Ninja Turtles back in (...live) action

willtupper · 04-22-2009, 10:27 PM

HOLLYWOOD -- The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are making their way back to the bigscreen.

The Mirage Group, which owns the property, is moving forward with a live-action film focusing on the origins of the iconic crime fighters. Project, targeted for release in 2011, would mark the fifth bigscreen outing for the sewer-dwelling heroes Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael as well as their master Splinter.

News coincides with the Turtles' 25th anniversary celebration, which kicks off Thursday in New York as the first "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" film unspools at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Legendary Pictures former chief marketing officer Scott Mednick is producing the new pic alongside Galen Walker, who produced the 2007 computer-animated "TMNT" pic, the most recent installment in the franchise. Peter Laird, Gary Richardson, Frederick Fierst, Eric Crown and Napoleon Smith III are exec producing the film, which is based on the characters created by Laird and Kevin Eastman.

The characters first appeared in a May 1984 comicbook before spawning a lucrative line of toys, cartoons and three films released in the early 1990s. In 2003, the Turtles were reintroduced to a new generation via a TV series, the "TMNT" film and a revamped merchandising program.

The latest project is being financed by Lightbox Prods.

"The original dozen comics created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman are some of the best source material one could hope for," said Mednick, whose exec producing credits include the upcoming "Where the Wild Things Are." Laird, who bought out Eastman's share of the property several years ago, said the film will remain true to the spirit of the original comicbooks. He added that the pic may employ face replacement technology, which would allow the turtles to be much more expressive.

Today's 25th anniversary "Shell-ebration" will also include lighting the Empire State Building in "turtle green."

**Jester** · 04-22-2009, 10:33 PM

Hooray!!!!

*CyberCubed* · 04-22-2009, 10:54 PM

So the 5th movie is actually a go? This is real?

Is this a re-boot?

*Andrew NDB* · 04-22-2009, 10:56 PM

But they probably mean live-action, with CGI Turtles and Splinter like we've been hearing rumblings about for a while now.

---

Ninja Turtles back in (live) action
2011 film will focus on characters' origins

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=13&cs=1

HOLLYWOOD -- The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are making their way back to the bigscreen.

The Mirage Group, which owns the property, is moving forward with a live-action film focusing on the origins of the iconic crime fighters. Project, targeted for release in 2011, would mark the fifth bigscreen outing for the sewer-dwelling heroes Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael as well as their master Splinter.

News coincides with the Turtles' 25th anniversary celebration, which kicks off Thursday in New York as the first "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" film unspools at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Legendary Pictures former chief marketing officer Scott Mednick is producing the new pic alongside Galen Walker, who produced the 2007 computer-animated "TMNT" pic, the most recent installment in the franchise. Peter Laird, Gary Richardson, Frederick Fierst, Eric Crown and Napoleon Smith III are exec producing the film, which is based on the characters created by Laird and Kevin Eastman.

The characters first appeared in a May 1984 comicbook before spawning a lucrative line of toys, cartoons and three films released in the early 1990s. In 2003, the Turtles were reintroduced to a new generation via a TV series, the "TMNT" film and a revamped merchandising program.

The latest project is being financed by Lightbox Prods.

"The original dozen comics created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman are some of the best source material one could hope for," said Mednick, whose exec producing credits include the upcoming "Where the Wild Things Are." Laird, who bought out Eastman's share of the property several years ago, said the film will remain true to the spirit of the original comicbooks. He added that the pic may employ face replacement technology, which would allow the turtles to be much more expressive.

Today's 25th anniversary "Shell-ebration" will also include lighting the Empire State Building in "turtle green."

---

The way this Scott Mednick is talking about the source material and his reverence for it is a good way to start.

*Andrew NDB* · 04-22-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Is this a re-boot?

God I hope so.

*cqb101* · 04-22-2009, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

So the 5th movie is actually a go? This is real?

Is this a re-boot?

Sounds like it. I'm just glad it's live action, not CGI.

*Kendamu* · 04-22-2009, 11:02 PM

Looks like a reboot to me. Considering it'll have been 21 years since the last "origin" movie, I won't mind seeing their origin done in a new movie.

*CyberCubed* · 04-22-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

God I hope so.

If by original comics they mean issues #1-11, I feel the first movie already more or less covered that.

Sans the Triceraton space stuff, but I doubt they'd use that.

I hope this is a City at War movie.

*CyberCubed* · 04-22-2009, 11:04 PM

I wonder if they'll get the same voices from the 4th movie to reprise their roles, I thought they did pretty well, although Splinter would obviously be re-casted.

I hope this winds up being something like City at War.

*TheCanadiandrome* · 04-22-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cqb101

Sounds like it. I'm just glad it's live action, not CGI.

Ditto on that

Cowabunga Kiefer · 04-22-2009, 11:12 PM

WOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, it's a miracle!!!!!!!!! Let's see if I have enough money by then to stop by Hollywood and gaze at awesomeness!!! (I don't know what that means either, but sure as hell am excited!!!

*TheCanadiandrome* · 04-22-2009, 11:16 PM

hey maybe a live-action Krang? rofl!

*Kendamu* · 04-22-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

I wonder if they'll get the same voices from the 4th movie to reprise their roles, I thought they did pretty well, although Splinter would obviously be re-casted.

I hope this winds up being something like City at War.

I hope they get a Mako sound-alike. I liked that voice for Splinter.

Looks like it'll focus on the origins, though. Not CaW.

*VaughnMichael* · 04-22-2009, 11:18 PM

This is great!
You can read more over @ Peter Lairds Blog as well!
http://plairdblog.blogspot.com/

*Spitfire* · 04-22-2009, 11:20 PM

Legendary Pictures had a hand in Hellboy so that gives me some faith. Though the all CGI turtles thing could either be a blessing or torture.

**Jester** · 04-22-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Legendary Pictures had a hand in Hellboy so that gives me some faith. Though the all CGI turtles thing could either be a blessing or torture.

Didn't Legendary also do Superman Returns? Just saying...

*Spitfire* · 04-22-2009, 11:22 PM

I posted in the other topic but if this movie does well there's a possibility of another show following. Granted 4Kids makes profit off it.

*Spitfire* · 04-22-2009, 11:23 PM

True

My point is though they've done CGI heavy pictures before so that's why I have some faith. That guy should know how much money the movie needs and if he's a marketing chief he should be able to handle it. Never heard of this production company though.

*Cipher* · 04-22-2009, 11:23 PM

If it's not PG-13, I don't give a damn.

This a huge opportunity, and they'd better push for it.

Sounds like a reboot though, and that is good news.

*Tinuvielsdreams* · 04-22-2009, 11:24 PM

I say woo hoo too! I really like reading the talks of of a hybrid film, full turtle suits with some CGI. It's seriously sounds like it could be potential amazing if they keep on this track. I can't wait to hear more when they pick a director and get it written.

04-22-2009, 10:33 PM	#2
Jester Rat-faced Dude-guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 26,300	Hooray!!!! __________________ "Clearly, you're Ninja Turtling incorrectly." - Leo656

04-22-2009, 10:56 PM	#4
Andrew NDB Weed Whacker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 34,543	TMNT Part 5 announced in Variety... live-action But they probably mean live-action, with CGI Turtles and Splinter like we've been hearing rumblings about for a while now. --- Ninja Turtles back in (live) action 2011 film will focus on characters' origins http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=13&cs=1 HOLLYWOOD -- The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are making their way back to the bigscreen. The Mirage Group, which owns the property, is moving forward with a live-action film focusing on the origins of the iconic crime fighters. Project, targeted for release in 2011, would mark the fifth bigscreen outing for the sewer-dwelling heroes Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael as well as their master Splinter. News coincides with the Turtles' 25th anniversary celebration, which kicks off Thursday in New York as the first "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" film unspools at the Tribeca Film Festival. Legendary Pictures former chief marketing officer Scott Mednick is producing the new pic alongside Galen Walker, who produced the 2007 computer-animated "TMNT" pic, the most recent installment in the franchise. Peter Laird, Gary Richardson, Frederick Fierst, Eric Crown and Napoleon Smith III are exec producing the film, which is based on the characters created by Laird and Kevin Eastman. The characters first appeared in a May 1984 comicbook before spawning a lucrative line of toys, cartoons and three films released in the early 1990s. In 2003, the Turtles were reintroduced to a new generation via a TV series, the "TMNT" film and a revamped merchandising program. The latest project is being financed by Lightbox Prods. "The original dozen comics created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman are some of the best source material one could hope for," said Mednick, whose exec producing credits include the upcoming "Where the Wild Things Are." Laird, who bought out Eastman's share of the property several years ago, said the film will remain true to the spirit of the original comicbooks. He added that the pic may employ face replacement technology, which would allow the turtles to be much more expressive. Today's 25th anniversary "Shell-ebration" will also include lighting the Empire State Building in "turtle green." --- The way this Scott Mednick is talking about the source material and his reverence for it is a good way to start.

04-22-2009, 11:16 PM	#12
TheCanadiandrome Big, Bad & Bold Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Inside the Technodrome; Shredderville; Saskatchewan Posts: 19,719	hey maybe a live-action Krang? rofl! __________________ Add me: PSN/XBL; Nintendo Network ID: BDS-3.1.6; Switch FC: SW-3378-5206-8020 TMNT Fan Club: http://sot.ag/4jZR0 Visit My Wish List: http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=30904 My Collection: http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showthread.php?t=40276

04-22-2009, 11:20 PM	#15
Spitfire Writer • Director Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 12,035	Legendary Pictures had a hand in Hellboy so that gives me some faith. Though the all CGI turtles thing could either be a blessing or torture. __________________ Check out my online portfolio http://www.christopherpelletier.com/

04-22-2009, 11:22 PM	#17
Spitfire Writer • Director Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 12,035	I posted in the other topic but if this movie does well there's a possibility of another show following. Granted 4Kids makes profit off it. __________________ Check out my online portfolio http://www.christopherpelletier.com/

04-22-2009, 10:27 PM	#1
willtupper Official TMNT Staff/Cast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 322	Ninja Turtles back in (...live) action HOLLYWOOD -- The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are making their way back to the bigscreen. The Mirage Group, which owns the property, is moving forward with a live-action film focusing on the origins of the iconic crime fighters. Project, targeted for release in 2011, would mark the fifth bigscreen outing for the sewer-dwelling heroes Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael as well as their master Splinter. News coincides with the Turtles' 25th anniversary celebration, which kicks off Thursday in New York as the first "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" film unspools at the Tribeca Film Festival. Legendary Pictures former chief marketing officer Scott Mednick is producing the new pic alongside Galen Walker, who produced the 2007 computer-animated "TMNT" pic, the most recent installment in the franchise. Peter Laird, Gary Richardson, Frederick Fierst, Eric Crown and Napoleon Smith III are exec producing the film, which is based on the characters created by Laird and Kevin Eastman. The characters first appeared in a May 1984 comicbook before spawning a lucrative line of toys, cartoons and three films released in the early 1990s. In 2003, the Turtles were reintroduced to a new generation via a TV series, the "TMNT" film and a revamped merchandising program. The latest project is being financed by Lightbox Prods. "The original dozen comics created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman are some of the best source material one could hope for," said Mednick, whose exec producing credits include the upcoming "Where the Wild Things Are." Laird, who bought out Eastman's share of the property several years ago, said the film will remain true to the spirit of the original comicbooks. He added that the pic may employ face replacement technology, which would allow the turtles to be much more expressive. Today's 25th anniversary "Shell-ebration" will also include lighting the Empire State Building in "turtle green."

04-22-2009, 10:54 PM	#3
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,872	So the 5th movie is actually a go? This is real? Is this a re-boot?

04-22-2009, 11:02 PM	#7
Kendamu Sewerhead Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,890	Looks like a reboot to me. Considering it'll have been 21 years since the last "origin" movie, I won't mind seeing their origin done in a new movie.

04-22-2009, 11:04 PM	#9
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,872	I wonder if they'll get the same voices from the 4th movie to reprise their roles, I thought they did pretty well, although Splinter would obviously be re-casted. I hope this winds up being something like City at War.

04-22-2009, 11:12 PM	#11
Cowabunga Kiefer Hench Mutant Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Born in Nashville, now I live in NYC. No TMNT sightings yet... Posts: 303	WOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, it's a miracle!!!!!!!!! Let's see if I have enough money by then to stop by Hollywood and gaze at awesomeness!!! (I don't know what that means either, but sure as hell am excited!!!

04-22-2009, 11:18 PM	#14
VaughnMichael I'm Baaaaaaccck! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 11,833	This is great! You can read more over @ Peter Lairds Blog as well! http://plairdblog.blogspot.com/

04-22-2009, 11:23 PM	#18
Spitfire Writer • Director Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 12,035	True My point is though they've done CGI heavy pictures before so that's why I have some faith. That guy should know how much money the movie needs and if he's a marketing chief he should be able to handle it. Never heard of this production company though. __________________ Check out my online portfolio http://www.christopherpelletier.com/ Last edited by Spitfire; 04-22-2009 at 11:32 PM.

04-22-2009, 11:23 PM	#19
Cipher Foot Elite Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3,454	If it's not PG-13, I don't give a damn. This a huge opportunity, and they'd better push for it. Sounds like a reboot though, and that is good news.

04-22-2009, 11:24 PM	#20
Tinuvielsdreams Nothing without passion Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,722	I say woo hoo too! I really like reading the talks of of a hybrid film, full turtle suits with some CGI. It's seriously sounds like it could be potential amazing if they keep on this track. I can't wait to hear more when they pick a director and get it written.