Setting the record straight: Peter Laird

[Nobody_At_All]

Don't kid yourselves guys, anytime there's a weirdo choice in the line (which basically means off-color themes or strange "new" character choices) it's all Pete. Remember what Eastman just said in his interview: the creative portion is strictly Laird now.

I've got a few good friends that have worked at Playmates in the recent past (specifically people that worked on 2k3-ff-movie). They all say the same thing:

Peter's not interested in doing "new" versions of any of your beloved characters (80’s or comic…whether they appeared in the show or not), nor new characters from 2k3 in the "movie style.”

Look at Alien Hunters. With a theme like that you'd expect to see new takes on a Triceraton, maybe an Utrom and for good measure Fugitoid. Why? Because they’re obvious thematic choices. I can assure you those were propositioned!

Yes Playmates is going to do toy-ettic "Auto Attack" like figs. to fill a pricepoint at retail, but you bet your buns they're going to push for brand-iconinc main and secondary characters. That's the business that makes sense and makes them money! You don't go and buy Spider-man toys of "made up" villains-- no one would buy 'em. You'd want Venom, Mysterio and the lot. And while a core chunk of the old TMNT business was "made up characters" (which were ridiculously fun) Playmates isn't allowed to "go there" and humanize nor mutate anything (a specific rule from Peter). If you get an anthropromorphic character in the line (like we will with Global Mutant Missions) they must be "already existing or created without mutagen" like a urban legend: Sasquatch or Moth man, that sort of thing.

Bottom line: Peter's always flexing his “creative” power just to feel like he’s accomplishing something. He’s what the industry calls “bad creative,” meaning he holds too tight to his ideas and sadly like a strangling vine around a rosebed, gradually kills the growth, security and beauty of the property. Now that he's "made his peace" with the 2k3 toon he should let others try on TMNT and allow the brand to truly flourish once again (and collect his checks). If Stan Lee kept writing and directing all of his Marvel creations indefinitely, I can guarantee you they wouldn't be around anymore today. His stories and ideas wouldn't have translated era after era without the energy and contextual rationalization of new creative teams. Stan learned early on that he had created something unique and had to "let go" like a good parent. He knew that many of his creations would outlive him. Peter just hasn't got a hold of that one yet and like a greedy child holds tight to his possession, massaging his insecurities.

Playmates can come up with greatest and most awkward choices imaginable for the line, but at the end of the day, the direction and approval comes from somewhere….and I can assure you it’s not from Costa Mesa, CA.


Nobody_At_All