TMNT Goes Nickelodeon

[Senator NinjaShark]

I Already Posted about this in the Movie Thread, but I though this may Deserve its own Topic.

as Multiple sources have Reported The Global rights for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (which we all know and Love) have been picked up by Nickelodeon for $60 Million. Besides a Featured Film, a new all CG Cartoon will be Produced, both planned to be released in 2012 (try to keep the End-of-the-World Jokes Low......for now)

via firstshowing.net

It was announced this morning that Nickelodeon has acquired global rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise from The Mirage Group / 4Kids Entertainment for roughly $60 million. Nickelodeon also announced plans to develop a new CG-animated television series based on the popular superhero franchise, anticipated to premiere in 2012. Additionally, in partnership with Viacom's Paramount Pictures, a release of a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feature film is also planned for 2012. New Line previously released the originally three live-action TMNT films and Warner Brothers released the recent CGI movie from 2007.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a property that maintains a very passionate global fan base, is rich with opportunity for a tentpole movie, and is exactly the right property for us to work together with Nickelodeon," said Adam Goodman, President, Paramount Pictures.

This is great news and I'm glad to see a very strong studio like Paramount behind the upcoming live-action movie. As we already know via previous updates from Comic-Con, the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie is being written by John Fusco (Young Guns, Thunderheart, Hidalgo, The Forbidden Kingdom) and produced by Scott Mednick, Galen Walker, and original TMNT director Steve Barron. It's supposed to be a Batman Begins-like look at the origin of the Turtles. I assume these producers will still maintain creative control over the movie. Not that I don't trust Paramount, I just think it's best to leave it up to those guys!

via superherohype.com

Nickelodeon has acquired global rights to the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" brand from Mirage Studios and will develop a new CG-animated TV series, while Paramount Pictures is developing a new feature film for a 2012 release. The full press release:

Furthering its mission to provide premium content to its audiences, Nickelodeon--part of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom Inc.--has acquired the global rights to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from The Mirage Group and 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. The acquisition provides Nickelodeon, the world's number-one entertainment brand for kids, global intellectual property rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the hit television, film and video game property that has delighted kids around the world for the last 25 years. The aggregate purchase price for the transactions is approximately $60 million.

Nickelodeon also announced plans to develop a new CG-animated television series based on the popular superhero franchise, anticipated to premiere in 2012. Additionally, in partnership with Viacom's Paramount Pictures, a new release of a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feature film is also planned for 2012. Nickelodeon has also acquired all merchandising rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and will continue to work with its original and long-standing toy partner, Playmates Toys, which has been the creative force behind the successful TMNT master toy program over the last two decades.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shares a comedic sensibility with the Nickelodeon DNA, with added layers of action and fantasy that have kept this property an evergreen favorite with multiple generations of audiences," said Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. "We are extremely happy to have the opportunity to be able to focus on this property and creatively re-introduce it to a new generation of kids."

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a property that maintains a very passionate global fan base, is rich with opportunity for a tentpole movie, and is exactly the right property for us to work together with Nickelodeon," said Adam Goodman, President, Paramount Pictures.

"Mirage has been the proud keeper of the Turtles' brand since 1984, and in 2009 we celebrated their 25th anniversary with our legions of fans," said Gary Richardson, CEO, Mirage Studios. "Nickelodeon is a powerhouse global brand, and we are confident that the company will be a wonderful steward for Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Donatello and all the other TMNT characters and take them in all kinds of exciting and new creative directions."

"We enjoyed our eight-year partnership with Mirage during which 4Kids and Mirage re-launched the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise for a new generation of kids around the world," said Alfred Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. "We will also work with Mirage and Viacom so that our Turtles' licensees can be assured of a seamless transition."

Considered one of the most popular kids' television programs of the 1980s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a classic, global property created in 1984 by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It first debuted as a successful comic book series and then became a hit animated TV show, a live-action television series, and later spawned four blockbuster theatrical releases. The property also has translated into a significant consumer products business--with DVDs, video games, toys and more--that has generated billions of dollars at retail.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is based on four mutant turtles--trained in the art of Ninjitsu--who battle evil from the New York sewers. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated television series--jointly produced by 4Kids Entertainment and Mirage Studios--will continue to air on "TheCW4Kids" Saturday morning programming block on The CW network through Aug. 31, 2010.

TMNT co-creator Peter Laird said the followng (and some more) on his Blog

First, why did I sell the TMNT? There are a number of reasons, but first and foremost is that I have been doing this TMNT thing for twenty-five years, sixteen of them in partnership with TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman and the last nine as sole owner of the property. That is a long time. It is almost half my life (I'm 55). I never expected to be working on the same thing for this long. And it has worn me down. I am no longer that guy who carries his sketchbook around with him and draws in it every chance he gets. That guy did all of the pre-TMNT artwork you have been seeing on this blog in many of my "Blast from the Past" posts.

I miss -- I really, really miss -- being that guy.

My fervent hope is that by divesting myself of this wonderful but needful-of-constant-attention property, I might -- I just MIGHT -- get back to being that guy. Or something LIKE that guy.

It will come as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention that my energy level for things TMNT has flagged in these last few years. As one result, the production of TMNT Volume 4 comics has slowed to a crawl. That's not good. I have a conclusion planned out for that series, and at some point I want to get to it. Maybe this sale will help me get to that point. We'll see.

(...)

I've known for a long time that at some point in my life I would sell the TMNT. I just wasn't sure when it would happen. But, as they say, in this case "the stars lined up".

I know that many fans are concerned with how the TMNT will be treated now that they have a new owner. I am also concerned, but I have faith that the new owner will treat the property with due respect and make the most of it. And the simple fact is -- I didn't have it in me any more, and the property DESERVED a new owner. Now it has one, with powerful roots in the entertainment business. I am actually quite excited to see where they take TMNT.

(...)

On a final note (at least for this statement), please understand that I sold the TMNT property, not Mirage Studios. Mirage still exists, and it's still my company. It just doesn't own the TMNT intellectual property anymore. I'm not sure what its future will be. For a little while, it will be helping with the transition of TMNT over to its new owners. But after that...? I don't know. What I am hoping, however, is that this little core group of creators sticks together, both as friends and collaborators. And I think that is certainly possible. -- PL

welp, there you have it. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles now Belong to Nickelodeon. What do you guys think?

Will the new Series that is planned to be just as good, or maybe even Better, as The 2K3/80's/Obscure Anime (whichever you prefer) cartoon show?

or will Nick just "RAEPE OUR CHILDHUUUUD!!"

and will the upcomming Live Action Movie just as good as The first Two Movies?

Lets just Hope that this is the case.

Oh well, I'll just do what I alway's do in such situations. Wait and see how things turn out.

Discuss.

[Cortez]

Everything past the original cartoon RAAAEPPED my childhood. I sincerly doubt this will be any different =/

[GameFarnsworth940]

Well, there goes the current cartoon, and the comic, and any hope of a SNES Turtles in Time remake, and VC ports of the ot*shot*

I hope they don't screw up the franchise.

As I said on the movie thread... Shit.

[Dr. Mechano]

I enjoyed both the campy 80s cartoon and the 2003 series for different reasons. I'm slightly more partial to the 80s series just because I prefer comedic stories, but both are good. And the later series is apparently more accurate to the original comics... which I've never read.

Ah, but yes. Hopefully this will be good too, and try to be its own unique iteration of the Turtles.

[Tornado]

And the later series is apparently more accurate to the original comics... which I've never read.

The 80s cartoon was a pile of irony of Starship Troopers proportions compared to the original comic. I still don't like the 2003 series (or the comic), but that is why people say that.

I like the idea of a new movie, and I hope it is in the style of the first three. The CGI series... not so much. I'd rather it has been animated.

[Frobman]

Well, I'm interested in what they'll do now, whether it's something similar to the original comics and the 4Kids carton or the original cartoon, both I like for many reasons. Though what would Peter Laird be up to, then?

[Dr. Good Girl]

I don't know... I have my doubts with what kind of humor or plot only Nickelodeon can put in... Hopefully it's something like Avatar was.

[Random Rhyme]

I loved the 2003 series. It handled a serious atmosphere pretty well and had me addicted to it for years. When it went to Fast Forward well it wasn't pretty.

I just hope that their TMNT version will be around Ben 10/Avatar quality.

Edited October 23, 2009 by Shade737

[goku262002]

or will Nick just "RAEPE OUR CHILDHUUUUD!!"

^^This. i liked the way it was being run by 4kids (yeah thats right, 4kids didnt screw up TMNT! It was the only thing they got right since pkmn.) now that nick has the reigns its downhill from here. for one thing, now there going to change the VAs thats going to suck big time.

[GameFarnsworth940]

^^This. i liked the way it was being run by 4kids (yeah thats right, 4kids didnt screw up TMNT! It was the only thing they got right since pkmn.) now that nick has the reigns its downhill from here. for one thing, now there going to change the VAs thats going to suck big time.

Agreed. It was one of the very few things that 4Kids got right. I can't even believe this happened though on the 25th anniversary year.

[AdventChild]

I agree that the 4kids TMNT show was well-done and overall good. Hopefully, Nick can still retain the same feel, look, setting, animation, and voices of the show and try not to mess it up, if so then "raped childhood for everyone". Well, I also hope they don't do anything like that Fast Forward crap, the animation and concept was just below par and wasn't as good as the 1st season/series and BttS.

But can't have my hopes up for Nick TMNT since most of what they're showing is garbage as iCarly and other crap like that. Also, Fanboy and Chum Chum:

What the FAIL! Why couldn't it be about this fanboy?

Edited October 28, 2009 by AdventChild

[True Blue]

Let's just wait and see how it goes.

I haven't watched TMNT 2007, but got recently excited about it a few months ago. Then, I watched Nostalgia Critic's review and my expectations dropped a bit, but I still like the CGI.

Let's see what this new acquisition does to our turtles. Will it be different from the good old original cartoon, but still good? Will it try to be just like it, and ruin it? Will it succeed? I'll wait for more information to come, like trailers and such, to form an opinion.

[Thirsty Pocket]

Bleck! CG. Good 2D animation is dead...

I admit, while the original Turtles are okay, and the 2003 series was nice ( Aside from making Shredder an Utrom named Ch'rell, and Fast Forward ) I will never absolutely adore any TMNT continuity more than the 80's cartoon.

The only way Nick can interest me is if they do a slightly more serious take on the 80's TMNT cartoon. Serious doesn't mean Dark and gritty, with a Shredder made of stone. I want to keep the humor, but cut back on the Pizza references, and fix Raph. Maybe less pop culture references and 4th wall breaking. And keep ALL characters. No ditching April's co-workers, Keep Krang, Rocksteady and Bebop, and most the villains.

[Kevin]

This was something that totally came out of left field, and really surprised me as a long time TMNT fan. Though reading Peter Laird's post, I can understand why he sold the franchise since he felt like it was time for him to move on, and looking back at the past few years, it was becoming more of a chore for him. Running it for 25 years (16 years with Kevin Eastman) is very impressive, and I'd like to thank both of them for this franchise and all of their work on it, and wish them both the best with their future endeavors.

As for Nick acquiring TMNT. I'm going to play the wait and see approach with this. Hopefully they'll do a good job with the new series. I will admit, 4kids did a great job with the 2003 series. Fast Forward and Back to the Sewers weren't so great though.

[Teoleulbogo]

The people who will complain about this will be the same as the people who complained about the Marval/Disney thing. They havn't saved or ruined any part so their is no point complaining about it.

Personaly, I think it may work because,like disney,when nick trys they can make something great...They just havn't been trying in a while.

[Random Rhyme]

The people who will complain about this will be the same as the people who complained about the Marval/Disney thing. They havn't saved or ruined any part so their is no point complaining about it.

Its a bit early to tell since they haven't done anything yet. Ownership is one thing but actually doing their own thing with the series is another.

Edited October 27, 2009 by Shade737

[Thirsty Pocket]

I hope this means female characters aside from April are no longer forbidden. Seems Laird gets steamed at any mention of Mona Lisa or Venus... ( Granted the next mutation was pretty bad... )

[Milo]

Huge necrobump of art n' other stuff. TMNT fans You may now shit yourself sideways over this first glimpse of the upcoming show if necessary.

http://www.neogaf.co...ad.php?t=475950

Edited June 1, 2012 by Zinos

[Echidna Adventurer CC14]

I'm surprised that it's taken this long for this stuff to be discussed here and on Neogaf. It's fairly old news, save for the stuff from the recent event. (The art assets and character profiles came from the official Nick TMNT site that was ripped in March and the caps from the actual scene were from Toy Fair back in February.)

So yeah, interested to see where they go with this new interpretation. I'm liking how it's taking elements from every incarnation of TMNT and melding them together to create something completely different. Not entirely sure about some of their decisions (Why rename the Utroms "The Kraang?" Are they a subdivision of the Utrom species? Are they just the renegade ones like Ch'rell? Are they just pandering to the nostalgia junkies? Beats me.), but I'll see how they're pulled off in the show before passing judgement. Also, this show is confirmed to have a cameo from The Flaming Carrot. That automatically makes it worth my time.

Edited June 1, 2012 by chaoscontrol14

[Sami]

... Jesus, what happened to Splinter's face?

[Carbo]

Better than Michael Bay

[Winston]

Why is April...12?

[DarkLight]

Why is April...12?

Because a grown woman hanging around a bunch of teenagers is apparently creepy.

And even though she looks younger, April is supposed to be 16 in this series.

[Winston]

Because a grown woman hanging around a bunch of teenagers is apparently creepy.

And even though she looks younger, April is supposed to be 16 in this series.

It's creepier when they are Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. XP

Isn't April usually in her twenties though?

[Echidna Adventurer CC14]

Yep, she usually is, but they've decided to do something a bit different with her this time around.