Interview with Peter Laird on the new movie/trailer - read first post

[NinjaPug]

Important: This new thread was closed and cleaned due to being so full of bickering. Discussion and debate is fine, but any and all fighting/insulting will result in Severe discipline. I and the staff will not allow the forum to get in such a poor state again. You have been warned.

Some good stuff in here.

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/nailbiter111/news/?a=97678

[TrickOrTreater]

Oh f*ck yeah. I've been waiting to hear his thoughts on this thing.

EDIT: I agree with him pretty much through and through, he seems a lot more tempered though which is totally his prerogative. Feels like he's being very professional and giving his honest opinion as softly as he can.

[Jester]

Nice....I assume.

I haven't read it yet...

But I've often wondered, "What does Pete think about this stuff?"

Time to read. Thanks.

[The Boston Ninja Turtle]

I love Laird, normally i dont agree with him 100% but this time i do, he touched base on everything i feel

[TigerClaw]

Some good stuff in here.

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/nailbiter111/news/?a=97678
Here's the part that seems to most interesting.
CBM: What was your first reaction to the new Turtles?
PETER LAIRD: I was impressed with what I saw of the production values -- if nothing else, it looks like the new TMNT movie will have a lot of stuff going on and looking good (that toppling tower, for example) -- but the changes to the basic design of the Turtles seemed to me to fall into the "fixing what is not broken" category. It's altogether possible that, in the context of this new movie, these designs will work well and not seem so odd, but I still point to what Jim Henson's "Creature Shop" team did with their rendering of the Turtles in rubber and paint as the best translation (in live action, anyway) of the Turtles as Kevin Eastman and I created them.

That being said, so far I have only seen this short trailer with just a few brief glimpses of the Turtles. My opinion could change. One thing that comes to mind if how cool it would be if someone did CGI versions of those same Henson designs, with all the incredible flexibility and seamless action potential available with today's CGI.

[Warhorse]

Some good stuff in here.

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/nailbiter111/news/?a=97678

He's voicing my concerns. I'm open to everything but the faces! What he said was what they should have done, just take the Jim Henson suits and twirk them with CGI so they can finally have the movement they need.

[MajorViolence]

He expressed virtually the same concerns I have.

[Technogeek29]

The only thing I could disagree about is the Turtles having nostrils. Not like in the movie where it pretty much is a humanoid nose. But more like Out of the shadows were is more of a snout then anything. Giving them varying body heights was fine as it took away from the qaudruplet look the Mirahe and OT had. But I wish one universe woulld utlized the Uni Head band look again, it doesn't have to be all red.

[TigerClaw]

here are some other parts of the interview.

CBM: Another thing I found odd, but a predictable change, is that Shredder says, "Heroes are created." This seems to imply that the Turtles are not products of an accident. Hollywood hasn't seemed to embrace things just happening by accident. Everything has to be connected these days. Are you okay with that possible change?

PETER LAIRD: As you know, in our original conception of the TMNT, the Turtles' existence as mutated beings WAS the result of an accident… or several accidents, if you count

-- TCRI canister jolted out of truck
-- canister bouncing off head of young guy saving old man from getting run over by truck
-- canister on new trajectory now hitting and smashing open glass container with the pre-mutated turtles in it
-- canister and turtles falling into manhole together
-- turtles crawling around in ooze from canister
-- Splinter (in pre-mutated form) observing all of this, and then getting into the ooze himself as he gathers up the turtles.

I have always found that accidental, somewhat random series of events culminating in the creation of the TMNT to be a significant part of the charm of the story. Somehow, retconning it to make their origin the result of deliberate action seems like a mistake. However, perhaps the writers have found a clever way to make this seems more palatable. We'll have to watch the movie to find out.

CBM: A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan (via Reddit) gave the newly-designed Mikey and Leo a bit of digital plastic surgery. What do you think of them?

PETER LAIRD: It's interesting, and well done, and I think it points up one of the big problems (for me, anyway) with the new look created for the upcoming movie -- with those noses and very expressive lips, their faces look too human. Perhaps it is just my own personal preference, but the "noseless beak" look for the Turtles which Kevin and I used in all of our comics, and in pretty much all of the licensed material during the Mirage days (and which was really there from the very beginning, when Kevin drew that first "ninja turtle") is, in my opinion, a great way to immediately show that these guys are not human -- they're mutated reptiles. Creatures.

Of course, I could be wrong about the new design -- maybe in the context of the movie, it will work fine. From what I have seen so far, it is an excellent example of state-of-the-art character CGI. Perhaps it will become more popular than the noseless style which was used for the first twenty-five years. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

PETER LAIRD: I do have to make one further comment about it, though. When I watched that trailer for the first time, and came to that bit near the end where Michelangelo takes off his bandana, revealing his full face to April, complete with human-looking nose, I immediately flashed back to the early days, back in 1984 or 1985 when we were living in Sharon, CT and just beginning to take steps into the world of licensing the TMNT. It was during that time that we received a letter from a small movie company -- I think it was New World -- offering us a deal to do a live-action TMNT movie, wherein they suggested that the way to go was to choose some (at that point in time) "hot" young comedians, dress them up in Turtle costumes, but leave their faces bare… except for a layer of green paint, so their zany comic expressions could be easily visible.

As you probably know, we turned that one down. Remember, this was well before the first animated TMNT series was even a glimmer in anyone's eye. It's intriguing to contemplate what the history of the TMNT might have been had we accepted that first live-action movie offer.

[Shark_Blade]

Great interview. I always like and prefer Laird's critical look on things in TMNT, much more than Eastman. I might not agree on everything he said but he's pretty detail oriented and it's always fascinating to read. :D

[chrisdude]

At least he's willing to see it. He's got a more open mind than a lot of people here.

[HeroTurtlesFan]

At least he's willing to see it. He's got a more open mind than a lot of people here.

THIS.

There are about 5-6 "vocal minority" posters here who could really take a leaf out of Laird's book here... he emphasises that he just doesn't know enough from the trailer to make definitive conclusions, but likes the potential of a lot of it.

For Laird... this is very reasoned with some very open-minded answers. I am impressed - what's happened to the real Peter Laird?!?

[massakre]

I respect the heck outta this guy.. Although I'm actually a fan of the new Turtle's look and the overall trailer, I respect that he gave his opinion professionally and gave details and a rhyme/reason behind why he feels the way he does, positive or negative, about this new rendition.

[Bry]

At least he's willing to see it. He's got a more open mind than a lot of people here.

Hey, not all of us are rich and retired. I might go see it too if I had time to burn on probably-bad movies. ;)

It was a smart interview, though. Laird tends to be pretty thoughtful and critical about this stuff, but also fair, and he raises a lot of very valid concerns that I share while being very diplomatic. I'll be curious to see if he has a follow-up after the movie's been released.

I especially like how he points out Hollywood's recent aversion to any superhero origin being accidental. I'm getting really tired of that myself. Not everything has to the result of a deliberate plan or a "destiny". Especially the TMNT. Not feeling that at all.

I'm surprised the interviewer didn't ask about the Shredder's ethnicity swap, though Laird touched on it a bit (and very specifically brought up Oroku Saki's name).

[Eiko]

Nice to finally see what Peter thinks about it. Very interesting.

[Sewer Sirens Podcast]

Glad he's staying open to the movie, and isn't automatically hating on it for being different than previous iterations. Even though he has every right to do so. He could complain about how these turtles are so drastically different than HIS turtles, but he doesn't. He's willing to go see it and speak respectively of it, even though he has nothing to lose.

[MajorViolence]

Glad he's staying open to the movie, and isn't automatically hating on it for being different than previous iterations. Even though he has every right to do so. He could complain about how these turtles are so drastically different than HIS turtles, but he doesn't. He's willing to go see it and speak respectively of it, even though he has nothing to lose.

Well he did complain about it, he was just careful to point out that even though he doesn't like them, it's possible that in context of the actual film it could work.

[swing_kinker]

His diplomacy surely comes from the fact he has very little material to judge from.

[Huzzah]

^Which is a very valid point. In context, many of the complaints may be rectified. Then again, it could be change for the sake of change. As long as it still feels like a Ninja Turtle movie when I leave the theater, I'll be satiated.

Then again it could be terrible, and if it is, I'll be willing to admit it.

[Sewer Sirens Podcast]

Well he did complain about it, he was just careful to point out that even though he doesn't like them, it's possible that in context of the actual film it could work.
I meant more whine about and bash the film. But he was very professional about everything. And I wouldn't exactly say he COMPLAINED about the film. He just stated his opinion and what he thought they could've done better.

[Warhorse]

I meant more whine about and bash the film. But he was very professional about everything. And I wouldn't exactly say he COMPLAINED about the film. He just stated his opinion and what he thought they could've done better.

And that is what we who arent happy about things is doing. We are stating our opinions and telling everyone where we thought that they could have done better, in our point of view. We have been saying the same thing he did just not as nicely done.

[graphic_content]

I really enjoyed reading this article...thanks for the share.

I especially enjoyed the fact that though changes/and artistic license are being used in this new film - he isn't completely shutting it down (though he would have reason to as co-creator), but is willing to see how it will play out come August 08th.

He also addressed the fact that people are panicking over a few lines and a minute and a half worth of footage, and jumping to wild conclusions, when we have all yet to see anything more - I appreciate that, because its a sentiment I share.

Beyond these forums, people are panicking all over social media, when no one has a real understanding of just exactly where this new origin tale is actually going, and yet people are willing to write this film off - I'll never understand that.

[Sewer Sirens Podcast]

And that is what we who arent happy about things is doing. We are stating our opinions and telling everyone where we thought that they could have done better, in our point of view. We have been saying the same thing he did just not as nicely done.
Well, not everyone here (or over the internet) are like that. Instead of just stating their opinion, they bash the film and what they've seen (sometime with no reasoning behind it) and saying they can't 'support this garbage'. Meanwhile, cocreator Peter Laird, won't base his true opinion on the movie until he's actually SEEN the movie.

[madyankees]

It's safe to say... Laird aint digging the new design

[MajorViolence]

I meant more whine about and bash the film. But he was very professional about everything. And I wouldn't exactly say he COMPLAINED about the film. He just stated his opinion and what he thought they could've done better.

I couldn't really see him getting any more negative without risking his reputation. I mean, I'm sure he doesn't want to become like Alan Moore, whose opinion no one cares about because he never hesitates to dump on projects involving his work. No matter how bad this movie may look, Laird will have to wait until it's out before he can actually give a solid opinion. Even then, if the film winds up being popular he may hold back somewhat, because hating too heavily on something everyone loves just makes everyone value your opinion less.

[TigerClaw]

Here are his thoughts on the clothing, Donnie's Goggles, April's yellow jacket and Johnny Knoxville and Tony Shalhoub.

CBM: Instead of just having color-coded masks, these Turtles wear pieces of flair to show their personalities. Raphael wears sunglasses and a do-rag. Leonardo has bamboo armor. Donatello has goggles. Michelangelo gets a shark tooth necklace. Do you feel as they are over-stylized?

PETER LAIRD: It may just be a personal preference of mine -- and one informed by twenty-five years with the Turtles as co-creator working on those green dudes -- but the extra "stuff" added to the Turtles' outfits just seems extraneous to me, and a bit silly in spots (I mean, thin bamboo armor for a Turtle's shell?). Maybe it will work, but right now, I don't see it. I prefer the simpler versions.

CBM: I'm especially interested in your thoughts on Donatello's goggles. It somewhat resembles a design choice you were exploring with Donatello for the never-filmed fourth live-action TMNT movie, tentatively titled “TMNT: The Next Mutation.” Was that a nice surprise, or you wish they had stayed away from that idea?

PETER LAIRD: I have no problem with the addition of goggles to Donatello, though unless the plan is to make him near-sighted as we planned to do years ago, I think it might be better if he didn't wear them all the time. The goggles and gear I have seen in photos of Donatello from the new movie seem a bit unwieldy to me, but maybe they will work.

CBM: Megan Fox is rocking a yellow leather jacket instead of April's yellow jumpsuit. Do you like April's new look?

PETER LAIRD: It looks like a nice jacket. And making it yellow is a nice tip of the hat to the fans of the old animated series.

It was recently announced, Johnny Knoxville ("Jackass") will be voicing Leonardo and Tony Shalhoub ("Monk") will be voicing Splinter (replaced Danny Woodburn). Do you like those choices?

PETER LAIRD: I am not familiar enough with Johnny Knoxville to have an opinion, but from what I have seen of Tony Shalhoub's work, I think he certainly has the vocal range to make a good Splinter.

[MajorViolence]

I find it odd that CBM thinks anyone would be outraged at April's yellow jacket, and not that she's being played by a dead-eyed fish alien wearing human skin.

[chrisdude]

Hey, not all of us are rich and retired. I might go see it too if I had time to burn on probably-bad movies. ;)

It was a smart interview, though. Laird tends to be pretty thoughtful and critical about this stuff, but also fair, and he raises a lot of very valid concerns that I share while being very diplomatic. I'll be curious to see if he has a follow-up after the movie's been released.

I especially like how he points out Hollywood's recent aversion to any superhero origin being accidental. I'm getting really tired of that myself. Not everything has to the result of a deliberate plan or a "destiny". Especially the TMNT. Not feeling that at all.

I'm surprised the interviewer didn't ask about the Shredder's ethnicity swap, though Laird touched on it a bit (and very specifically brought up Oroku Saki's name).I agree about these recent origins. Some heroes should be accidents. Spider-Man, for instance, doesn't have a destiny, he makes a choice. I feel the same is true for TMNT, as well.

[The Fifth Turtle]

This movie can't catch a break :lol:

[xChri5x]

Has Laird ever talked about his opinion on the Nick show before?

[thebrownranger]

Liked hearing what Laird had to say about this movie finally. Definitely seemed very open to it.

[Sewer Sirens Podcast]

I couldn't really see him getting any more negative without risking his reputation. I mean, I'm sure he doesn't want to become like Alan Moore, whose opinion no one cares about because he never hesitates to dump on projects involving his work. No matter how bad this movie may look, Laird will have to wait until it's out before he can actually give a solid opinion. Even then, if the film winds up being popular he may hold back somewhat, because hating too heavily on something everyone loves just makes everyone value your opinion less.
Well, he's definitely voiced his opinion before. He's blatantly said if he has liked or disliked things.

If the only reason he hasn't been bashing the film is because he thought it would ruin his reputation (and if he did bash the film, that would probably GAIN him a better reputation with the people who are disliking this movie [and give themselves more approval to dislike the movie and end up using what he's said as an excuse not to see it: "Peter Laird said no, so I can obviously say no."]), then he would be a man swayed and controlled by everyone else's opinion, never really voicing his true feelings. Like he's a puppet. Holding his judgement back until he's actually seen the movie is a mature and wise decision. I think Peter's learned not to judge a book by its cover, until you've opened up the book and actually see the content inside. (If people had judged the original comic by its cover...teenage mutant ninja turtles? What are you even supposed to think of that without knowing anything about it and just judging it by the cover?)

And as I've already said, Peter Laird has nothing to lose if he complains or whines about the movie. He's not getting a paycheck from Paramount. He doesn't have to say one good thing about the film. He has no reason to (unless to cater to the public, but, well, I already addressed that). I believe he is truly stating what he thinks about the film, and is reserving his judgement.

[The Boston Ninja Turtle]

I would say he might have a reason to hold back this time..remember up until a few years ago he was sole owner..he could say what he wanted and if "we" didnt agree with to bad for us he was behind the wheel


now someone else is in charge, he has no controlling stock, but i am pretty sure he has contracts that allow him to do certain things,if i remember right i think he is allowed a short comic story now and then and other small things" so he wouldn't want to ruin that and get told by Nick/Viacom/whoever to "screw off"

[Jester]

Might be time to lock and sticky so that people can find the interview but stop all of this sniping.