Just a few months ago we had heard about the future plans for the TMNT franchise. The plan at the time was to go back to their roots, retelling the turtles' origin in a darker, more adult tone that bore a closer resemblance to the oversized graphic novels of the 80s. Being a huge fan of the Ninja Turtles, this obviously had me quite excited in a non-sexual way. Well now we get news that could be both a blessing and a curse.
Nickelodeon, in a deal reportedly worth $60M, has bought the global rights to all things TMNT. They will take begin production of a new CGI series slated to launch in 2012. But the most important thing to me is that their sister company Paramount will now go forward with the proposed film slated to land in theatres in that same year. Hip hip hooray! Or should I say Cowabunga!? Scott Mednick is still slated to produce.
My only concern, and it's a rapidly fading one, is that Nickelodeon will somehow kiddie up the film. I'm digging the propsal put forth by Mednick and don't want to see it crapped up because somebody thinks Raphael's sais oughta be rubber tipped or something. But I have faith in Paramount/Viacom to produce the type of Turtles film die hard fans like myself have been craving. 2012 is starting to look brighter already.....dude.
Variety has more on the story here.
