What would your TMNT vision be?

[Monty Mole]

What would you do if you were given a 60 million dollar budget and a chance to do any TMNT project you wanted? You would have full say over everything and Viacom and Nickelodeon couldn't interfere at all.

It doesn't have to be a movie either.

[neatoman]

Well, I don't know if 60 million dollars would be enough but I actually have a 179 episode plan for a TMNT show that I'm trying to tweak to see if it could make into at least 200 episodes.

It would mostly be adaptations of Mirage with a whole bunch of extra context added. The show would start off with five episodes showing the whole Yoshi/Shen/Nagi love triangle in full alongside what Yoshi did in New York when he fled there. It would also expand each chapter of the Fugitoid one-shot into seven different episodes because the issue is divided into seven chapters. Then I would do things like tie the C.R.A.P story in with the DARPA story (though I might replace DARPA with the EPF). I would also re-contextualize Junkman, New Comic Book Day and Technofear as one long story also tied into DARPA.

The short explanation for what this show would be is essentially Mirage but with much more context and connective tissue. I would also move stuff around so it's a little less jarring.

If 60 million isn't enough, I'd just settle for making a movie adapting the space arc or maybe some Renet stories.

[Antoniocafe]

A sequel to the 2007 TMNT film?

[Mad Dog McMutt]

Whatever the storyline might be it would be awesome to have an action sequence with an updated version of the Neon Night Riders theme.

[Powder]

I still wanna see one that is purely feudal era, with mystical elements mixed in. Closest point of comparison would be Soul's Winter, & some of what IDW used to do.

[Prowler]

I'm not sure...

A hybrid mix of the best elements from Mirage, Fred Wolf and 2k3.

So, kinda like the 1990 movie but a full animated series instead of a live action movie.

I think journalist April, Bebop, Rocksteady, Krang, the Tecbodrome, Hun, Bishop, Turtles using their weapons in every episode, serious moments and comedy, etc. can all co-exist in the same series of done right.

As for comics, one with the art and tone of SNES Tournament Fighters would be so cool.

[Cowabung-Gal]

Well, my origin story for the turtles would be something like this:

Hamato Yoshi and his wife Shen tried having children but couldn’t due to Shen’s infertility, and in an attempt to cheer her up, Yoshi bought her four baby turtles. Shen grew to love those turtles dearly and treated them as though they were her own children. Tragically Shen suddenly dies and a heartbroken Yoshi moves from Japan to America and starts a dojo in New York City. Of course he brought Shen’s pet turtles with him.

His childhood friend and rival Oroku Saki also happens to live in the city and is working for a company called TCRI. Yoshi soon discovers a dark secret behind the company: human beings are being used as test subjects for mutation experiments and turned into humanoid animals. Before he could alert the authorities, Saki suddenly shows up and forcibly injects Yoshi with mutagen, which turns him into a mutant rat. Saki reveals that he has held a deep grudge against Yoshi for stealing Shen from him and the mutation was not only to keep Yoshi quiet, but it was also an act of revenge. Saki also reveals that he plans to create a mutant army and take over the entire city and eventually the whole world.

Now a mutant rat, Yoshi has no choice but to move into the sewers so that he wouldn’t be discovered by the public. He realizes that he can’t stop Saki or TCRI on his own and will need help. Fortunately, before he escaped from TCRI, he managed to steal a canister of mutagen, which he had planned to bring to the police for evidence before he got mutated. He then realizes that he can use it to mutate his pet turtles and make them into a band of ninja warriors, and one day the five of them will infiltrate TCRI and stop Saki’s diabolical plan. And so the four mutant turtles train under Yoshi, who now calls himself “Splinter”, until they are teenagers.

[NeonTurtledude]

hmmm I'm thinking something kinda grungy, a good mix of serious stories and humour while retaining elements from some of the other iterations, so some of the mirage traits and stories but with some designs from fred wolf,2003 etc.

incorporating some references and continuity into the story and characters, expanding on some things, the general backstory for the turtles would be the same but their personality traits and interests would be a mix of ones from the cartoons and comics.

aesthetically probably like the 2012 or 2003 series with some aspects taken from turtles in time or shredders revenge with a consistent emotional tone.

maybe there could be a season or special for each character like how the rise movie focused on leo's character development.

I'd have to read the mirage comics and watch more of the 2003 series and other adaptions to figure the rest out.

[Anarchistguy]

I'm not sure...

A hybrid mix of the best elements from Mirage, Fred Wolf and 2k3.

So, kinda like the 1990 movie but a full animated series instead of a live action movie.

I think journalist April, Bebop, Rocksteady, Krang, the Tecbodrome, Hun, Bishop, Turtles using their weapons in every episode, serious moments and comedy, etc. can all co-exist in the same series of done right.

As for comics, one with the art and tone of SNES Tournament Fighters would be so cool.

This...this right here has my vote.

[oldmanwinters]

One that takes the character designs and backstories of the vintage toy line!

[Galactus]

Well, my origin story for the turtles would be something like this:

Hamato Yoshi and his wife Shen tried having children but couldn’t due to Shen’s infertility, and in an attempt to cheer her up, Yoshi bought her four baby turtles. Shen grew to love those turtles dearly and treated them as though they were her own children. Tragically Shen suddenly dies and a heartbroken Yoshi moves from Japan to America and starts a dojo in New York City. Of course he brought Shen’s pet turtles with him.

His childhood friend and rival Oroku Saki also happens to live in the city and is working for a company called TCRI. Yoshi soon discovers a dark secret behind the company: human beings are being used as test subjects for mutation experiments and turned into humanoid animals. Before he could alert the authorities, Saki suddenly shows up and forcibly injects Yoshi with mutagen, which turns him into a mutant rat. Saki reveals that he has held a deep grudge against Yoshi for stealing Shen from him and the mutation was not only to keep Yoshi quiet, but it was also an act of revenge. Saki also reveals that he plans to create a mutant army and take over the entire city and eventually the whole world.

Now a mutant rat, Yoshi has no choice but to move into the sewers so that he wouldn’t be discovered by the public. He realizes that he can’t stop Saki or TCRI on his own and will need help. Fortunately, before he escaped from TCRI, he managed to steal a canister of mutagen, which he had planned to bring to the police for evidence before he got mutated. He then realizes that he can use it to mutate his pet turtles and make them into a band of ninja warriors, and one day the five of them will infiltrate TCRI and stop Saki’s diabolical plan. And so the four mutant turtles train under Yoshi, who now calls himself “Splinter”, until they are teenagers.

Sounds like you'd be right at home at the writers room for those Platinum Dunes TMNT movies.

[RetroReminiscence]

What would you do if you were given a 60 million dollar budget and a chance to do any TMNT project you wanted? You would have full say over everything and Viacom and Nickelodeon couldn't interfere at all.

It doesn't have to be a movie either.

I would literally make a sequel to the original movie. Like starting out right after the events from the 1st movie. Just continue the story with practical events and those awesome costumes. I always loved the OG costumes.

[Prowler]

This...this right here has my vote.

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with this kind of vision.

[Mad Dog McMutt]

I actually think that it would be awesome if they made a cartoon series involving all of the old school action figure characters and vehicles and have them appear for more than one episode. There was something very charming about all of the designs of those old toys and that made up world. It would have been nice to see Scratch, Scaletale, and all of those other interesting characters.

[Turo602]

I would do a more grown up revival of the 2k3 series as a mini-series for Paramount+ based around the Shredder Wars which was set in the Turtles' near future, making it the perfect conflict for a darker story with older and more mature Turtles and a big enough event to draw viewers in whether or not they watched the 2003 series. Almost like a Last Ronin type of situation that just drops you into a new status quo but with a gang war between each Shredder in a dystopian future.

It would serve as a proper closure for the series with the intent of renewing interest in this specific incarnation of TMNT with the same VAs and improved animation that captures the designs and spirit of the first 5 seasons. Same as it Never Was is easily the most talked about episode of this series and was used to parallel the events of Exodus and what could be if the Shredder wins. So naturally, this will have similar parallels, but with the Turtles experiencing the conflict in real-time.

Splinter will have died by the start of the series, making Leo and Raph bitter rivals without Splinter's guidance. Donatello would be the only one who recognizes what is unfolding right before him, traumatizing him and making him completely obsessed with winning the war without the help of Leo or Raph to ground him, forcing Michelangelo to become the most focused and level-headed Turtle, mirroring the events of SAINW with shades of Last Ronin.

Specific things I would like addressed in a mini-series like this would be character fates. For instance, Karai settling down with Chaplin and being permanent allies with the Turtles. Hun's revenge on the Turtles for mutating him that would ultimately lead to his demise. Flashbacks to how Splinter died and how the Shredder Wars came to be. Bishop and Stockman would form a temporary alliance with the Turtles but their fates will still be the same as it was in Fast Forward.

Which speaking of, is something I want constantly looming in the background. The Shredder Wars is only the near future, but Fast Forward is where this series is truly heading, and so I want lots of seeds planted that hint or set up the proper developments for Fast Forward to occur. Like the establishment of O'Neil Tech, Casey and April having a kid, and so on. That way, it won't be all doom and gloom as there will always be glimmers of hope sprinkled throughout reminding us that there is indeed a happy ending awaiting the Turtles.

[Ninjinister]

Something I was happy with, that would make money to appease the corporate masters enough to let me continue, and one that was mostly faithful to the franchise as a whole while trying something new a bit.

[Andrew NDB]

A "modernized" version (as in, in the world of 2022 and not 1984 and what that means) of Mirage with new elements. I think there is potential to incorporating the reincarnation aspect of IDW but I don't imagine I'd borrow a single other thing or character from any other universe. I'd probably start them out with black bandannas and give some in-story explanation for why they'd adopt the all-red ones. I don't like Oroku Saki as an Utrom but I think it'd be neat if there were a lot more "secret" Utroms out there, a little bit like in the 2012 show. If we're talking comic books I'd go bigger with outer space -- like, let's have them spend a year in space and not two issues. I'd map out a 10+ year plan for sure.

[AquaParade]

Part of me would just want to let Steve Baron do his thing, but without any of the interference he faced before. I think he completely nailed it the first time around, aside from the goofy music and lightening up that the studio forced upon the film.

I mean, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I’d want more creative input, but if I were just producing the product or in charge of dictating how the money is spent, that’s where I’d put it.

Granted, it’s not the most exciting idea, 30 years on past his original film, but it’s still the greatest non-comic TMNT product/story imo, making it a pretty exciting if safe choice.

I just can’t get over how close to perfect an adaption that film is, the more I watch it. Again, I’d turn up the violence and drama, and play down the comedy, when it comes to the action scenes - I don’t like the tension being underplayed like that, but aside from that, it’s hard to criticize.
The characters have never felt more real than they did in this movie, and the grainy, gritty, dimly-lit aesthetic is just perfect.

[Andrew NDB]

Part of me would just want to let Steve Baron do his thing

But he's "only" a director. It'd be like asking the conductor of a symphony to just do their thing because you loved the way they directed a particular performance of Beethoven. They didn't write Beethoven.

Now, put him in to direct a new TMNT thing with a bang up script? YES!

[AquaParade]

But he's "only" a director. It'd be like asking the conductor of a symphony to just do their thing because you loved the way they directed a particular performance of Beethoven. They didn't write Beethoven.

Now, put him in to direct a new TMNT thing with a bang up script? YES!

That’s essentially what I mean, yeah. After all, he was the guy to point to the comics and say “this is the story”, even if he didn’t write it himself.

[TigerClaw]

My vision for a TMNT movie, Would be one that's based on the IDW comics, I feel that in order to fully achieve it, You would need to use the same tech that's being used for the Avatar movies, Even though the last two movies did use motion capture, But not quite on the level of those movies, So I would like to see them bring more emotion to it, and make the action and fight scenes a lot more intense like in the style of those John Wick movies.

I would like to see some of the mutants on it, Like Old Hobs, Mutanimals, You name it, And also the Triceratons would be cool to see as well.

I do not want to redo the origin as its been done to death every iteration, So instead, Start the movie at some point where the Turtles have already been established, And if you need to explain the origin, Do it as a series of flash back scenes.

[neatoman]

The problem with the "Let's not do the origin again because everyone already knows it" is that it's based on an incorrect assumption. First off, you can't assume everyone knows the origin and those who don't might need to.. You know, get an explanation as to why four mutant turtles with martial arts exist in the first place. Secondly, the origin can and has varied quite a bit throughout the franchise's history, so several people who were fans to begin with can have very different ideas on what their origin is. Very broadly, you can divide their origin into two versions, one in which they are pet store turtles mutated by a spill and one in which they are escaped lab animals who were (more or less) mutated intentionally. So which is it to "everyone"? Pet store and spill or lab experiment?

[Chris]

If I had control of the franchise I would do 3 things:

Leave the upcoming movie (and animated series?) for the kids.

Add a second animated show aimed at fans who grew up on the OT. Basically a spiritual sequel to OT along the lines of MOTU: Revelation. So you can have all the nostalgia trappings (pizza, reporter April, Bebop & Rocksteady, etc) but also have a stronger story and allow the characters to grow up. Have the death of Splinter, have the final battle with Shredder, etc.

And finally, a live action series more along the lines of the Netflix Daredevil show that would basically be a Mirage adaptation. Three seasons, first covering Vol. 1 #1 through to the retreat to Northampton, the second covering up to Return to New York, third season City at War. Obviously wouldn't adapt everything but enough to cover the core story.

This is the part I really, really want but doubt we will see as the budget would be too much. Plus it would need a commitment to at least 2 of the three seasons (you could end after RTNY but definitely not on the retreat) before you start. Maybe as an animated series it would be a more realistic prospect but I really want live action for this.

[Mondo_Gecko]

I just happened to be on the forums from being bored over the holidays.

Correct me if I'm wrong, I don't come on as much as I used to, either daily or weekly anymore. I feel this is a recurring topic but it won't stop me from engaging.

If I had a say or even control, I think I'd want a balance that the 2012 series did. I love the mix of Mirage, Fred Wolf, the movies and even the 2003 series. They did little bits of Archie too but I'd dive more into incorporating and amalgamating all iterations of it.

So for me I'd use everything we have up to this point, I'd use elements of Mirage (even asking members such as Andrew, there used be a user named Karpo WAY BACK WHEN, and former Mirage staff and fans), the Fred Wolf cartoon, the movies, the 1987-1996 Playmates toyline, the Archie Comics, Turtle RPG Other Tales of Strangeness, the video games, 2003 series, 2012, IDW and even Rise.

FEW MISC THOUGHTS

- I'd keep April as a reporter, I'd love to use the idea of Krang being a rogue Utrom instead of being a separate character from an unknown race.

- One thing I've loved about 2012, is introducing new mutants. Having Snakeweed, Spider Bytez and then Shredder's two henchman being Dogpound and Fishface before Bebop & Rocksteady which was the expected choice was really cool.

- So I'd continue that tradition, not just NEW mutants, but NEW human characters, villains, demons, aliens etc. Keep building and expand the universe.

- I also liked the idea of Shredder from 2012 having a large group of mutants (Dogpound, Fishface, Baxter, Tigerclaw, Bebop & Rocksteady) so I would keep that or have rogue factions either solo or go off on their own. I found that so interesting.

ADAPTATIONS

I would adapt Archie because I feel they really have been forgotten. There are so many interesting arcs such as meeting Cudley, wresting on Stump Asteroid, leaving New York and exploring South America meeting Jagwar, Dreadmon, introducing Null, Maligna, Scull & Bean, seeing the Mighty Mutanimals form, meeting the Warrior Dragon and Ninjara. Meeting Armaggon, The Future Shark Trilogy with the Future Turtles. Then of course their world tour arc with Al Falqua, Katmandu, Golani. And not forgetting the stand alone characters such as The Uncanny Trio, Monsterex, Pig Foot, Sea Dog, Kid Cortex, Oxy Moron, Vid Vicious, Wyrym and Scumbug, and Chameleon.

There's also interesting standalone stories such as the skeleton ghost ship or Monsterex,

I would HEAVILY FOCUS on continuity and being serialized and worldbuilding. Don't get me wrong I love stand alone episodes too.

WORLDBUILDING

SEWER WORLD

I love the sewer having a plethora of characters so its not always Shredder or Krang.

You have the Turtles, Splinter, Metalhead, Rat King, Mondo Gecko, Muckman, Ray, Scumbug and Wyrm. With possibly Mona Lisa and Ninjara and Leatherhead coming and going depending where his alliance stands.

NEW YORK CITY

In New York area you have Shredder, Krang, Tatsu, April, Bebop, Rocksteady, Rahzar, Tokka, Dogpound, Fishface, Tigerclaw, Snakeweed, Spider Bytez, Baxter Stockman, Groundchuck, Dirtbag, Mutagen Man, Warrior Dragon, Keno, Zach, Tempestra, Pizza Face (Human Chef), Pigeon Pete, Old Hob, Alopex, Chameleon (depending if he's in New York on a mission), Perri Grey, Anti-Mutant Turtle Squad, Dirk Savage, Crooked Mutant Ninja Turtle Squad and Channel 6 News Crew.

FLORIDA

You have the Punk Frogs in Florida and again depending on Leatherhead's alliance or if he's a neutral character.. I'd love to see their base, do they they have a vehicle such as an Air boat? Who are their friends? Who are their enemies?

WORLD

I've recently being watching Gargoyles and their World Tour Arc reminded me of what Archie did. I would have loved to see toy only characters such as Sargent Bananas, Walkabout be included. There are so many opportunities exploring locales and countries such as South America, Japan, The Middle East, Nepal so you can have The Mighty Mutaniamals, Conversation Corps, The Uncanny Trio, Null, Vid Vicious, Gang of Four, Al Falqua, Katmandu, Golani, Pig Foot, Sea Dog, Kid Cortex, Oxy Moron, Merdude, Slash, and Chameleon. as well as original characters.

THE UNIVERSE

Now in space, the Universe and well as the multiverse you have Cudley the Cowlick, Stump & Sling on Stump Asteroid, Fugitoid, The Triceratons, Bellybomb, Dimension X with the General Tragg and the rock soldiers, the Neutrinos, Maligna, Scull & Bean, Lord Dregg etc

THE MUTANTS

Now I'm biased because I've ALWAYS LOVED THE MUTANTS (I think it comes from being a huge animal lover but also loving monsters), so my vision would have lots of mutants.

ADPATATIONS

I'd love to see Ray from Fred Wolf return, Mona Lisa's character from Fred Wolf. I'd love to see Rahzar and Tokka's incarnation from the cartoon. I thought they were so much more interesting to explore. Ace Duck finally getting adapted (Hopefully as a fighter pilot/spy). Bloodsucker from Mirage, Tora from TMNT II: The Arcade Game, Shaun O'Hair from the RPG, but also characters from IDW, such as Old Hob, Alopex, Koya, Bludgeon, Angleron, Jennika, Diamond, Bandit and The Slithery.

CHARACTER RETURNS

I'm hoping we see the returns of Snakeweed, Spider Bytez, Tiger Claw, Newtralizer, Meat Sweats and Repomantis. I like the idea of another plant based mutant like The Creep if it's actually a developed character opposed to an homage.

INCONSISTENT MUTAGEN

I'd like if we're going to have inconsistent mutagen that it's because rogue scientists altered it so we got characters like Ray, Mona Lisa or Dog Pound with his giant arm, Fishface missing his legs, Spider Bytez being a huge spider as opposed to an anthropomorphic spider. PLEASE DEAR GOD NO GIANT PIZZA FACE or Squirrelanoids.

This would also allow you do giant insects from the Fred Wolf cartoon maybe adaptation Needlenose and Killer Bee and explaining Muckman and Mutagen Man's mutations.

This would allow rogue scientists maybe facing off with not only the Turtles but Shredder and Krang if Mutagen is constantly falling in the wrong hands.

And with inconsistent mutagen there could be more feral mutants or mutants that aren't sentient. It MADE NO SENSE that Kirby and Dr. Rockwell lost their humanity IMMEDIATELY whereas Dogpound, Fishface,Tigerclaw, Bebop & Rocksteady, Mondo Gecko were their normal selves.

BEING WARY OF TOO MANY HOMAGES

I don't mind Ciro, Brandon or other writers wanting to create monsters whether their sentient or just homages but maybe just focus on creating less homages and original characters as opposed to hey let's do an Aliens Ripoff with the Xenomorphs being squirrels, The Creep being Jason Vorhees or the ghost being the guy from Big Trouble in Little China.

ARCS, GROUP AFFILIATIONS

There's no reason why the Mighty Mutaniamals can't expand or separate groups like the Punk Frogs or Conversation Corps to emerge. While the 2012 played with the Mutanimals roster there's no reason one of the Punk Frogs, couldn't join as a reserve member such as Raphael. You could have Ace Duck, Chameleon, Mona Lisa, Ninjara, Perri Grey, Walkabout and Al Falqua.

Another interesting thought is Leatherhead and one or all of the Punk Frogs forging a friendship or Ray who left more of a neutral character forming a relationship with Man Ray.

You could also have arc such as the Archie Turtle/Mutaniamals crossover but adding on where the Turtles, The Mighty Mutanimals, Punk Frogs and Conservation Corps coming together to fight a new existing worldwide threat.

I do like the Mutant Town arc in IDW and I feel there's a place for Baron Draxum and Big Mama without the oozesquitos that could be really interesting.

Another thought I still feel is such a MISSED OPPORTUNITY was the Dirk Savage: Mutant Hunter episode. What a great way to incorporate the mutants such as the Punk Frogs, Mondo Gecko, Mona Lisa, Muckman and Ray.

You also have mutants such as Bebop & Rocksteady getting kidnapped that the Turtles having to save would have been an interesting dilemma.

And continuing the Anti Mutant Turtle Squad thread from "Invasion of the Punk Frogs", maybe Dirk Savage went off on his own, ala renegade for hire and got blinded by A.J. Howard's rhetoric. Also maybe make A.J. Howard an actual character that would turn into a legitimate threat adding him to the rogue's gallery. AS a side note, Slugs or snail mutants are cool.

It could have been an interesting arc, maybe incorporating Mutant Town from IDW or other mutants from outside New York to help out.

FUTURE MOVIES

In terms of movies, as as I have a HUGE rat phobia, I'd love to see Rat King as the villain in a movie, Leatherhead could be great, or just creating a new villain like Max Winters from the 2007 film.

Thanks for letting me share my thoughts. What does everyone else think? Do you love Archie as much as I do? Which characters do you either wish were more developed or return in the next iteration?

[D-ray]

I'd make a new 2D series similar to the 2003 one without the exaggerated censorship of 4Kids.
Not necessarily loyal to the comics again, but sure I would make it more appealing to teenagers/adults rather than kids.

Yeah, basically the 4Kids series without 4Kids.

[Monty Mole]

I'd make a new 2D series similar to the 2003 one without the exaggerated censorship of 4Kids.
Not necessarily loyal to the comics again, but sure I would make it more appealing to teenagers/adults rather than kids.

Yeah, basically the 4Kids series without 4Kids.

That's exactly what I would've done. I wouldn't go hard R with it, but I'd want to be able to show blood and a bit of foul language like in the comics.

If it was gonna lean towards any version, I'd choose Mirage, but I'd still want it to be a bit of it's own thing too.