Kevin Eastman Talks Michael Bay Film

[Colonel Schrader]

Though Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo have recently gotten a very successful make-over on Nickelodeon, a new big screen, live-action adaptation is also in the works at Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes that will star Megan Fox. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman spoke with CBR about the project, and he seems to have high hopes about the film's possibilities.

"One of the things that's awesome about the relationship I've had with Platinum Dunes and Michael Bay and Jonathan Liebesman and some of the producers, Scott Mednick and Galen Walker on the series, is that it's probably amusing to a lot of people what the press puts out there and what they say people behind the scenes really want to do with the movie, but [Platinum Dunes'] main goal is actually to make the best possible "Turtles" movie with respect to the fans and the core audience as possible.

"From everything that I've seen in the ["TMNT"] script and the development and everything they've asked my input on specifically, it's gonna be an awesome, familiar, solid "Turtles" movie. It'll have everything that fans are gonna want and then some.

"Much like you look at what they're doing at Nickelodeon with the new animated series, it's all based solidly on the "Turtles" foundation, but they've hit the reset button. They've taken it back to the first episode, with the Turtles first time above ground after many years of training with Master Splinter. They're making a "Turtles" origin that is firmly rooted in "Turtles" history, but a slight tweak here and a slight tweak there. It's been enjoyable and the IDW series is much the same, in that it's firmly rooted in "Turtles" history, but multiple "Turtles" universes."

The film is rumored to begin production this April. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles features a screenplay by Josh Appelbaum, Andrew Nemec, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway and John Fusco, based on the characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. The Jonathan Liebesman-directed film is scheduld for a June 6, 2014 release date.

Source: http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=101599

[ryukenden]

Hope you're right, Kevin.

[Slade]

Really hope this isn't just a sugar coating.

[CyberCubed]

If the Turtles are still aliens the movie is not true to the characters, period.

IDW and Nick changed some things but still stayed true to the franchise roots which is why they're good reboots. I don't know if this can do the same.

[Powder]

Originally Posted by Colonel Schrader

[Platinum Dunes'] main goal is actually to make the best possible "Turtles" movie with respect to the fans and the core audience as possible.

That must be why they cast someone that 90% of the population hates the idea of for the role of April O'neil.

[Colonel Schrader]

Originally Posted by Powder

That must be why they cast someone that 90% of the population hates the idea of for the role of April O'neil.

what 90% of the population? its just a few fanboys bitching about it, don't make up some fake stat like that without proof to back it up,there are far more megan fox fans out there than haters. over 40mil likes on her fb page is a good indication of how many fans she has.
for most ppl it will be a summer popcorn flick that they will watch for the action and they don't really care about who is playing April. She is eye candy that will sell tickets.

A few ppl on tmnt forums not liking her as April is not 90% of the population.. plus you have not even seen what she will look like in the movie and what her role will be. Kevin Eastman has seen the story, If he says its going to be good, I have faith that its going to be good.

[Martin]

Originally Posted by Powder

That must be why they cast someone that 90% of the population hates the idea of for the role of April O'neil.

90% of the population who already likes the turtles. They are pitching the movie to a much broader audience (who probably don't care who plays the part) than just us fans. Megan Fox sells tickets, or so I believe.

Anyway, as someone already said: I hope you're right kevin...

[Coola Yagami]

Taking it with a grain of salt.... the movie will be made for a broad audience. Actual turtle fans are not the main demographic.

[Powder]

Originally Posted by Colonel Schrader

what 90% of the population? its just a few fanboys bitching about it, don't make up some fake stat like that without proof to back it up,there are far more megan fox fans out there than haters. over 40mil likes on her fb page is a good indication of how many fans she has.
for most ppl it will be a summer popcorn flick that they will watch for the action and they don't really care about who is playing April. She is eye candy that will sell tickets.

A few ppl on tmnt forums not liking her as April is not 90% of the population.. plus you have not even seen what she will look like in the movie and what her role will be. Kevin Eastman has seen the story, If he says its going to be good, I have faith that its going to be good.

A. You've clearly never seen someone make an exaggerated remark before. Way to waste your words. The point is, they claim they're doing things for turtles fans, when realistically they don't care what we have to say.

B. Her fans can kick rocks. Most turtle fans are throwing a fit over this, and I'm not talking about just the drome. The fact she's just eye candy to sell tickets (your words, not mine, though I agree) is the problem.

C. I know what her role will be, she's been confirmed for April already.

D. Kevin Eastman is responsible for The Next Mutation & thought Venus was a great character/idea. Don't you dare sit there and act like his opinions really bear any weight for what most turtle fans will feel.

[sykosis]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

If the Turtles are still aliens the movie is not true to the characters, period.

IDW and Nick changed some things but still stayed true to the franchise roots which is why they're good reboots. I don't know if this can do the same.

I thought they cleared the air saying the Mutagen is alien, not that the Turtles themselves were aliens. In which case it's fairly true to the original story

[sykosis]

Originally Posted by Powder

That must be why they cast someone that 90% of the population hates the idea of for the role of April O'neil.

maybe she took some more acting classes

[Powder]

Originally Posted by sykosis

I thought they cleared the air saying the Mutagen is alien, not that the Turtles themselves were aliens. In which case it's fairly true to the original story

The leaked script had shown they were in fact from a planet of humanoid turtle warriors. Even Shredder was an alien in it. The script itself has since been tossed, but whether or not any of the concepts are still being used remains to be seen. Based on the above statement by Kevin, I guess they're not... One never knows, though.

[frank_one]

Originally Posted by Colonel Schrader

"They're making a "Turtles" origin that is firmly rooted in "Turtles" history, but a slight tweak here and a slight tweak there".

Source: http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=101599

Yeah, a slight tweak here and there: the turtles will be alien but the movie will be firmly rooted in "Turtles" history. Slight tweaks, sure.

[grungethemovie]

yeah, the turtles always had alien origins, well besides soto (but i guess we all were waiting for krang in 3,no?)

there are other eye-candies out there, using megan fox is just too easy

kevin is not the core-protection-nerd, that's peter, kevin is the wohoo-whatever-goes-rockstar

[Jester]

Yeah...I love and respect my fellow Kevin, but I always take his opinion with a freakin' salt lick.

[Xav]

Originally Posted by Colonel Schrader

what 90% of the population? its just a few fanboys bitching about it, don't make up some fake stat like that without proof to back it up,there are far more megan fox fans out there than haters. over 40mil likes on her fb page is a good indication of how many fans she has.
for most ppl it will be a summer popcorn flick that they will watch for the action and they don't really care about who is playing April. She is eye candy that will sell tickets.

If Fox has so many fans than why didn't they come out to see her non-Transformers films?

[chrisdude]

1. A simple twitter search will show that people do not approve of Megan Fox's casting.

2. Anna Kendrick and Elizabeth Olsen were considered for the role. Regardless of this 90% business, Powder's point still stands that it was absolutely not a decision made "with respect to the fans."

3. Michael Bay lied about not having anything to do with the leaked script. So why should we believe that that script was trashed?

4. Let's all remember what a "fan" is. I've met countless people who watched the TMNT cartoon as a kid, and don't even remember the turtles' names, or what color their bananas were. And if you've ever worn a TMNT t-shirt as an adult, you've probably run into those people to. They were fans. they enjoyed the show. But it's not a part of their life that stuck with them. Some pizza and a "cowabunga" is all the fan service they'll need, and Michael Bay probably knows that.

[Vegita-San]

although i like kevin.. he created the blasted thing and he's proved he STILL gets it with his IDW run.. He is the ultimate sales person...The folks running the show now don't have the best creative track record.

Remember, he was the one who said Next Mutation was the greatest thing Ever, and look how that turned out! i've said it before in a joking matter, but it's true.... "of course you like it, they pay your check!" ;o)

i have no doubt that leaked script is what they WHERE going to go with. some kind soul leaked it, the up roar happened, and now they are probably going to make a few changes.. but knowing the ego of Mr.Bay, probably not many.

If they listen to Kevin At all :Mr.Bay nods, pretends he's listening and thinks 'sure old man..boobs..explosions is where i'm going'...his soul purpose is to at least try and make sure they don't crap all over it like they did transformers...

[STORMSHADOW__210]

Originally Posted by Colonel Schrader

what 90% of the population? its just a few fanboys bitching about it, don't make up some fake stat like that without proof to back it up,there are far more megan fox fans out there than haters. over 40mil likes on her fb page is a good indication of how many fans she has.
for most ppl it will be a summer popcorn flick that they will watch for the action and they don't really care about who is playing April. She is eye candy that will sell tickets.

A few ppl on tmnt forums not liking her as April is not 90% of the population.. plus you have not even seen what she will look like in the movie and what her role will be. Kevin Eastman has seen the story, If he says its going to be good, I have faith that its going to be good.

Quoted for truth!

[sykosis]

Originally Posted by chrisdude

or what color their bananas were.

YELLOW!
Green if they weren't ripe yet. The ones in the trash? Brown