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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Live Action Confirmed
The animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie blew me away. Aside from visually stunning, the franchise grew up (a little) and offered a REAL sequel that actually showed a progression in the storyline. It was amazing.
So what is the logical step to move forward with. Rebooting the live action franchise. Obviously.
Mirage Group, which owns the property, is moving forward with a live-action film focusing on the origins of the iconic crime fighters.The project, targeted for release in 2011, would mark the fifth big screen outing for the sewer-dwelling heroes Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael as well as their master Splinter.
Now while I really like the Ninja Turtles, I really don’t see a market for a live action Turtles movie. There is a nostalgia factor to throw the old movies into the DVD player, but before you start cheering for another live action Turtles movie.
Don’t believe me. Go ahead and pop it in. I know you have a copy. I will wait here.
Done? Good.
Now when they cast Corey Feldman to voice an animatronics man-in-suit acrobat it won’t be as cool as you are thinking.
They might pull some Avatar CG miracle and make some believable kickass live action Turtles. But I am just not buying it yet.
This is great! I still think the first TMNT movie back in the early 90s was the best of them.
If they could recapture the darkness of that film it’ll be great and id imagine now they could make the suits even more realistic considering how much time has passed.
Darkness? Go watch that again Tavil.
That was floss candy cowabunga kiddy flick. No darkness there.
Actually, when it was first released, it was said to have stuck quite close to the comics (which were actually violent and gritty, from what I’ve read). And, especially compared to it’s sequels, the original TMNT was a bit dark.
The first Ninja Turtles movie from 1989 WAS dark and it was also goofy and lighthearted at times because it was a mix of the dark comics and the kiddy tv show.
I love the ninja turtles and I will eat up anything that they came out with, but I honestly don’t need a remake of the 1989 movie.
If they do an origin story they need to explore more what has been done before. I know its the TEENAGE Mutant Ninja turtles, but I’d like to see them training and learning from Splinter right when they are mutated until they are teenagers, otherwise I’ve already seen the origin in the comics, multiple tv shows, and movies.
Seriously, having the lights off doesn’t make the movie “dark”
There was little you could take seriously, but it was a fun kiddy flick with lots of slaptstick and goofy catchphrases.
No
The tmnt movies from the 90s were not dark, how are they dark exactly? lol
Thats ridiculous I saw those movies when I was like 5 years old and I didnt see anything in them that would classify them as dark
DARKNESSS!!!! tru dat, even the ending was the same, except shredder died when he got crushed in the trash truck. I always liked the first movie, and it was a bit dark-dark crystal dark, not dark knight dark or observe and report dark it was dark for a kids movie-it was a little dark you know? but the sequals were horrible, and the cgi one was aight.
the shredder didnt die when he got crushed in that garbage truck, he was back in the sequel
I agree with Rodney, so many people refer to the first movie as dark and gritty as opposed to the last one, when in reality, the first movie is a overall more goofy movie that manage to sneak in a few violent scenes past MPAA.
I hope they at least put out a direct to dvd sequel of the 2007 movie, it wouldn’t be that expensive to do so, and it would help promote the 2011 movie, the type of promotion the last movie didn’t get.
in the comics he died after getting crushed, not in the movie.
In the screenplay, comic book adaption, and as originally filmed, the first film was darker, but it was toned down in the editing room most likely do to the popularity of the kid’s cartoon. If you pay attention to the editing, you can see where they cut around or tried to hide things with sound effect.
There’s a scene in the film where Master Tatsu gets angry and beats up a young foot soldier, who I believed was called Shinshu or something like that. As filmed, the poor sap was killed. But sound effects, like cough sounds and ADR lines, were added to make it seem like he was alive. They toned down the scene.
Also cut from the film was the following:
-The Shredder beating up four teens, one of which played by a young Sam Rockwell, for getting arrested. This occurred during the Shredder’s intro, but before he made his speech. You can tell because in a shot you can see Sam Rockwell farther away, and when the Shredder starts talking, Sam is closer and holding his arm like he is hurt. This scene was in the comic adaption, and stills were part of the trading card collection.
-The opening scene where April was attacked was toned down. In the actual cut, they are after her purse, but in the screenplay and comic book adaption, and probably filmed, it was implied that they were going to rape her.
There was some fighting cut from the film, but judging by the UK cut, it was in the same vein as the violence in the film, which is more comic and light.
Now rumor has it that the Turtles originally cussed and drank beer and that it was lie this when they put it before cameras, but I seriously doubt it. From what I understand that was just in the early planning stages, but that they still had to cut it down from a potential PG-13.
I will agree that for a family/kids movie, the original film is dark. But not that dark. The idea of wayward teens being used to do commit crimes. Splinter being all bruised up and kidnapped. The dark/urban setting. But it’s not as dark as people make it out to be.
I love the original film. For me, it’s the best compromise between the pointlessly overviolent original comics and the ridiculously stupid cartoon.
The new film was fun, but was too short, with video game like action scenes.
I don’t mind the fact that turtles love pizza. Who doesn’t love pizza? I’m not exactly begging for it to be mentioned in every scene, but it never bothered me.
I don’t mind the fact that Mikey has a surfer voice. A lot of people say that all of them have surfer voices, but thats a bit of a misconception. Raphael has a New York accent, Donatello has a geeky voice, and Leonardo has a clear and confident voice. In both the movies and and the cartoon.
The first film wasn’t that DARK, but it WAS really good. imo its a 10/10 movie… some of the scenes worked on a very emotional level, and the fights were actually great. Plus the music. Just about everything about it is perfect.
Bringing back the live action suits is the way to go.
@Iknewthiswouldhappen
In the comics, Shredder didn’t die via Trash compacter. Leo ran Shredder through with his katana sword, pretty much ending the hand-to-hand dance. Leo offered Shredder his sword to commit seppuku which he denied. In a dirty last ditch effort “Chrome Dome” attempted to blow them to smithereens with a thermite grenade, but thanks to Don’s lightning quick reflexes, Shredder is knocked off the roof and falls victim to his own grenade.
That’s how the Shredder “dies” in the comics. I much prefer this ending to the dreaded compacter of doom! ;-)
i dont know about this, i liked the more recent film(TMNT), and think it should have sticked w/ being animated, but ill have to wait and see
HELL.YES.
I LOVED the 90’s TMNT movies!
As long as Corey Haim is along for the ride, so am I
Feldman. Haim was never involved in the Turtles movies.
naw, im not liking this news. i was a huge fan of the old 80s-90s live action turtles, but i thought tmnt captured the turtles perfectly, and going back to live action seems like a step back.
as a late 80s- 90s baby the old ones do have a place in my heart, but rod is right they were kiddy, and corny as hell. but if they can make a movie darker than tmnt in live action, ill be down. but i doubt that. and i miss shredder
A live action TMNT movie is a tremendous idea
If we can go back to the 90s, do it, get a shitload of money, bring it back, and use it
But if they release a live action TMNT movie everyone will say
“Well…every year theres always that ONE movie…ugh…”
I laugh at this.
the first turtles movie was excellent and it was dark (while still having a sense of humor)and pretty close to the comics. the CGI movie from a few years back was way goofier in comparison.
I don’t recall the CGI movie having dancing turtles.
Joey, I don’t know what “comics” you were reading but the 1990 film had NOTHING that was dark.
In the comics, people DIED, there was blood. No one said “cowabunga” or “dude” and they didnt survive on pizza.
It was a lot like the children’s cartoon of the late 80s but NOTHING like the original comics (save having the same premise)
And you think the recent TMNT animated feature was goofier? You really need to go watch that movie again.
@ Rodney
There were some scenes in the first movie that were dark (and a big reason why some people feel the first movie was “dark and gritty”), such as Rapheal being beaten, Tatsu beating a young Foot ninja, and the killing of Master Yoshi and his wife.
But factoring in the tone and dialog, the first movie is sillier the last one.
They had some people getting beat up, and a sad face on a little boy, but there was nothing in that movie that made it dark.
It might have had its more serious moments, but the tone was anything but dark.
the only thing that might have been dark in the movies was the way they lit the set when they shot the movie.
i have no idea wth some people are talking about, in terms of being “dark” the CGI movie was leaps and bounds darker than the live action….which is why imo the CGI movie sucked. BUT! if this new live action movie follows the comics to a T (no pun intended) then it would be great.
The comics are darker then all the movies combined.
Well didn’t Leonardo almost die in the bathtub in the 1990 pic, that’s a bit dark isn’t it?
Allthough that’s pretty much the only dark bit about the movie…
Loved the soundtrack in those old ones too, they should bring some of that to the new one
that was raphiel, it was after he got jumped by the foot ninjas on the rooftop
Yes, he was beaten up and they were worried he would die from it. But that serious plot device doesn’t make the movie “dark”. For the most part of the movie it was cowabunga dude and “watch how my razor sharp katana blades can’t cut anything but pizza!”
Oh … and DUDE!!!
Not dark. At all.
@Persetti
In the comics is was Leo who was nearly beaten to death. In the movie it was Raph.
I can see already, TMNT Begins, then followed by The Dark Turtles.
J/K I’ve loved the Turtles since I was a kid, still do till this day.
I dug the first live action flick, but didn’t care for the sequels. I always wished they were more like the comic, but alas, TMNT was made with kids in mind. I don’t think a reboot for the live action is a bad idea and I’m hoping that this time around it might go more adult, but I am not counting on it.
I think I agree with you Rodney, but not completely. I’m not really sure what you could consider the first TMNT a “dark” movie. I think though, that you at least need to concede that there were some dark and very serious elements to the first film. Raph getting very graphically beaten and almost dying, Tatsu abusing the teenage foot solder, assaulting a captive splinter (with Shredder’s bladed hand) all lend themselves to being a darker movie. Also, the side plot of Shredder manipulating the young people into being criminals, and Danny’s struggle to overcome the brainwashing and get back with his dad, are other serious elements to the movie. Sure, the turtles were goofy as hell, but the movie most certainly wasn’t made just for kids. It was much darker than the cartoon, but not quite as dark as the comics.
Raph wasn’t graphically beaten, he was comically dog-piled. They knocked him down and he get surrounded, next thing you see is Raph falling through the skylight and the Turtles fend of waves of footsoldiers in full on slapstick mode with silly slaps and goofy backspins and pratfalls.
Not really graphic. It turns serious during his recovery but there is a big difference between serious and “dark” There is no dark in this film even though it has its more serious moments.
@Rodney
It’s been a while sine I watched the movie but I’m sure there’s a bit more than a comedic dog pile (lol):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSI1348twZA&feature=PlayList&p=8B23A93933F20F87&index=4
And proving my point. The slapstick combat is dished out then taken. Finally they drag him down some stairs and through a window.
Thats the “darkest” this gets. It wasn’t a “graphic beating” it was the same combat that is dished out the whole movie. The only difference is that he doesn’t get back up.
I never claimed it was graphic. The link wasn’t intended to prove/disapprove how graphic or dark the film was, simply pointing out that Raph wasn’t just comically dog-piled and then thrown through the skylight. He took a little bit of a beating first. What follows his skylight entrance is slapstick and fun, but seeing Raph take a whoopin’ wasn’t. The Foot weren’t “playing” with him like the Turtles do. They weren’t dancing around and cracking jokes. The only thing fun about his beat-down was when they dragged him down the stairs, I was amused by the grunts he made. ;-)
Rodney, of course they’re gonna use CG. they’re not goin back to man in suit. Are you kidding? hahaha. They know they’d be screwed if they did that animatronics BS again.
I think you give the animated one a little too much credit. I liked it a lot, but I wouldn’t exactly call it grown up or a progression of any sorts. Raph is still pissed, Leo is still a douche, and trading in a credible realistic villain for mythical monsters has happened billions of times before when the cartoon was at it’s campiest. The original was certainly darker in comparison, but it doesn’t have all the killing and blood that you seem to believe makes things dark. And ask Raph yourself, I’m pretty sure getting repeatedly kicked in the face and thrown through a skylight isn’t comical. I was just watching the animated one last night, and it is far far far campier than the original. So please stop talking about the TMNT from now on.
I think by dark, people mean certain “tones” of the movie. It had dark premises but i personally wouldnt use the word dark, i think dramatic fits in better. Most scenes with Raph in them were “dark”!! Him being angry at the world all the time, being talked to by Splinter about his anger, being beaten and almost dying. Raph was the dark or dramatic character. Maybe that was the selling point to bring in the older audience. I loved the first movie. It was silly but had its moments that kept you pulled in. As for the CGI one…the graphics were great but that movie fucking sucked. The rivalry between Raph and Leo was the ONLY good thing about the movie. The monsters just ruined it for me. And yes, i know they needed villians but come on…those monsters were dumb!!!
ok really to finish up the “dark” idea… for a kid watching that film, it may seem “dark” becuase if you look at the first compared to the 2nd, the first was “darker” in content than the 2nd but there is no darkness to it as agreed because the comics were the originators and they were “Dark”. I wouldn’t mind frankly, seeing a “teenage” version live action and actually taking that violent side of the comic and bringing it to the screen. I know that you’d lose a huge segment of your target market but I know personally from own love for the TMNT, that the reboot they did sucked, the new movie was good but still didn’t have the flair of the original and I think that with the now grown up market like myself, I’d like to see the TMNT be more teenagers and adults. Bring on the darkside of Shredder and what he does to the kids under his control. It’ll be hard to pull off but I think it’s possible and could be a nice change for this franchise.
I never thought the 91 LA film was dark, or even darkly lit, for that matter. Will the “new” film be more in tone with the original comics/graphic novels which were harder edged? I think that’s the real question to be given here. The answer, of course, is a no.
The Turts have been tainted. Before long they were used to sell plush toys. Nothing wrong with that for some of the youth market at the time, but they were miles away from the roots.
About the surfer Spocoli talk. As it is with most animated shows 90’s on, every “teen” character sounds alike. No exception. High pitched, ‘dude’ speak is the norm. Kewl.
Are you sure you are not thinking of the sequel, which came out in 1991. The first film came out in 1990, was extremely darkly lit, and it was grainy as can be.
Most likely, just as the trend has been, we won’t see an inclusion of classic characters like Bebop and Rocksteady, Krang, Baxter Stockman, etc. Sure, those villains weren’t part of the original comic series, but they are the ones I remember best from my childhood.
Stockman was in the comics. In fact, April was his assistant.
Rodney
I have read every single Mirage TMNT comic and i have seen the first movie and the CGI one countless times and i can safely say that the first movie is a far better adaptation of the original TMNT comics than the 2007 CGI movie.
The first movie followed the storylines from issues #1, parts of 2-3, 10-11, the Leonardo and Raphael one-shots, and bits and pieces from the Return To New York arc (#19-21).
Several scenes such as Casey and Raphael’s first meeting, the Turtles arriving home to find Splinter missing, The Foot Clan destroying April’s apartment, April drawing pictures of all the turtles and reminscing about their experiences on the Northhampton farm, Casey and Don insulting each other alphabetically while working on a car, and countless others are all taken right out of the comics sometimes with even the exact same dialogue. The general aesthetics of the whole movie are probably the most in line with the comics especially the end set-piece which looks exactly like showdown at the end of issue 1.
Yes there are some things taken from the cartoon like April being a news reporter but in the end it actually works better for this story that she is (it was also a nice way to give a little nod to The Dark Knight Returns), the color bandanas (which are also in the 2007 movie), and that’s about it. Yes there are a few Cowabungas and Pizza talk but there was a bit of that in the comics too.
The 2007 movie had the Raph/Leo fight which is sort of similar to a scene in one of the “Return To New York” issues but still very different, and the Karai character is from the “City At War” story but again she is handled pretty different from the comic. I would also argue that those are really the only “great” elements of the movie anyway. most of the rest of it is was pretty silly (especially the new retarted version of Michealangelo they were using).
On the terms of how dark the movie is. I am not saying it is like “Funny Games” or anything but for what it is it works. Like others have said maybe dramatic is a better term. But seriously how many other movies from around that period ended with the heroes throwing the villian into a trash compacter and turning it on.
So it is similar in that it lifted plotlines and some dialogue.
But the FEEL of the movie is far different from the books themselves. The CG film may not have had as much of the plot lines ripped out of the book but at least it was more serious.
They still threw in some cowabungas but they made that more the personality of one turtle instead of cloning the same catchphrases over all of them.
@Joey
I agree with you. I’ve always thought the first movie was a much better adaptation of the comics. They lifted plot and scenes from the comics and fused them with personalities of the cartoon, which was hugely popular at the time (if I remember correctly). A best of both worlds deal. An adaptation that had a little something for both fans of the comic and cartoon.
The CGI film, though enjoyable, didn’t do it for me. The turtles felt more like their comic counterparts, but Casey Jones and April were botched and I didn’t like the 13 beasts plot.
jesus christ, the cg film WAS NOT SERIOUS IN ANY WAY. there was no character development, either. the turtles were just written as more exaggerated versions of themselves - raph just being moody instead of angry, leo being the moralistic douche, donatello being the whiz kid and mikey being a retarded 4 year old. casey jones turned into a huge pussy, and april now can hold off trained ninjas only to cater to the female girl power demographic. no different than that orange bitch in the cgi star wars movie. they traded in legitimate villains for mythical monsters and a villain who wasn’t really a villain after all. and keep in mind that i liked the movie, but it is nowhere near this amazing epic you’re talking about. and they say cowabunga more in the 2007 film than the original.
so i ask, really, have you seen the first movie? because i really cannot wrap my head around these comments you’re making.
plot was bad and the villain was a let down. The film would’ve benefited from having either Karai as the villain or return Shred-head. But that’s just my opinion. The Triceratons would’ve been sweet as well!
I preferred April in the 2007 movie then the previous ones, as opposed to the helpless damsel-in-distress from the cartoons, and yes April actually knows how to defend herself in the comics and actually has a job and is no way like that girl from clone wars. Despite the more outlandish plot (and yes those types of stories appear in the Mirage comics, it’s not all about fighting on rooftops with ninjas), still approached the plot line with a serious tone, unlike the the first movie sillier tone, but more down to Earth plot.
The only downfall of the plot line was that it wasn’t more fully developed.
As to saying “Cowabunga” more in the new movie, I believe that’s correct, the first movie was too busy comically trying to come up with the catchphrase.
Although I liked both movies for different reasons, I wouldn’t classify either movie as “Amazing epics”.
co sign everything kyle just said….
from the full article:
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.
The animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles rocks!
Can’t imagine it in life action though… I hope its not something to screw up again. esp the costumes! I’m thinking lotr orc-standard. but that’s easier since its all messed up and gore.
Loved the turtle movies and can’t wait for this. They should have done it years ago and hope they don’t use too much over the top CGI, the cornieness is what we all love about the movies.
I hate the term dark… so damn overused. The CGI movie was clearly better than the live action crap, so I fart in the general direction of those deciding to make another live action TMNT. Fin.