Something interesting/disturbing...
 

I'm not entirely clear what the details are, but Pete's sabbatical from all things Turtles has apparently come to an end after finding out how much the script for the movie had changed in his absense. Apparently he was a little freaked out about the film due to the changes made to the script he wasn't made aware of and has returned earlier to steer things back around...

Where'd you read this?

Pete? Peter Laird? Micro-managing stuff? Why, you don't say!

Seriously, what sabbatical? I thought Laird was taking time from his TMNT comic to work on film related stuff. And he's also been reviewing TMNT tv scripts all along.

What are your sources, dude?

That is disturbing, I'd like to see a source.

Based on everything I've read Pete has been involved everystep of the way. He decided to put Vol. 4 on hold because he really wants to make sure the film comes out as best as possible. Since, let's be honest, this film will make or break the revival of this franchise. Fast Forward is clearly an indication of a franchise in its death throes.

Source dude?

Whoops! Sorry guys, a friend of mine apparently knows someone over at Mirage, and mentioned it in an email to him.

So doest that mean that Max Winters no longer will have made a pact with the Devil?

Indeed, it means Minnie Summers will cut a deal with George Burns.

Or, it doesn't mean anything at this point.

It seems we have conflicting information on how much involvement Peter Laird has had. Intriguing.

That's interesting.

With Comic Con revealing that Mako had already recorded most (if not all) of his dialogue that implied to me that a lot of the voice recording work had already been done, which means that the script should have been approved months ago.

Maybe this is part of the reason we haven't had any more news on the film (including the promised cast announcements) since SDCC?

Just out of curiosity how old is the info that email? Because Pete taking time off TMNT comic to oversee the TMNT movie came within the last 6 months (when he was apparently on sabbatical).

I'm wondering if Pete's 6 month sabbatical was actually earlier this year and ended around the time he put TMNT comic on hold for TMNT movie. I guess it could make sense given the last 6 months of the TV show would have been Fast Forward, and he may not have been as heavily involved in that as he was in 2K3, and much of the pre-production on the movie would also have been done by then.

I must admit I was unaware of any sabbatical and thought that he was still heavily involved in all TMNT (overseeing TV, movie and Tales). As for his break from the TMNT comic I put that down to him wanting to oversee the final phases of the film's production to ensure that it's as good as can be, but also because he has been considering a break from the comic for a while.

Guess we'll see, but I still have very high hopes for this movie.

This email came through about four and half hours ago, so it's fresh...

Curiouser and curiouser... but that was good thinking, Chris.

Not quite, the production process for the show would've started long before they went to air. Chances are Pete approved them before the hiatus.

Ahh... cool, thanks for clarifying.

Unlucky post 13. Reading this thread has now got me all confused. :tconfuse: :teek: :tcry: :tsad: :tsurpris: :tgrumble:

This is all his doing!!!! :shredder:

What sabbatical? What happend to the script? What the hell is going on?

This is interesting news. I didn't think he'd return to publishing for quite a while, which is fine. It kinda sucks that he got sabbatical for a while, though.

Same here...whatever didn't get elaborated on just seemed mysterious to me.

[QUOTE=cowabunga14;441124]This is interesting news. I didn't think he'd return to publishing for quite a while, which is fine. It kinda sucks that he got sabbatical for a while, though.

Care to rephrase that.

How and why did you recieve/see an email from Steve Murphy?

If this is true about Peter Laird, well I don't blame him FOR GOING NUTS.
Cowabunga Carl, that stupid looking van(the most uncool looking toy ever) what are they doing to Mike?
A childrens entertainer, I cringed when I heard this, could they do anymore to make the Turtles look uncool? probably.

Ooo... TMNT entertaining children... the horror!

The Mike scenario could be funny, but going by the humour in the previous two movies, it could fall flat on it's face and be completely cringe worthy.

A kid kicks Mike in the balls, yeah hilarious, give me a break, that's just tired and stupid.
I don't mind the odd bit of slapstick(although I would rather none) but I hope they don't over do it.

Then again maybe I should just free my mind and send some suggestions to Kevin Munroe.
Maybe they should have Donatello going around dressed as a boy scout selling cookies.
Maybe Raph could help old people in a care centre.
Now that would really make my day, that and Wolverine in his standalone movie useing his claws to turn soil in a garden centre.

You want to see ninjas ninjaing.

Really, I agree with you, but I'm not ready to dismiss it out of hand. I seriously doubt they're trying to make Mike look uncool. True, children's entertainers are not "cool"... but then again I've never cared what's hot and what's not.

People are gonna go into this with preconceived notions no matter what, 'cuz TMNT is inescapable and everyone has an opinion on it... so chances are that they'll see what they want to see, for the most part.

Yeah I know what you're saying, I guess they're are just trying to appeal to everyone, kids, 20 somethings that used to be fans as kids themselves, the mirage comics fans, new toon fans etc.

I dunno, I guess I always wanted to see a TMNT movie with an Indiana Jones type of feel, people of all ages can enjoy it, but it's still dark with lots of adventure and peril, and doesn't make the characters seem stupid for a cheap laugh.

Well... I have to admit - I actually didn’t receive it myself, sorry. AND I got the details wrong. A friend of mine knows someone over at Mirage or something, and they were discussing the new film and the status of the comics when the guy mentioned that Peter’s hiatus had finished and that he’d come back to focus solely on the film. Looking back on that post, it doesn’t read the way I intended it to, as I really only glimpsed the email, and I read it as being FROM Murphy (which it wasn’t) - the guy said the news of Laird’s early return came from Murphy though.
I know it's kind of shady information, but at least people’s worries about the film’s direction can be put to rest now that Pete’s back overseeing the final stages.

Tsk tsk... uncertain sources. Shame, shame, puppydog shame.

Or ... rat... er... ratty shame. Or some kind of rat-humanoid... kind... of... um...

Nevermind.

Booooooooooooooooooooooooo! Hissssss! Throws tomatoes. Another internet "I have a friend of a friend, who knows a guy, who works at ___" BS story. Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooo!

I'll give you a reprieve because your upcoming comic info is usually pretty good, but learn your lesson.

I think someone needs to take all this rage and put it in the happy box.

Why I rarely lurk
 

This is intended for "Master Splinter."

I'm really glad that 1) it took this site's administrator the better part of yesterday to grant me posting privileges, and 2) you posted the above-quoted passage... because, man, did you have my blood pressure up yesterday with your pre-edited postings #1 and 6. Especially 6, where you quoted me from some imaginary source. Good thing I gave up cursing. Good thing I've had a chance to cool down. Good thing you posted your correction, "sensei."

To help set the record straight, I offer the following:

1. Peter Laird has indeed returned to overseeing Mirage Publishing after having taken a hiatus during the past 5 months or so. This means that he will now return to editing "Tales of the TMNT," as well creatively returning to the "TMNT" comic book series. As far as when the latter series will return to our publishing schedule, beats me -- it's up to Pete... but don't look for it anytime too soon.

2. Peter Laird, as far as I know, has never taken a hiatus from overseeing production of the TMNT movie.

3. I don't know where you got the misinformation noted in post #1. There's no truth to it at all that I know of.

4. I saw a 12-minute sort of "Reader's Digest condensed form" of the movie this past weekend (something highlighting the action and imparting a sense of the story and intended for licensees and film exhibitors) and judging by the finished animation that it consisted of... I can honestly say that the film looks absolutely amazing.

5. The Cowabunga Carl stuff is brief and somewhat slapstick and in no way detracts from the (what I consider) dark action-adventure tone of the film. There are plenty of "ninjas ninjaing" and much, much more...

-Later.

Well that clears that up.

Wow - I feel terrible...

If it helps at all I did get my source "confirmed" and it was a massive case of me jumping to conclusions. My friend and his friend were talking about the new film and the current status of the tmnt and mentioned in the email that he'd spoken/emailed you (Murphy) a few times regarding the comics. When I posted the info I'd read that glimpse of your name as the source - but found out later that it was just a passing mention of your name, so my apologies for whatever grief I caused on your end (I had no idea you guys even read these boards!)

On the flipside, everything mentioned there comes as awesome news, especially the cowabunga carl stuff and that the main TMNT comic looks to be picking up again!

You dirty rat
 

No real harm done, sensei.

I've never actually been to the Technodrome site before and only learned about your postings from a friend who sent me the link to this thread. I had no idea the Technodrome was so... I dunno, capacious (word of the day).

Yeah, it is cool that Pete's returned to comics. We're going to work together on the plots to some of the 5 movie "prequel" comics that Mirage will be putting out in the weeks preceding the 3.30.07 release of the movie. The plots are based on Pete and director Kevin Munroe's "back story" notes... stuff that they wished to have included in the film but couldn't since it would have led to an unreasonable running time.

Firstly I want to say a very warm welcome to the Technodrome Steve!

And secondly thanks for clearing everything up, I think it's safe to say a few people were quite worried by the original post.

I'm very happy to hear Peter Laird has returned to overseeing Mirage Publishing and the TMNT comic. I'm not expecting a new issue until after the movie, but I can't wait to see how the story moves forward, especially Leo and the new Shredder!

Also very glad to hear that he's never taken a break from being involved in the movie and that there's never been any issues with the script.

Glad you liked what you saw. I loved the trailer and if the animation quality is that good in the finished product I'll be very happy. The same goes for the tone of the film I got from the trailer - dark and adventurous but not afraid to use humor and be funny.

I'm really looking forward to the six TMNT movie comics, especially the 5 prequels. I must admit I am curious about the format they will take. Will they be one complete background story told over 5 issues or will it be 1 issue covering the basic back story from the first films (origin, Shredder, etc.) and then 4 issues each focused on a different Turtle in the period between the old films and the new?

Keep up the good work with Tales! You're well on your way to becoming the longest running TMNT comic! Only the original Vol. 1 and the Archie comics have more issues than you now! Here's hoping you can be the first TMNT comic to reach 100 issues!

Thank you, Mr. Murphy, for answering all those questions! Welcome to the 'Drome! I really think all you "insiders" should have a blog at ninjaturtles.com where you could provide your insight. That would rule.

And don't despair, MasterSplinter, at least this thread hasn't been boring! ;)

I too thank you Mr. Murphy for taking the time to post on the board...very cool of you to do that. I wish you guys luck on the film, and hope we'll hear about who the voice actors will be soon. And welcome to the board.

Murph's posting here? How cool is that? Laird and Murph are writing comics to bridge the gap between the first film and the new one? HOW COOL IS THAT?

Ice cold? :embarass:

alrightalrightalrightalrightalrightalrightalright ...

Whoa... THE Stephen Murphy is posting at The Technodrome.... so cool! And gives us the heads up, personally, on the new movie. You gotta love being a member here.

Hold yer horses, er... turtles
 

No need to call me "Mr. Murphy." I much prefer "Mr. Clarify!" (Seriously, you can call me Murph or Murphy.)

Okay, with regards to the 5 "prequel" comics...

They do not bridge any sort of gap between old movies and new movie. What they do is give us more of a "back story" to the new movie. That is, they provide us with additional story material that while not pivotal to the story or events of the new movie, are, we hope, interesting back stories (background material) that relate to either the characters or events of the new movie. Does that make sense?

See, there are five prequels, each focusing on a different character. In order of release:

1. Raphael
2. Michelangelo
3. Donatello
4. April
5. Leonardo

(Sorry, Splinter!)

And in addition -- and in varying degrees of tightness or looseness, depending on the issue -- each issue leads in some way to the next, although not in the usual "to be continued" fashion. (Each issue stands alone as a complete one-issue story.) I guess I'm saying that there are secondary elements to each story that carry into subsequent issues.

Anyway, we just sent the solicitation info for each issue to Diamond for their January issue of Previews, for comics coming out in March.

Oh, and all 5 covers fit together to make one wide single image. I don't think we'd ever put 'em together as a poster but... you get the idea.

Oh oh, and the idea that us Mirage folk should have individual blogs on the Mirage website is a great idea. Me, personally, though... I'd rather have and would need an additional hour or two a day! Blogs, at least for me, take a lot of time. I tried one once... and lost it after one mere posting. How pathetic is that?

I'm not so sure if you can answer this Murphy, being we have a long way to go before the movie hits the screen, but I was wondering: if you hade to describe the movie, would you say it really is "darker" than the previous three or not that much? If not darker, can you describe the tone that the new film will have? I understand if those details can't be revealed at this time and thanks for joining this site. Looking forward to your insight.

Haha... I am 3 times as pathetic... because I've tried to start 3 blogs, but between my work and all my volunteer work and, well, LIFE... they went nowhere fast.

I was thinking one single blog for Mirage associates (maybe with guest contributors too). So people could contribute individually, but there's no pressure to do it like every day or every week, or even every month. The tmnt fans are always craving updates, followups, and stories. Just an idea though. Thanks for considering.

Oh, and if you're still reading here Murphy, one more thing to consider: people who like TMNT really, REALLY want the new movie to succeed for the vitality of the franchise, and many of them would love to help that happen. It would be great if there were promo materials for the fans to collect/distribute (some things, like nifty computer wallpaper, are practically free, for starters).

Thanks for the answer Murphy! I'm really looking forward to those comics! I'm so excited about this movie, I just to see it now!