Wednesday, April 22, 2009

What it's all about...

So, about that meeting I mentioned a few days ago... here are the "two dudes" Gary and I met with...



That's Scott Mednick on the left and Galen Walker on the right. Galen, you may remember, produced the 2007 "TMNT" movie. Scott is also a movie producer with impressive credentials. Both of them will be -- well, why don't we let the official press release tell the story:

---------------------------------------------------------

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ Come Alive
In Major Motion Picture for 2011

New Theatrical Film to tell Origin Story of the Legendary Characters

Los Angeles, April 23, 2009— The Mirage Group has given the green light for development of a live-action major motion picture focusing on the origins of the iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, targeted for release in 2011.

Announcement of the latest (fifth) big screen version of the crime-fighting “heroes in a half-shell” comes on the day the Turtles kick off their 25th anniversary national “Shell-ebration” in New York City with multiple events that include the honor of lighting the Empire State Building in ‘turtle green’ and a unique outdoor presentation of their beloved first “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” film at the Tribeca Film Festival “Drive-In”.

Mirage is partnering with producers Scott Mednick (“300”, “Superman Returns”, “10,000 BC”, and the upcoming “Where the Wild Things Are”) and Galen Walker (who produced the most recent computer-animated “TMNT” theatrical release) to create this live action film. Peter Laird, Gary Richardson, Frederick Fierst, Eric Crown and Napoleon Smith III will serve as executive producers of the film, which is based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters created by Laird and Kevin Eastman. Mednick and Walker will serve as producers. The project is being funded through Lightbox Productions, LLC.

“It was critical to us to find people who both understood the Turtles franchise and were accomplished film makers who appreciated both the action and humor components of the Turtles’ identity ,” said Gary Richardson CEO, The Mirage Group. “With Galen and Scott we know we’ve found great talent with those essential attributes.”

“The original dozen comics created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman are some of the best source material one could hope for,” said Mednick. “We’re excited to bring this story to a whole new generation of moviegoers as well as the legions of fans that have made the Turtles - Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael as well as Splinter, April O’Neil, Casey Jones and, of course, the great villain Shredder - a part of their world for 25 years.”

Mednick has begun reaching out to writers and directors and is already in discussion with several high-profile actors interested in portraying Turtles characters they loved as kids.

4Kids Entertainment, master licensing agency for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property, will be handling all of the movie merchandise licensing.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles made their public premiere in May 1984 in a comic book published and distributed by Mirage Studios. A hugely successful TV series quickly followed, along with a record-setting licensing program and three successful live-action theatrical films. In 2003, the Turtles were re-introduced to a new generation through a fresh TV series, a computer- animated theatrical movie and new merchandising program. The 25th year of TMNT will provide fans of all ages with the opportunity to experience this evergreen property in a ten-city mobile tour highlighted by the TMNT Party Bus, a rolling museum of TMNT memorabilia.

Additional information is available on the http://www.tmnt25.com and http://www.4kids.tv websites.

About Mirage Studios
Mirage Studios, Inc. is part of The Mirage Group, a group of companies located in Northampton, Massachusetts that owns, manages, nurtures and protects the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property."


--------------------------------------------------------------

Woo hoo! So here we go -- another live action film! As you may recall from some of my previous comments, our initial discussions regarding the next film had to do with what we were calling a "hybrid" -- live action with realistic Turtles rendered in CGI and blended in. This new idea -- which, frankly, I am VERY pumped about -- will have actors and stunt performers in full Turtle suits for filming in live action. As of right now, there is talk of using CGI to do "face replacement" for the suits so that we can get those great, expressive faces possible with CGI.

We are very early in the development process -- no writer or director has been chosen yet. And we've just started talking about the story. But I'm really looking forward to getting into it! -- PL

P.S. Here's a photo of Galen holding an artifact from the first live action movie (the head from the Donatello stunt costume) in my office at Mirage Studios a couple of days ago.

66 comments:

  1. How exciting!!

    The first movie was loosely based around much of the first dozen issues as well, minus the mousers and triceratons, etc.

    Does this mean the new movie will be based on most of the original comics you made with Kevin Eastman, or just the first issue (like the CG straight-to-DVD movie that was discussed), or is it too soon to say?

    Thanks for the good news!

    -Chad

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is awesome news!!
    I hope we get at least a little bit of Baxter Stockman in this movie :)

    I hope things with NECA get figured out next as they would be perfect for making collectables for this new film.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Long time reader, first time poster. (Cipher over at Technodrome Forums)

    This is a fantastic opportunity. Please, please, push for the real Turtles to be shown to the public.

    In other words, and while this may read as sensationalist hyperbole, it is more or less my true opinion: No PG-13, no deal.

    - Ian

    ReplyDelete
  4. That just TOTALLY made my entire week! :D

    ReplyDelete
  5. Exciting! And what an artifact to behold- one of the original movie masks. That's great! Also, Peter- I Emailed the FanMail email about visiting Mirage (I'm about to graduate from UMass), so in case things like that have difficulty finding their target I thought I'd mention it here. Can't wait for the next movie!

    -Alex

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations Peter! Very much looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with.

    -Joel from Canada

    ReplyDelete
  7. This rocks so much!!!! Still some exciting times for the Turtles yet!

    I was a fan of the CGI Turtle movie, but this should bring in a lot more viewers.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful news!
    Sounds like the best of both worlds.
    This is going to make a lot of people happy.
    Thank you!

    ~Donna

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm sorry, but that Donny head just looks creapy held that way :).

    but it does sound pretty cool.

    However, didn't movie 1 technical serve as an origin story? And Movie 4 gave a breif recap of it...

    So how is it going to be done with Movie 5? The only thing I can think of, is that it'll follow issue one and be a total reboot.

    Maybe throwing in Issues 2 and 3 for good measure.

    If you need a documentary worker who can film things in a professional manner and work cheap (Hell, free), let me know...

    ReplyDelete
  10. In the mean time, will talks begin on producing the next TMNT cartoon and straight to DVD projects to promote the upcoming movie?

    Also, please make sure getting an action/fight choreographer is a high priority for this film.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Awesome I have to be a part of this somehow. Peter do you know how is going to be casting the film? I'd be content with just being in the background of some scene. Please let me know!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I hope this does things a bit differently. I mean we've already seen the origin so many times already. Can't wait to see who the cast is.

    ReplyDelete
  13. K. MUNROOOEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!-->> FREEEEEBERRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGG..

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's good news to know that another Ninja Turtles movie is in works but I'm really disappointed that there's no sequel to the CGI TMNT film. I enjoyed it a lot and felt that it's a great film that brings back the green team to the silver screen.
    I'm not sure what direction the new film is taking but I just feel a bit tired of all the unnecessary reboots for comic book based movies.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Pete, I would seriously think about approaching Zack Snyder to direct (300, Watchmen). He has already expressed in a watchmen interview that he is a huge fan of the turtles, and hes done well with comic properties so far.

    Great fit in my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Pete, I would seriously think about approaching Zack Snyder to direct (300, Watchmen). He has already expressed in a watchmen interview that he is a huge fan of the turtles, and hes done well with comic properties so far.

    Great fit in my opinion.
    -->> ..now i do like that point.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Good to hear about the new movie! It will be interesting to see how this one turns out.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Peter - I think this is a really good idea as I've already stated the TMNT cgi from a few years ago was lacking in threatening villians and a gritty reboot is required for TMNT. Can't wait to see The Shredder back in action!

    I wonder how close to the original comics this reboot will be...black and white film anyone heheheh? Just stirring...

    Overall this news has made my day and I will see the film whether great , good or bad.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Peter,

    This is awesome news. I'm so excited about the possibility of a new movie that may actually use puppet suits. I think the Where the Wild Things Are trailer looks awesome, and I hope that style can work for TMNT too.

    And I disagree about a mandatory rating, I don't think it should be too violent and exclude children, there are going to be lots of 20somethings who would love to introduce their kids to the TMNT.

    ReplyDelete
  20. this is AWESOME...I am very excited today, with this news, the Empire State Building and Tribeca stuff - all very energizing. whatever is done, it will be great to see another turtle movie. I do think the Snyder/PG-13 or higher ideas are good ones though;0)..but I know whatever you decide to do will be awesome. WHOO-HOO!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I still liked the Imagi film-- and the animation.

    But CONGRATULATIONS! Good news indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Scott and Galen look like twins. Do they have the same barber?

    ReplyDelete
  23. This is fantastic, very good news thanks Pete. I am hoping for the definitive turtle film. If they can better the first one I will be very happy. Now being a fan of the comics more than the old show as a kid I cant wait to see it hopefully its more in line with the comics. Seeing as there is no show now perhaps it will be. Very good news :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. PETER!!!!!!!!!! the minute i read this, i literally got up from my seat and shook my boss off of his seat and pronounced to everyone a new turtle movie was coming!. i work for a huge audiobook company and everyone knows how much of a fan i am here. i literally told everyone around the office the turtles are coming back.

    i can't even tell you how excited and how surprised i am about this news. it really makes me happy and gave me that funny feeling in my stomach like i use to get when i was a kid watching the turtle movies. i am so stoked about the possibilities of this film and the option a movie franchise that could happen.

    i love the turtles and for years have always admired the work done in the live action movies, i can tell you how happy i am for my four green brothers to come back on the scream after such a long time away.

    as i type this, i am already getting ready to leave and go get my michaelangelo costume ready for the big show out in New York today.. this has been the greatest news i have gotten all year!!!!!!!

    STAY GREEN!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Asombroso!

    Qué felicidad!

    AWESOME!!!

    Please, Peter, we want to see real NINJA turtles, not a bunch of friendly guys eating pizzas!!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Another thing, lets make things right, offer a BETTER publicity for the film this time. I remember people that didn´t know about the TMNT film even when it was on theaters!
    Peter, is this film a continuation of the last one?

    CHEEEEEEEEEERS!

    ReplyDelete
  27. The quote "focusing on the origins" makes me think of the JJ Abrams Star Trek reboot.

    ReplyDelete
  28. The only thing that upsets me is the WAIT.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh man, I am pumped!

    I better step up my community theatre stuff, I need to be ready to audition as an extra for this! :P

    Seriously though, this is totaly hot news! Mind if I make an announcement about it on Secret Identity?

    ReplyDelete
  30. Well two things...first, congratulations Peter!

    Second, to the non-believers that seemed to think the TMNT property was dying a slow death, I'm pretty sure a theatrical release guaruatees that isn't happening!
    :-)

    Oh and another thing, I am SO HAPPY that they are using actual suits and not full CG, it will make the film so much more timeless and organic looking. If you look at any film that incorporates full CG the Star Wars prequels being good examples, it just feels odd even if they get it to look right, this is going to look so much better. I couldn't be more excited about this.

    so you casting for extras yet?

    ReplyDelete
  31. Phenomenal news, I'm very excited about this already. Especially because there seems to be a point to look at the original comics as the source material. Something like a "Batman Begins"-style reboot is a great idea for the franchise, I think.

    I have to ask: What are the odds that the movie will get a higher-than-PG rating? An R-rated TMNT movie might be an unrealistic expectation, but a solid PG-13 would probably be necessary to really stay true to the comics' grittier, more violent roots.

    I recognize that there will likely be the initial feeling (particularly with the execs funding the project) that "TMNT" is a kid's franchise, but considering that all the kids who grew up with the initial Ninja Turtles craze are in their mid-20s now, I think it'd be smart if Hollywood would let the franchise "grow up" with them. (But I realize that there are a lot of people involved in the process, and a certain amount of compromise likely comes with that.)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hurray! Well done everyone at mirage, that is fantastic news! I'm sure it'll be great whoever gets involved, I mean c'mon it's the tmnt and if it brings it to yet another generation then cowabunga! Here's to another 25 years of green. ([:])p
    ^

    ReplyDelete
  33. i can't wait to see the new turtle designs. i hope they keep them looking like teenagers like the TMNT film

    ReplyDelete
  34. This is awesome! I can't wait for it! Also, I can't wait for the free comic book day in Rochester and it's cool to see TMNT 1 props are showing up much more than before.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I must say that I am very excited for the turtles to be retuning to the big screen. This is great news Peter. However I am worried about big list actors voicing the turtles. I love the voice cast for the 4th movie. It was a perfect cast much like all of the turtles movies and cartoon series. It just wouldn't feel right to have A list actors voicing them. I know you guys will do a great job with it, I hope that it sticks as close to the original comics as possible. I know that an R Rated movie is out of the question but a PG-13 would be even better since you can get away with a lot more in the PG-13 movie now a days.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Awesome news Peter. This is what TMNT fans have really been looking to hear. CGI to supplement the animated suits will be the best way to go. Just look at how Del Toro was able to combine the two for his Hellboy films.

    Great news guys.

    Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I'm glad to hear it will be based upon the first TMNT collected book. Those are excellent source material. Although I'm a little concerned that it will be too similar to the original TMNT film.

    Peter you should consider Zak Snyder, should that be an option, because he IS a TMNT fan.

    Finally Peter listen to me here: Make this film PG-13 or DON'T MAKE IT AT ALL! All respectable comic films are PG-13 and this should be no different.

    ReplyDelete
  38. AWESOME!! Amazing news, Peter! WOOHOO!!

    Utroms and Elite please! haha

    -r

    ReplyDelete
  39. Man, couldn't get on until 10:00 to read this announcement, so I am only comment number 44. But still, it was worth the wait (I was expecting this since the foreshadowing post on Tuesday, but the news is equally exciting nonetheless).

    Thanks for sharing the news!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Great news! Is a PG-13 film a possibility this time around?

    Only reason I ask is that Kevin Monroe described difficulties with the PG rating and the Turtles not being able to fight like they did in the first film, which he regretted.

    ReplyDelete
  41. wow just got back from the 25th anniversary screening of the movie. i had probably one of the most amazing times of my life. Ernie Reyes was there and i was so caught off guard. A genuine nice guy and Kevin Eastman was there too...such an unexpected day which i am so proud to have been part of. me and my gf both went and we really enjoyed the movie. i even took, ahem, brought home the giant sewer stickers laced around the streets by the turtle van! haha. such a great time... i liked your video message too Pete. awesome!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Peter,

    Some quick Galabunga Video for you guys...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97svFFG_ek4

    A fun and different experience seeing the movie in the city it takes place in.

    I wonder how far down the blocks they could hear those speakers, and if anyone was wondering what he hell was going on. Got to say hi to the two new movie dudes as well

    ReplyDelete
  43. -->> NEIL , DID YOU SEE ERNIE TOO >!?

    WHO DID YOU SEE >! ?>!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Well!

    I still do think that animation is the best way the Turtles can be expressed on film (of course as an animator I'm biased, hah), but I definitely am curious to see how well live action suits can be handled these days, and how the characters will be designed overall. Especially if face replacement enters the mix and looks good.

    Either way, it's Turtles and based on the comics, which I think are still deserving of a faithful adaption. I am hoping this one will be a little more witty and a little less silly than the original movie (which was still fun in its own right). And if Triceratons were to make an appearance, I think my life would be made.

    Thanks for the great news! Now to start waiting, I guess.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Really great news! Hopefully the Jim Henson crew can return again. The turtles and Splinter looked so much better in the original film compared to 2 & 3.

    ReplyDelete
  46. This is incredible news. I'm excited! I think this is going to be more along the lines of providing what the adult fans are looking for.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Great news.

    I'm also impressed that theres going to be use of physical effects, albeit touched up with CGI

    I think people like Guillermo Del Toro have shown what can be really be done using "men in suits" in this day and age, taking a leaf out of his book could only serve to make a much better experience.

    ..and wouldn't it be cool if Zack Snyder got his hands on Directing it?

    Wishful thinking, sure... But we know he knows the original comics from interviews, we know that he know how to make comic-faithful movies, and to top it all, one of the producers produced one of his previous films.

    No matter who directs it though, im salivating.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Glad to see this getting underway. Regarding the CG, that would be the best recourse, because we all know how expressive the turtles are, and while the animatronics were good back in the day, it was limited. Though when it comes to the big action scenes, full CGI models of the boys will be a must, because as buff as they are, they can move as lithe as Spider-Man when they really start to get into their groove. Can't wait.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I think this is the best news I've heard all year, and it probably won't be topped. I think this movie could be the best opportunity to break the TMNT franchise away from the childish tone it's always been followed with. If it can stay close to the source material [the Mirage comics from olden times], then this movie could easily bring the Turtles back in a major way. People respond well to grittiness. Look at The Dark Knight, Hellboy as well.

    So long as the Turtles are taken a little more serious, this could very well be a blockbuster! Good luck with the making of this movie and I hope its success will match the quality that I know will excel.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Remember me??? The one that has waited for your answer over 700 days.

    Finally, you have given me the final answer.

    Hoooooooooray!!! Yahooooooooo!!! Yeahhhhhhhhhh!!! I am very happy for seeing this news!!! I feel very excited about this movie!!! Thank you for your answer, Peter Laird! Thank you*n! (P.S.: n for "unlimited")

    ReplyDelete
  51. this has made my year! super kick ass! thank YOU Mr. Laird :D

    ReplyDelete
  52. That's great news. I hope it's a huge success!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I'm unhappy.

    Shortly after the first movie came out, I started buying both the Archie comics and the Mirage Studios comics, and I saw right away what a difference there was between the two types of comics, plus the TV series.

    The TV series was full of utterly idiotic premises that totally fouled up the personalities of the characters and made the whole "pizza" thing a joke that irritated me.

    Mirage Stuidos, on the other hand, had things like the powerful images in the "Leech" story, the creation of the characters Radical and Lucindra, the evolution of the family after their defeat by the Shredder, all those things that can't be described properly in a kiddy show.

    And that's exactly what the first three movies were. They lost the hard, gritty edge, the passion, the anger and spirit, of the Mirage Studios comics.

    Yes, I know. The TMNT started out as a joke, a parody of another comic book series. Nobody was expecting them to take off like they did.

    But what happened? The stories got better and better. People *liked* the hard edge and the harsh feelings of the Mirage comics, and meanwhile we were spoon-feeding our kids the silly pizza-enhanced versions on TV.

    By the second live-action movie, reviewers were complaining that the characters had lost all personality variations and were just one-like-the-other. The stories were *dumbed down* for kiddy viewing.

    This CGI version saved the day by being true to the spirit of the original comic book series, while managing to stay "kid friendly" because of the wonders of cartoon technology. A cartoon isn't real life, so throwing people out a window (like the monster did in the beginning) might kill them, but it's the kind of bloodless death that kids can differentiate from reality, while letting the adults see the true spirit of the turtles.

    You stick people in suits, even if they've got CGI faces, and you get an instant, automatic "dumbing down" again. No blood can be spilled, so is Leo going to lose his swords again, like he did in the second movie? Are we going to be treated to another white rapper singing a TMNT song? Heck no - not when Eminen is the only white rapper around these days. Like they're going to risk putting *him* in.

    We're going to end up with the same gooey baby slag that the first three movies vomited up on the screen, and all this after following the awesomeness that was the 2007 CGI movie.

    I am *so* not happy.

    ReplyDelete
  54. This is great! Another Turtles film!?

    I can't wait to see how Shredder will look like!

    My opinions on the past movies:

    Movie 1: Nice action. Great stunts from the foot ninjas. Casey Jones rules. Great fight against Shredder, but I hated how easily he was defeated by Splinter. :P

    Secret of the Ooze: Loved it as a kid. But today... Leo ditches the swords, Raph ditches the sais... They fight with toys and environments... It's as if Batman was played by Jackie Chan. Vanilla Ice was a nice cameo back then. But this movie strayed too far away from what the turtles are. Even farther than the 80's cartoon.

    TMNT III: Some say it was the worst movie. I beg to differ. While the whole time-space-travel was irrelevant, the enemies were generic, etc. There was enough action involving weapons to be satisfied. Perhaps a little more sword-clashing would've been good. But most of all, it lacked a really good villain. And please, even Shogun would've fit perfectly in this film. Michaelangelo even gave a false hint (referring to a TV Series), but it still was the name of a TMNT villain.

    TMNT (2007): Good action, great character development. Awful 3D models for humans. April O Neil looks anorexic. Most human characters are completely disproportional. Sure, it's cartoony, but even 2D cartoons do better than this.
    Plot was... meh... But again, action and CharDev. were outstanding!


    Good luck with the new movie! I'll definitely go watch it! The 80's cartoon got me into TMNT. Even if it was not exactly what you wanted it to be, it still led me to get to know how the original work was.

    ReplyDelete
  55. -->> Damm good insight , Diego !!

    ReplyDelete
  56. THIS IS SO TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I LOVE the Turtles!!!!!! I can NOT believe that this is happening! My brother and I are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Yay!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Cash Making Opportunities - The Beginning The working life is already tough enough, but the worries of being out of work was even tougher. The unsecured working environment have prompted me to search the internet for an alternative source of extra income so that I could learn how to Make Money Work for me and be Financially Independent. I listed down a number of Free Internet Business Opportunity Ideas while researching ways how people earn money online while working-from-home.......

    www.onlineuniversalwork.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Affiliate Marketing is a performance based sales technique used by companies to expand their reach into the internet at low costs. This commission based program allows affiliate marketers to place ads on their websites or other advertising efforts such as email distribution in exchange for payment of a small commission when a sale results.
    www.onlineuniversalwork.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I swear to God, if Micheal Bay butchers this like he did to Transformers, I'm going to lose it.

    I don't care how much money he's brought in for his movies. If he ruins this, there's goign to be legions of unhappy Turtle fans at his front door with torches and pitchforks, ropes and horses, tar and feathers and other unhappy things.

    ReplyDelete
  60. I swear to God, if Micheal Bay butchers this like he did to Transformers, I'm going to lose it.

    I don't care how much money he's brought in for his movies. If he ruins this, there's goign to be legions of unhappy Turtle fans at his front door with torches and pitchforks, ropes and horses, tar and feathers and other unhappy things.

    ReplyDelete
  61. A new fun online bet is available for you to challenge.

    Gclub Is a g club website Online casinos are open to online gambling, betting and thinking. Because of this time, playing online casino games is considered to be a fantasy that many people are unaware of because online gambling games in each form allows players to access and play online gambling games. Model

    Because of the web casino. Our gambling club is focused on providing online gambling services that are so comfortable that it makes gambling websites. Our Online Casino is open 24 hours a day. Players can play all the online gambling games at any time and important. G-Club Website Our online casino also has a very effective team to help you every time a player comes to the service on the site. Our online casino.

    And when you think of online gambling games do not forget about casino sites. Our casino games because of the online casino games on the site Poipet. Our casinos make the player rich within overnight if the player wants to be rich, do not forget to create. The wealth of the bettor's own website. Royal1688

    ReplyDelete