Jonathan Liebesman in Talks to Direct ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Reboot
Paramount’s long gestating live-action reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is apparently gearing up toward a potential production date as Variety reports that Battle: Los Angeles director Jonathan Liebesman is in discussion to helm the project.
There isn’t too many details about the script, written by Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) but we have word that it will be a grittier, more realistic take than previous adaptations. Additionally, Slashfilm reports that the Foot will be in the film, along with Casey Jones and April O’Neil as the protagonists. The Turtles will most likely be CGI (via performance capture) in a live-action world much like what we saw in Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
For those of you who were born under a rock, the “TMNT” centers on Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo, a squad of anthropomorphic turtles who live in the sewers of New York City. Adept in the art of ninjutsu which was taught to them by their rat sensei Splinter, the TMNT battle criminals and alien invaders while hiding from the rest of society.
While the various movies aren’t anything special from a cinematic standpoint, I will always a little place in my heart for the Ninja Turtles since the 1990 movie was the first film I saw in theater. A reboot isn’t a bad idea given the extremely poor reception for the last live-action installment of the franchise, which had the protagonists time-travel back to ancient Japan.
Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, and Andrew Form are producing through their company Platinum Dunes. Liebesman will next be seen at the helm of Wrath of the Titans.
Are you a fan of TMNT? Leave your thoughts below!
16 Comments
Bay rears his head again.
Question is do we REALLY need a gritty, realistic ‘take’ on some ninja fighting turtles?
Not really ahah but if they are going to remake a TMNT movie, might as well go down that path
Another day, another reboot. I will wait at least till we see a trailer at least before getting excited about it
If “grittier” means “hyper-violent like the b&w comic book”, then I’m all for it– I just don’t know about Liebesman. Maybe Battle: LA wasn’t all his fault, but man he didn’t do much to help that flick out.
Yea Battle LA was just dull but that had to do with the script more than Liebesman… Hopefully, it won’t be the case here.
Bay + Liebesman = Hacktacular. But I love the turtles, used to watched the cartoon every morning before I went to school back in grade school. Yeah I really like the original film from 1990 too, I must’ve watched it several times back in my teens. Even if this new one turns out to be crappy, I’ll still see it. I also really like the animated film came out a few years back.
My memory is a little fuzzy but I think at one point John Woo was put in charge to reboot this series, it would’ve been interesting had he made the film.
John Woo for the turtles would be amazing. It would have a grown up feeling to it.
I would see it no matter what because my pets are turtles
Me too! I used to watch the cartoon all the time as well as a kid. I haven’t seen the 2007 animated version but maybe I will in honor of this
What a great news…I like michael Angelo, he is so cool.
I wonder if they allow Turtle in the cinema? If they allow it, I should ask mommy to take me to the cinema.
Thank you for the info Uncle Castor…I want to share this in our blog too next Saturday
I knew this news would please you Kroten. It’s not everyday that turtles star in movies, sadly
Looking forward to your post on Saturday!
I don’t know why but I can’t muster any interest in this. I was a huge fan of the show and movies as a kid, but I kinda lost interest in TMNT over time. I’ll wait to see a trailer.
Ahaha Dave, I guess that’s what they call growing up
The original 1990 film will have a special place in my heart too. As will the more recent computer animated film – I really enjoyed that one. Not sure about a reboot. I like the idea of making it “gritty” but I’ve grown wary of that word. Inevitable the studios will still want a film that will appeal to the masses, and it really won’t be all that gritty in the end.
Hi, Castor and company:
I liked Liebesman’s debut with ‘The Killing Room’ quite a bit for a small to no budget shocker. Also enjoyed the larger budgeted, having Louisiana stand in for L.A.
in ‘Battle: Los Angeles’.
I really don’t think we need another Ninja Turtle film, but it could go to a worse director.
TMNT FTW!!
What a coincidence! I posted an 80s tribute to kids TV over at my blog yesterday, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was included ! The intro theme song to the cartoon is famously addictive music, as are lots of other 80s tv themes.
I’m with iluvcinema, do we really need a reboot? Sometimes they can go to far in order to make $$$s. Sceptical about Michael Bay’s involvement.
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