A new live action film is on the way, slated for 2011!
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."
And for those of you still skeptical, Laird himself posted the news on his blog.
This sounds like a reboot for the movie franchise to me, similar to the Batman Begins franchise. If so, I'm hoping that this new movie, and it's possible sequels stick a tiny bit closer to the original comics.
I can live without all the turtles having red bandanas, and I'm not asking for complete doom and gloom everywhere, I just don't want this new series to be... stupid, for lack of better term. XD
*high fives* This is the greatest news ive heard since VOOT 5.66 was getting a re-release. Man...I love this. Glad[and very surprised] they went back to live action, though. As for a reboot of the series...that's a smart move. The originals are wonderful IMHO...even if they are "stupid" *shoots you a dirty look*. I'm so excited about this. TMNT fans of the world unite. In all honesty, I say we need a subforum...just for the turtles. Who's with me?!
Thanks for the news TB.
In all honesty, I say we need a subforum...just for the turtles. Who's with me?!
I'm with ya, man. I'm STILL a MASSIVE Ninja Turtles fan after all these years. TMNT was my first major obsession (even before Sonic). I grew up with the cartoon series that started in the 80s. That's my childhood RIGHT THERE! 
The current TMNT series is awesome too, plus it stays more true to the original Mirage comics. The original Mirage comics were badass. Plus, I don't mind them all having red bandanas since you can tell 'em apart by their weapons anyway. 
As for this live action movie currently in production, I hope it turns out to be a kickass movie and I love how the TMNT franchise is being reborn for a whole new generation! 
Darn, I was kind of hoping it would be a sequel to the 2007 movie. What with Karai's foreshadowing at the end of that movie. 
Live action with no Jim Henson? *runs away screaming*
I will ONLY watch this if Vanilla Ice returns. 
They'll probably get Eminem.
Will the real Raphael please stand up?
Which would be awesome. That's not even a joke.
I'll watch. I still love my turtles, and also still want a sequal to TMNT :o.
still want a sequal to TMNT :o.
Probably ain't gonna happen. It seems like the movie aspect of the franchise is being rebooted, kinda like how that crap Hulk movie from 2003 was completely disregarded with last year's Hulk movie. It wasn't a sequel, it was version two instead. Personally, although I was pleasantly surprised by TMNT, I think I'd prefer another new live action Turtles movie (obviously with actual kickass CGI this time around ).
Oh heck yes! A sequel to TMNT would rock. The ending definitely hinted at one. *shrugs* They'll get around to it in some form or fashion I guess. And Rishi! *high fives* YES MAN! The Turtles were totally my first fandom too! I hate that ive gotten rid of all my turtle toys, etc. =/ Turtles In Time...one of my all time fave games. Michaelangelo one of my all-time favorite fictional characters, and the Turtles...my all time favorite team of "crime fighters". So serious about the subforum though. 
I will miss Jim Henson though. His creatures were great. Man...Rishi...you've got to be my other long lost bro[because DL is too lol], i'm so killer pumped about the rebirth of the turtles. Such an amazing franchise, you know? So clean and clever. Really intriguing story too...like they should be in the history books or something.
P.S. Eminem and V-Ice ftw!
Michaelangelo one of my all-time favorite fictional characters, and the Turtles...my all time favorite team of "crime fighters".
Oh, HELL YEAH DIZZZZZZZZZZZZZAWG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Mikey's my most favourite ninja turtle! Raph is SUPER BADASS as well. The ninja turtles are also my all-time favourite team of 'crime fighters'.
So serious about the subforum though.
Same here, man!
Man...Rishi...you've got to be my other long lost bro[because DL is too lol]
Anything is possible. All is one, y'know? 
Great news! This makes me very very happy. We really needed a new movie. Now I just hope they don't screw up the plot.
Woo hoo! TMNT fans unite!!
And why the hell isn't this stickied yet? And that subforum...yea, I meant business! Me WANT!!
This Subforum does need reality create >o.
Hahaha! *jumping high fives* Cowabunga!
It's humbling to know that no matter what you say or do, you will NEVER be as awesome as the four turtle brothers in this picture:
Ewww....it's good artwork but....they don't look awesome at all, sorry Rish.
Ewww....it's good artwork but....they don't look awesome at all, sorry Rish.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
I'm with Robo. They look...too real? Hahah! Something about them I don't like. But yes great artwork. Just not how I want to see my turtles. Then again...i'm sure it could grow on me[TMNT III did afterall and we know how much of a disaster that movie is]. XD
