Michael Bay's Ninja Turtles Reboot Delayed

by SuperHeroHype

June 15, 2012

Paramount Pictures has postponed the planned release of the upcoming Platinum Dunes reboot, Ninja Turtles. Originally set for release on Christmas Day, 2013, the project's start has been pushed back by 10 weeks and is now targeting a May 16, 2014 release. This is the same date as Marvel Studios' untitled film.

Michael Bay is producing with Jonathan Liebesman (Wrath of the Titans) directing from a screenplay by Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec (Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol). The turtles are expected to be motion capture CGI, much like what we saw in last year's Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

The franchise, which began as a black and white comic book series in 1984, rose to tremendous popularity when it became an animated series in 1987. Following the first live-action film in 1990, the series spawned two live-action sequels, a live-action television series, a second animated series and a CGI feature film.

We recently posted a list of who they'd like to see in the movie which you can read here.

Kevin Eastman Talks Ninja Turtles Movie

by SuperHeroHype

July 17, 2012

As we've reported to you before, the planned Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot has been pushed back from a Christmas 2013 release date to May 2014. MTV recently caught up with the Turtles' co-creator Kevin Eastman to talk about the film and he offered some optimistic insight:

"From what I've seen, it's easily the best 'Turtle' movie yet. We're talking 'Raid: Redemption'-style fight scenes; we're talking about epic 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' sort of effects."

When asked about what the reasoning was behind the delay, Eastman offered: "A lot of people are worried we pushed the release date from December to May, but the 30th anniversary of the 'Turtles' is in May, so it worked out perfectly."

He was also asked his opinion on the changes being made to his creation for the sake of the film: "I know that Michael [Bay] and his group really like that and that Paramount was supportive of that, so I think that it's great. I grew up reading 'Captain America' and 'The Avengers' and all that stuff, and over the course of the comic book history, since 'Avengers' has been around, how many times has it been reinvented, reformatted, restructured, replatformed?"

Ninja Turtles is now slated for a May 16, 2014 release date.

TMNT Co-Creator Says Film Will be 'Fantastic'

by SuperHeroHype

November 20, 2012

The upcoming reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, titled simply Ninja Turtles, has been a bit of a controversy since it was announced, but co-creator Kevin Eastman wants fans to know they shouldn't worry. He's already on the record as saying it will be a great film and he reiterated that in an interview with Examiner.com.

"This will be a great TMNT film," said Eastman. "Much like many thirty year old concepts, the TMNT's have been re-invented a number of times, some were stronger than others, but if you look at what Viacom/Nickelodeon has done/allowed to happen with the new TMNT animated TV series, and the new IDW comic series, each has a slightly new and refreshed take on the 'core concept,' the new film with be the same, a film 'well placed' in the TMNT lore the fans will enjoy. If we learned nothing else from one of my favorite Comic Book Based Films, 'The Avengers,' that there's a lot to be said about never forgetting that core concept and core fan-base."

He also told NBC Chicago about the script and what films the production is looking at for influence.

“From what I’ve seen of the script, it’s fantastic. Michael Bay has made some great and intense movies. We’re talking about being inspired by movies like ‘The Avengers’ for scope and roots origin and ‘The Raid: Redemption’ for fight scenes and ‘Rise for the Apes’ as far as computer-quality style.”

And where does Eastman fit into the film? Is he actually working on it?

"General creative consultant for the most part, which is cool as I get to wear a number of hats. From kicking the tires on a few plot threads with the awesome writers, Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec, here and there, to banging out cool character doodles for director Liebesman, they bring me in regularly to show off the latest landscape, and to get my thoughts, and so far, I'm 1000% on board! I know it will be an awesome film, and the start of a killer new franchise for Viacom."

Ninja Turtles is now slated for a May 16, 2014 release date.

Michael Bay's Ninja Turtles to Start Filming in April?

by SuperHeroHype

January 13, 2013

The upcoming Michael Bay-produced Ninja Turtles is looking to start production soon as Production Weekly is reporting that the new movie will start filming this April in New York.

To be directed by Jonathan Liebesman , Ninja Turtles is currently scheduled to be released on May 16, 2014, the same date as Warner Bros.' juggernaut Godzilla.

There's been quite a bit of controversy about the project. It all started when Bay said that the turtles in the movie would be of alien origin and then the name was shortened from "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" to Ninja Turtles. Bay defended that decision with the following statement last March:

"Paramount marketing changed the name. They made the title simple. The characters you all remember are exactly the same, and yes they still act like teenagers. Everything you remember, why you liked the characters, is in the movie. This script is being developed by two very smart writers, with one of the original creators of Ninja Turtles. They care VERY MUCH about making this film for the fans. Everyone on this team cares about the fans. Just give them a chance. Jonathan the director, is a major fan of the whole franchise. HE'S NOT GOING TO LET YOU DOWN."

New TMNT Set Photos Reveal Megan Fox on a Trampoline and Will Arnett's Character!

by SuperHeroHype

May 07, 2013

Production has been underway for the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot for a few weeks and we finally have our first look at some set photos from the film. Shooting took place today at Gramercy Park in Manhattan where Megan Fox was spotted as April O'Neil filming a news segment for "Channel 6" that appears to be about an exercise routine involving trampolines...

Also on the set was actor Will Arnett, whose role in the film has yet to be disclosed but upon further inspection, these set photos reveal he is playing Vernon Fenwick! Fenwick was April's cameraman at Channel 6 that often tried to steal her stories to pass off as his own.

Directed by Jonathan Liebesman, the film features a screenplay by Josh Appelbaum, Andrew Nemec, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway and John Fusco, and is based on the characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. The film stars Megan Fox in the role of April O'Neil, Alan Ritchson as Raphael, Jeremy Howard as Donatello, Pete Ploszek as Leonardo, Noel Fisher as Michelangelo, and Danny Woodburn as Master Splinter.

Click here to see the full gallery!

Megan Fox Gets April O'Neil's Yellow Jacket in New Ninja Turtles Set Photos

by SuperHeroHype

May 08, 2013

We got the first photos yesterday from the set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the main thing fans noticed is that Megan Fox wasn't wearing her trademark yellow. Luckily for all of you, we've got even more photos from the film's shoot today and lo and behold the jacket hath appeared. You can check out all the images in our gallery!

First Look at the Pre-CGI Turtles in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

by SuperHeroHype

May 09, 2013

Warning: Potential spoilers for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

We've previously seen set photos from the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot featuring the first look at Megan Fox as April O'Neil and Will Arnett as Vernon Fenwick, but today we have something quite different, the first photos of the actors that will be playing the turtles themselves!

As you can see in the photos, it appears that three of the turtles, namely Donatello, Leonardo, and Michelangelo have been kidnapped by the Foot Clan. Now, unlike the first three "TMNT" films, these are not practical suits. The production is using motion capture technology much like what was seen in 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes and last year's The Avengers. Check out the full gallery to see even more images of the actors in costume on the set.

Directed by Jonathan Liebesman, the film features a screenplay by Josh Appelbaum, Andrew Nemec, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway and John Fusco, and is based on the characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. The film stars Megan Fox in the role of April O'Neil, Alan Ritchson as Raphael, Jeremy Howard as Donatello, Pete Ploszek as Leonardo, Noel Fisher as Michelangelo, Will Arnett as Vernon Fenwick, and Danny Woodburn as Master Splinter.

William Fichtner Joins Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Iconic Role

by SuperHeroHype

May 09, 2013

Deadline is reporting that actor William Fichtner (The Dark Knight, "Entourage") has joined the cast of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His role hasn't been disclosed but is being described as "iconic stature" within the mythology of the series, leading many to believe he will be playing the villainous Shredder.

More Photos of Megan Fox on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Set

by SuperHeroHype

May 10, 2013

This week has been full of set photos for the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot. We got our first look at Megan Fox and Will Arnett on the set earlier this week, our first look at the Pre-CGI turtles yesterday, and today we have even more photos of Megan Fox on the set. Based on what these new pictures tell us, could April lose her job at Channel 6 news? Perhaps for running a story on giant turtles in the sewer? Time will tell, but check out the full gallery to see them all!