Alan Ritchson hated working on the two TMNT Movies

[TigerClaw]

Alan Ritchson who played Raph in TMNT 2014 and TMNT: Out Of The Shadows hated working on it.

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The experience was so bad. He was trying to get out of the 2nd one. But was contractually obligated to do 3 movies. Anyways the 3rd one didn't happen since they are gonna reboot it anyways. and I'm pretty sure it won't have the same actors.

[IndigoErth]

Okay, first, someone lend me a hammer because I'm using it on that/those microphone(s). God damn I hate that hallow echoy tone. Gives me an ear and headache just trying to listen to it.


That said.... That seriously sucks how he and the others were treated. If he wants to be seen, I'm not sure why he'd even try for (or agree on) that kind of film to begin with if it wasn't something he was interested in at first anyhow. But sounds like there were a whole lot of promises that were all talk and they got screwed out of it.

Cripe, even if they were lesser knowns, playing the Turtles makes them the rightful stars of it, so why not treat them with the respect deserved for all that hard work they were putting in just like everyone else. Were none of them guild/union members, thus easy to screw over? While union set people took precedence?



Makes me a little sad though to know that if a prospective 3rd movie did turn out to be just a soft reboot with the same Turtles, it doesn't sound like he'd be willing to return. (Unless he'd have to. But now I'd feel bad for him/them. :ohwell:) The chemistry of those four and their performance were the best part of the whole thing. In terms of a big, gruff kind of Raph, he did a good one.

[TigerClaw]

Okay, first, someone lend me a hammer because I'm using it on that/those microphone(s). God damn I hate that hallow echoy tone. Gives me an ear and headache just trying to listen to it.


That said.... That seriously sucks how he and the others were treated. If he wants to be seen, I'm not sure why he'd even try for that kind of film to begin with if it wasn't something he was interested in at first anyhow. But sounds like there were a whole lot of promises that were all talk and they got screwed out of it.

Cripe, even if they were lesser knowns, playing the Turtles makes them the rightful stars of it, so why not treat them with the respect deserved for all that hard work they were putting in just like everyone else.



Makes me a little sad though to know that if a prospective 3rd movie did turn out to be just a soft reboot with the same Turtles, it doesn't sound like he'd be willing to return. (Unless he'd have to.) The chemistry of those four and their performance were the best part of the whole thing. In terms of a big, gruff kind of Raph, he did a good one.
I'm sure they will all be recast. They don't want to go through the same ordeal.

[Andrew NDB]

Not surprising. Though what's he talking about "this isn't what my audience likes"... did people even know him before this? I recognized him a couple seasons ago in a Black Mirror episode, but that's it.

Interesting he talks about the backend of the box office promised to him with the second one. He acts like they stiffed him, but any kind of back end deal means that there actually needs to BE a back end. OotS landed in the red, so no back end for anybody because there isn't any profit. If it had done well he would have gotten what was promised.

Makes me a little sad though to know that if a prospective 3rd movie did turn out to be just a soft reboot with the same Turtles, it doesn't sound like he'd be willing to return.

A prospective third movie wouldn't be a prospective third movie... it'd be a prospective first movie in a new thing.

[IndigoErth]

You know what I mean -- if they actually still used those particular Turtles; be it a consecutive 3rd or a stand alone 3rd unconnected from the first two. Whole new voices would just be off putting. So I guess new models are for the best if the actors are out. (Even if I wouldn't have minded a little more of this Leo.)

[LeotheLateBloomer]

I'm not surprised. Though I hope this video gets seen by any actor who might even think about being involved in a movie with those same people behind the previous reboot. I just don't have any faith in Platinum Dunes.

[TigerClaw]

It sounded like he was talked into doing it. But his heart wasn't in the right place as he was forced to endure all the behind the scenes drama when they were filming.

[d_osborn]

It sounded like he was talked into doing it. But his heart wasn't in the right place as he was forced to endure all the behind the scenes drama when they were filming.
It sounds like he had a job.

[TommyT]

So, not only did they destroy the fandom, they also destroyed the actors.

THANKS MICHAEL BAY!!!

[Roseangelo]

Honestly, I hate these movies so much that I am kind of gleeful to hear bad things about the production.

[TommyT]

Honestly, I hate these movies so much that I am kind of gleeful to hear bad things about the production.

Same here.

[Wildcat]

I don’t mind him complaining if he felt mistreated. No matter what job you have you should be treated fairly but I don’t understand how he could possibly think he’d be more than “just a guy in a mask”.

I mean the entire point of the motion capture was to cgi on turtle faces. What exactly could be misunderstood here?

From the studio’s standpoint how can you pitch it the way he says it was? Even if they just lied it makes no sense because everyone knew it was cgi and the human stars were Megan Fox and Will Arnett.

[Powder]

I don’t understand how he could possibly think he’d be more than “just a guy in a mask”.

He literally said how, in the video. Ya know, that he'd be able to go be the face of his character, doing press & the like, actually being known for his role.

[Ninjinister]

Not surprising. Though what's he talking about "this isn't what my audience likes"... did people even know him before this? I recognized him a couple seasons ago in a Black Mirror episode, but that's it.


Smallville. I guess now he'd be more known for Titans but that was definitely even after TMNT.

[Wildcat]

He literally said how, in the video. Ya know, that he'd be able to go be the face of his character, doing press & the like, actually being known for his role.Oh I misunderstood that part I guess. I thought he was thinking his face would appear in the movie.

[Candy Kappa]

Of course the dumpster fire movies was a dumpster fire production. It sucks that the Turtle actors was treated like this. They where toted as new big stars and didn't even get a ride from the studios? pathetic by Bay & Co.

The promises was red flags though, getting the back end of the BO?
That means "zero cash for you dancing monkey, now keep dancing" Even if BayTurtlers did Box Office records of all time, you'll rarely see any BO money as a actor or director if that's what you're agreed to get paid in unless you have a really good contract that have the right wording like Sandra Bullock had in Gravity.

Being the same company, how can the reboot be any better though?
Maybe don't hire actors for being the Turtles but go stunt actors and voice actors combined to make the Turtles route instead.

[AquaParade]

I know I should have empathy, but its it's hard because he was talking up the film like it was the greatest thing ever in the press - that's his job. I get it. But I'm the guy you're essentially lying to, so idk, hard for me to feel bad.

Sure sounds like a crap situation to be in for those guys though. Let's just hope this is the "Batman and Robin" (1997) to our Batman Begins.

[TurtleTitan97]

I know I should have empathy, but its it's hard because he was talking up the film like it was the greatest thing ever in the press - that's his job. I get it. But I'm the guy you're essentially lying to, so idk, hard for me to feel bad.

I'd almost forgotten that. Didn't he and Megan Fox basically smacked talk against people who were criticizing the first film around the time they were promoting it? Hard to feel empathy.

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

I know I should have empathy, but its it's hard because he was talking up the film like it was the greatest thing ever in the press - that's his job. I get it. But I'm the guy you're essentially lying to, so idk, hard for me to feel bad.

Sure sounds like a crap situation to be in for those guys though. Let's just hope this is the "Batman and Robin" (1997) to our Batman Begins.

I feel more like it's TMNT's version of F4NTASTIC 4... and our only hope is somebody buying the rights away from Viacom/Nick.

[IMJ]

I'd almost forgotten that. Didn't he and Megan Fox basically smacked talk against people who were criticizing the first film around the time they were promoting it? Hard to feel empathy.

I just think it's interesting that this guy is willing to speak his mind about the whole debacle. Honestly, good for him. You don't see that in Hollywood very often, and you know that Hollywood execs never fess up to their BS. So it's almost always on the actors or writers.

[IndigoErth]

Oh I misunderstood that part I guess. I thought he was thinking his face would appear in the movie.
Although...it would have been cool for them to do like the original film did and let them all have a bit part cameo too.

I'd almost forgotten that. Didn't he and Megan Fox basically smacked talk against people who were criticizing the first film around the time they were promoting it? Hard to feel empathy.
No, pretty sure that was Donnie's actor -- apologies to him as I can't recall his name at the moment -- who unfortunately decided to go in on that a bit along with Fox and Bay. Wasn't too fond of him after that. But at least he sort of walked it back a little when they were all finally able to voice their own criticisms later on how it turned out.

I don't recall the other three getting into that.


Hearing that they were treated this crappy though makes me feel a little sadder for Leo's actor for getting his voice replaced in the first. (Esp after the 2nd proved that he's a great fit.) Cripe, at least Alan got to keep his voice in it. Poor Pete basically became a voiceless full-body puppeteer.

[CyberCubed]

Once we saw those noses and nostrils for the first time we knew these movies were going to be god awful.

[IndigoErth]

Well obviously everyone knows that noses have the power to stifle the writing quality.

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

Now I'm wondering how the other 3 felt about working on the 2 movies

[AquaParade]

Actually, when the designs leaked, I was pretty excited. I had skepticism heading in, because of the obvious Transformers film comparisons, but I really thought they looked great. I don't think I understood just how big they would be, and of course the movie's poor quality now colors my perception of those designs.

To me, the designs were a mix of Steve Baron's sequel concepts and "Soul's Winter".

[Andrew NDB]

Now I'm wondering how the other 3 felt about working on the 2 movies

They'll probably keep their mouths shut because they want to keep on getting work.

[AquaParade]

They'll probably keep their mouths shut because they want to keep on getting work.

That's what I'd think. This seems like a good way to burn bridges, but I really don't know much about the acting business.

[TigerClaw]

I could see another Sonic Movie situation. If the new designs they do for the reboot isn't well received. The problem is the people working on this movie don't even listen to the fans. But I bet you Paramount will have a final say on this. Should something like this happen again.

[ranger_scout]

Now I'm wondering how the other 3 felt about working on the 2 movies

They'll probably keep their mouths shut because they want to keep on getting work.

That's what I'd think. This seems like a good way to burn bridges, but I really don't know much about the acting business.

Around the time that the movies were released, Noel Fisher (Michelangelo) really seemed like he enjoyed doing them from the interviews he did, but I do wonder if this was how he really felt or what production would want him to say.

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[TommyT]

Noel Fisher is lucky to have any career at all.

[Andrew NDB]

That's what I'd think. This seems like a good way to burn bridges, but I really don't know much about the acting business.

Alan Ritchson has apparently carved out a little bit of a niche in terms of regular parts and a general "look." He's like a younger, prickish brother of David Beckham or something. He has a little bit of ability to say "f*** you" now. The other Turtle actors don't.

[TigerClaw]

They shouldn't hire actors to do the motion capture for the Turtles. Instead get stunt performers to do the majority of it. Because we need to see the Turtles actually do martial arts. Just rely on the voice acting for that stuff. Just like how they did with the 1990 movie. It seems like they treated these actors like crap. Because nobody would know who they are behind all the motion capture. It sucks that Will Arnett and Megan Fox were getting special treatment then them because of there celebrity status.

[AquaParade]

They shouldn't hire actors to do the motion capture for the Turtles. Instead get stunt performers to do the majority of it. Because we need to see the Turtles actually do martial arts. Just rely on the voice acting for that stuff. Just like how they did with the 1990 movie. It seems like they treated these actors like crap. Because nobody would know who they are behind all the motion capture. It sucks that Will Arnett and Megan Fox were getting special treatment then them because of there celebrity status.

I still get s kick out of Raphael's little brawl on the rooftop against The Foot. Considering what little resources they had, it looks pretty cool seeing that Raph puppet move like that.

[ranger_scout]

Ritchson says that they were not invited to the premiere of the first movie back in 2014, but that doesn't seem to add up because they were in fact there.

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Noel+Fisher+Alan+Ritchson+Teenage+Mutant+Ninja+kDl My-371Lhl.jpg

Ritchson did not attend the premiere of the second one though, which does explain why he didn't look forward to doing the sequel.

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Teenage+Mutant+Ninja+Turtles+Out+Shadows+ow8sbhr6O ehl.jpg

A fan here at Technodrome Forum asked Jeremy Howard some questions on Cameo and it seemed like he enjoyed the experience too.

https://www.cameo.com/v/141nZiGFt

Here are more videos of Fisher, Ploszek and Howard at the premieres. They seem more positive, but it's still a possibility that it was what Paramount would want them to say.

Pete Ploszek:

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Jeremy Howard:

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Noel Fisher:

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[TigerClaw]

Perhaps Alan Ritchson was talked into doing it. Even if he wasn't feeling it. But if the other actors enjoyed the experience. Then this is solely on him. I guess he was expecting more. The other guys were lucky to even be a part of it. But for Alan Ritchson. He wanted something more. You can see why with the other roles that take full use of his talents.

[Sharman]

Noel Fisher is lucky to have any career at all.

How so? Though I was not impressed with either of these movies and the characterisation of the Turtles I did chuckle a few times at Mikey, regardless.

[Leo656]

Fisher and Jeremy Howard are some unfortunate-looking individuals.

[alien_ken]

Fisher and Jeremy Howard are some unfortunate-looking individuals.

What is the point of saying stuff like this???

[Leo656]

I'm an observational person and under no particular obligation to be nice, is why.

Seriously?

[IMJ]

Once we saw those noses and nostrils for the first time we knew these movies were going to be god awful.

Now that is a blanket statement I can absolutely get behind....

[oldmanwinters]

Made the trending headlines on Yahoo! today.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/ninja-turtles-actor-says-making-reboot-made-me-hate-life-so-much-113437680.html

[IndigoErth]

Good, let that be inspiration to PD to treat people better. It's not like they were busting their asses less than anyone else. Cripe, it would not even BE a TMNT film without the guys who play them.

[TigerClaw]

Good, let that be inspiration to PD to treat people better. It's not like they were busting their asses less than anyone else. Cripe, it would not even BE a TMNT film without the guys who play them.
If anything. They will want to avoid another Sonic Movie situation and make sure to do things right. They know now that. If the fans don't like the designs. They are going to have to go back and redesign the Turtles.

[Andrew NDB]

Design changes wouldn't have saved these horrible things... but it would have helped.

[ranger_scout]

People also wrote an article about Alan Ritchson's comments. It also said this.

Fisher, Howard and Ploszek’s representatives did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

https://people.com/movies/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-actor-claims-production-was-worst-experience/

[IndigoErth]

Uh-oh. If it keeps spreading it might not be long before PD needs to comment. Or will they avoid acknowledging it like a plague.

[Warhorse]

Uh-oh. If it keeps spreading it might not be long before PD needs to comment. Or will they avoid acknowledging it like a plague.

To be honest, studios have always treated actors as expendable. Just look what Marvel did with Terrence Howard and Edward Norton. And these actors can bad mouth all they want, because there are probably another 1000 actors that are desperate for work and will take the gig just so they can pay the rent and put food on the table.

And at least Platinum Dunes is somewhat keeping the Turtles the same. Another production unit might be wanting to make them all girls like they did with the Ghostbusters or the new James Bond. But with that aside, I still didn't care for the first movie, so never bothered with the second. The story was crap, the shots were horrible and there was just not enough down time with the Turtles, and that is what makes them so endearing. Not the fights, but the brotherhood, and the movie was missing that. But we knew the Turtles would be used sparingly because CGI motion capture is expensive.

[IndigoErth]

Well there's a name I haven't seen in a long while, how it going? :)

That really stinks if ill treatment is that common. No wonder unions/guild are a thing. And I guess getting those four for the TMNT who were lesser knowns is just prime meat for treating as poorly as possible.

Where the brotherhood is concerned, you may like the second film better. It's why I like that one more than the first, though the allover story still sucks. The Turtles' presence, interactions and screen time were better though at least.

[TigerClaw]

Well there's a name I haven't seen in a long while, how it going? :)

That really stinks if ill treatment is that common. No wonder unions/guild are a thing. And I guess getting those four for the TMNT who were lesser knowns is just prime meat for treating as poorly as possible.

Where the brotherhood is concerned, you may like the second film better. It's why I like that one more than the first, though the allover story still sucks. The Turtles' presence, interactions and screen time were better though at least.
Getting lesser known actors also means they don't have to pay them too much money. I'm sure Megan Fox and Will Arnett got more money then they did because they are well known.

[AquaParade]

Silver lining: Had the movie been great, this news would really suck to hear.

[TigerClaw]

Even if they hire new actors for the Turtles. They will probably get the same kind of treatment that these actors went through.

[AquaParade]

Even if they hire new actors for the Turtles. They will probably get the same kind of treatment that these actors went through.

Even bad studios have to try some different methods after repeated failure. WB shifted course with DC. Transformers didn't shift course because their poor work was successful.

Platinum Dunes TMNT films were poor, yes. But they didn't make a ton of money. The hope is that the studio won't make those same mistakes. We can hope for them to make some brand new mistakes.
Having only three ninja turtles to save on money. All-female TMNT. TMNT with laser-beam eyes (I could accept this). That sort of thing.

But realistically, I do have hope that the next film will be better than these last two, and that at least makes me very curious.

[IndigoErth]

All-female TMNT. TMNT with laser-beam eyes (I could accept this). That sort of thing.
Female android Turtles with laser beam eyes. Probably also aliens. :tlol:

[TigerClaw]

Even bad studios have to try some different methods after repeated failure. WB shifted course with DC. Transformers didn't shift course because their poor work was successful.

Platinum Dunes TMNT films were poor, yes. But they didn't make a ton of money. The hope is that the studio won't make those same mistakes. We can hope for them to make some brand new mistakes.
Having only three ninja turtles to save on money. All-female TMNT. TMNT with laser-beam eyes (I could accept this). That sort of thing.

But realistically, I do have hope that the next film will be better than these last two, and that at least makes me very curious.
The mistakes is having the same people who produce the last two doing the reboot. The movie needs people who understand TMNT.

Even if they hire a new director for it. They tend to hire directors who does what they are told.

If you look at the 2014 and 2016 movies. Both had different directors. But the tones were the same. and this is in part of the producers and Michael Bay's meddling with the production.

[IndigoErth]

At least with the supposed next film they had the "bright idea" of hiring new people to write for it, as they should have done with the last film.

Though once again, just like the directors, it's people with few credits to their names... I mean, no offense to them, I know a relative newbie could also be very talented and hopefully they are with this particular area of film, but even still it just seems odd that PD doesn't seem too capable of getting people with longer resumes. Do they suck so much that proven people just don't want to work with them, or are they cheapskates and hire whoever they can get at the lowest cost and in need of more projects to their name?

[AquaParade]

Female android Turtles with laser beam eyes. Probably also aliens. :tlol:

Can't forget the aliens. Although, the further I get from the concept, the less it bugs me. They essentially are aliens. But that "planet of turtles" idea makes me shudder.

Tigerclaw...
Fair points.

[Andrew NDB]

At least with the supposed next film they had the "bright idea" of hiring new people to write for it, as they should have done with the last film.

Though once again, just like the directors, it's people with few credits to their names... I mean, no offense to them, I know a relative newbie could also be very talented and hopefully they are with this particular area of film, but even still it just seems odd that PD doesn't seem too capable of getting people with longer resumes. Do they suck so much that proven people just don't want to work with them, or are they cheapskates and hire whoever they can get at the lowest cost and in need of more projects to their name?

It's because they want puppet writers/directors to just execute the will of the studio and Playmates.

[TigerClaw]

It's because they want puppet writers/directors to just execute the will of the studio and Playmates.
They tend to hire Directors that made small movies that had a niche audience. and these Directors are more then happy to make the movie for the studios.

And some of these Directors don't have a clear vision of what the movie should be. Because its the Studios that are giving them there vision.

We need a Director who has a vision for the movie and does his own thing with it. and not allow the studio to intervene. What needs to be done is keeping away these the producers. and let the Director do his job.

I saw an interview with Kevin Eastman. and he told the producers the things they have to do for the movie. and they ignored him.

I would love to see Travis Knight direct this reboot. He did a fantastic job with Bumblebee. I could see him bring that same level of heart he did with Bumblebee to TMNT.

[Warhorse]

Well there's a name I haven't seen in a long while, how it going? :)

That really stinks if ill treatment is that common. No wonder unions/guild are a thing. And I guess getting those four for the TMNT who were lesser knowns is just prime meat for treating as poorly as possible.

Where the brotherhood is concerned, you may like the second film better. It's why I like that one more than the first, though the allover story still sucks. The Turtles' presence, interactions and screen time were better though at least.

Awe, thanks. I'm doing good. Been busy with work, but my senses have been tingling about the TMNT, so decided to come on here and see if anything is happening, and behold, a deal in the works with Netflix (here's to hoping maybe we might get a TMNT series that is fashioned after something like Daredevil or The Punisher) Doubtful though.

But studios have always been jerks. Just look at all the writer strikes that go on.

And I caught a few scenes of the second film at a relative's house a few weeks ago, and I'm going to watch it when I have time. Maybe during the holidays.

At least with the supposed next film they had the "bright idea" of hiring new people to write for it, as they should have done with the last film.

Though once again, just like the directors, it's people with few credits to their names... I mean, no offense to them, I know a relative newbie could also be very talented and hopefully they are with this particular area of film, but even still it just seems odd that PD doesn't seem too capable of getting people with longer resumes. Do they suck so much that proven people just don't want to work with them, or are they cheapskates and hire whoever they can get at the lowest cost and in need of more projects to their name?

I keep thinking at how relatively inexperienced Matthew Vaughn was when he tackled Kick Ass, and how great that movie came out, and I just wished we had someone like him to direct a TMNT movie.

[Prowler]

Can't blame him. I'd have hated taking part of such garbage movies as well. Bob Hoskins also absolutely hated working on the Super Mario Bros. movie.

I think I'd be embarrassed to have such movies on my CV.