preview clip from "Turtles Forever"! You can check it out at WorldScreen.com, or below.

And check it out - "Ninja Pizza" representing!

Best TMNT Deal on the Internet!!

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If you aren't familiar with mega-TMNT fan Tokka's artwork, you should be. Not only is he the biggest TMNT fan around, but his artwork is the most unique and equally fantastic you're gonna find. If you've ever wanted a piece of Tokka's art for your very own, now is the best opportunity ever to get it. He is currently offering his promotional 1-inch buttons to anyone who wants one, completely for free (plus shipping). If you make a donation to Tokka in addition to the shipping cost, he'll send you a piece of art done to your request along with your button!

All of the details are available on the ordering page, but here's the short of it:

• $1 donations receive a small sketch
• $5 donations get your choice of b/w or color art
• $10 donations are standard sized illustrations on Bristol!

Remember to include in your PayPal note what TMNT character you want and/or what you want sketched.

Offer is only good through Halloween, so don't delay! Tokka is going places, and this is your best chance to get a piece from him before prices skyrocket! If you weren't aware, his art has already been published as the pin-up page for Tales of the TMNT Vol. 2 #48!!

Here are some examples of the sketches he's completed so far for his button promotion:

Click Here To Order!

President Obama Loves the Ninja Turtles

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Jimmy Fallon, of the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon show, is an expert at deducing the many faces of President Barack Obama. On last night's show, Fallon revealed Obama's fanboy love for the TMNT.

"Turtles Forever" Theatrical Screenings CANCELED

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Less than a week after the event appeared on the Fathom Events Web site, the "Turtles Forever" one-night-only screenings have all been canceled.

The following message was posted on TMNT25.com today:

Unfortunately, 4Kids Entertainment and Mirage Studios were unable to reach an agreement with Fathom Entertainment to present the “Turtles Forever” special event.
We will keep our Turtles fan base informed as we work on a new distribution plan for this exciting project.
As always, we thank you for your support.
-4Kids Entertainment & Mirage Studios

While the event was still listed on the Fathom Events site this morning, it has since been revised and now simply states, "Due to unforseen circumstances this event will not be shown in theatres."

The TMNT25.com message, which refers to being unable to reach an agreement with Fathom Entertainment, is quite curious, as one usually assumes those kinds of details are already in place before the event gets listed on the site.

Further details about why the event was canceled are scarce, although a 4Kids employee made this slightly cryptic comment on the Technodrome fan forum:

On the bright side - without going into details - if there is any possibility of seeing this anywhere else this year this is the way it has to be.

Lets hope 4Kids and Mirage have a kickass backup plan in mind, because missing out on the national exposure even a one-night-only event would give to the project for anything less than awesome would not only be a disappointment for fans, but a huge missed opportunity for the franchise as a whole.

Complete Listing of "Turtles Forever" Screening Theaters

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Reira on The Technodrome forums found the complete listing of participating theaters for the "Turtles Forever" screening event.

You can see the entire list of theaters here (and this list is HUGE, so there's probably a location near you!):

Participating TMNT Theaters