TMNT CG movie info and release date

[R-iZZy]

Warner Bros. Pictures will handle domestic distribution of the first all-CGI-animated film in the popular "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" franchise, while the Weinstein Co. will take international territories.

Warners will release the film on March 30, 2007. An overseas release date was not announced.

TWC and Warners jointly acquired worldwide distribution rights last fall from Imagi Services, which obtained the production and distrib rights from the Mirage Group, which in turns owns and manages the popular kids franchise.

Animation vet Kevin Munroe is directing and writing. He developed the screenplay in consultation with "Turtles" comic book co-creator Peter Laird.

" 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' represents a brand that is widely recognized all around the world, and we think this new CG version will be a huge hit among audiences everywhere," said TWC co-chair Harvey Weinstein, who made the announcement with Warner Bros. Pictures prexy of distribution Dan Fellman.

Studio and TWC said the new PG-rated film will be slightly grittier than the three live-action "Turtles" movies released by New Line more than a decade ago. Combined, those three pics grossed more than $256 million at the U.S. box office.

Imagi USA prexy-CEO Thomas K. Gray, who produced two of the earlier "Turtles" films, and Galen Walker are producing. Francis Kao, Laird, Gary Richardson and Frederick Fierst are exec producers.

CGI animation is being created in Imagi's facility in Hong Kong.

[Barkworm]

March is not really the time to make big bucks, is it? :|

[Sewer Bull]

March is not really the time to make big bucks, is it? :|

True, but trying to release that movie later and compete such probable box-office-smashing sequels like Shrek 3, Spiderman 3, Indiana Jones 4, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix or The Hulk 2 would be very, very tough for TMNT CGI.:|

[Raph's Girl]

So in exactly 1 year and 22 days I'll be in the theatre with my folks watching the TMNT on the big screen. :evilgrin:

[VaughnMichael]

So in exactly 1 year and 22 days I'll be in the theatre with my folks watching the TMNT on the big screen. :evilgrin:
hopefully we wont be crying lol:lol:

[Jester]

Yeah!! And it's gonna be "grittier" than the other 3 which I'm not sure how they're gonna pull that off and maintain a PG rating. I think it should go PG-13, all the comic movies are nowadays, and they do really wel, right?

[jeff the cheff]

Thats the same date the first movie came out, only 17 years later.

I doubt that it will be darker than the first one, but its nice that they even try.

[Mandi-chan]

That news sounds promising!

Anyone want to take a wild guess on where I'll be next year on March 30?:D

[GK Punk]

Yeah!! And it's gonna be "grittier" than the other 3 which I'm not sure how they're gonna pull that off and maintain a PG rating. I think it should go PG-13, all the comic movies are nowadays, and they do really wel, right?

Ratings are more linient these days though. They can get away with more violence in a PG movie now, than they could have 20 years ago.

[AquaParade]

Do you think it will be more gritty than the current show?...i sure hope so.:ohwell:

[Jester]

Do you think it will be more gritty than the current show?...i sure hope so.:ohwell:
Well...considering the 1st movie is grittier than the NS, then yeah.

[jeff the cheff]

Ratings are more linient these days though. They can get away with more violence in a PG movie now, than they could have 20 years ago.

Nah, I disagree. I think they got away with more stuff in the old movie than they could get away with now.

[Torrant2]

Anyone been to the Imagi site recently? It's been updated. Not to much though just a pic of a sewer cover but if you click on the imagi link then cgi ninja turtles there's a small pic of Leo and Don.

[Sewer Bull]

Yeah, not much I'd say. A tiny pic in a terribly small resolution, wow, I'm all stunned.

But at least reading their interim report (with Leonardo on the cover) (http://www.imagi.com.hk/corporate/pdf/eimagi1513.pdf) was quite interesting for me, tho' I'm kinda worried with their declining financial condition. TMNT and Highlander might be their last chances to shine... or sink.

And here's another interesting excerpt from the report, concerning TMNT movie:

Through TMNT, which will be completed in early 2007 and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.
and The Weinstein Company LLC internationally, the Group is confident that its non-stop action and
great humor would not only give audiences worldwide a new look and feel of the franchise, but would
also create an unprecedented and exhilarating experience for CG animation fans.

The production model of TMNT, which leverages on both Hollywood creative talents via the Group’s
creative studio in Los Angeles and the proven efficiency and quality of the Group’s Hong Kong production
studio, continues to prove itself as a well fitted model as production progresses. The Group is actively
sourcing and creating several new and exciting titles for the future and will continue to adopt this model
through expanding its creative studio in USA and recruiting key Hollywood talents, as well as further
strengthening and growing its production base in Hong Kong. To provide a steady and robust source of
funding for the production of TMNT, the Group has completed a US$27.5 million film financing
with City National Bank of the USA, with a completion guarantee from cineFinance Insurance Services,
LLC, subsequent to the balance sheet date. The financing, which serves to minimize the Group’s equity
exposure, is one of the largest film financing ever completed for Asian film projects and sets a benchmark
for the financing of the Group’s film projects in the future.

Wow. Breathtaking, I daresay. And we know now that TMNT CG is going to cost at least $27.5 million.

[AquaParade]

Sorry for the dumb question but..is that a lot of money to spend on a film compared to others being made out there. Anyone have any clue?

[VaughnMichael]

Sorry for the dumb question but..is that a lot of money to spend on a film compared to others being made out there. Anyone have any clue?
I don't really think it is...but I'm sure some will...:dead:

[Gary]

Ratings are more linient these days though. They can get away with more violence in a PG movie now, than they could have 20 years ago.I also disagree with you. Films like 'Temple of Doom' and "gremlins' gave birth to the pg-13 rating just 22 years ago. before Red Dawn, they got away with a lot in a PG rated film. these dasy you can only say the f-word once before they slap an r rating on it for language.