Credit: Inside the MagicParamount is wasting no time in pushing the TMNT brand into even more corners of the entertainment industry. And now, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles could be on the verge of their first-ever major theme park attraction.
While the TMNT franchise has long dominated everything from toy shelves to video game consoles to television sets and theater screens, it has yet to gain a meaningful foothold in the theme park industry. Previously, guests at Disney World’s then-Disney-MGM Studios enjoyed five years of a Ninja Turtles meet-and-greet street entertainment experience (on the then-known New York Street) between 1990 and 1995, the height of “Turtle-mania.”
New TMNT-Themed Pizzeria and a Live Stage Show
Now, as part of a major initiative to roll out even more Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles content and experiences, which will include a YouTube miniseries, an untitled film reboot, and new books and novels, Paramount has already launched the franchise’s first-ever themed pizzeria in Los Angeles, which opened on Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade in June, with two more set to open in Monterrey, Mexico and São Paulo later this year.
Now, Paramount has officially announced that the heroes in a half-shell will be taking the stage next year in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Live on Stage!, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original 1987 cartoon series, which helped launch the so-called Turtle-mania.
Related: R-Rated TMNT Project No Longer Canceled, First Official Trailer for New Project Revealed
“The new production will follow Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo from their comic book origins to becoming global pop culture icons, battling familiar villains along the way,” Variety reports, adding that “the production will blend martial arts choreography, parkour, hip-hop dance battles, projection technology and humor to reimagine the franchise as a fast-paced spectacle for all ages.”
“We’re thrilled to reimagine TMNT for the stage through a one-of-a-kind live experience that brings together an exceptional team of creative talent,” said Josh Silverman, President of Global Products & Experiences for Paramount. “The caliber of award-winning artists behind this production speaks to the enduring power of the franchise and its impact across generations. Together, we’re bringing the Turtles to an exciting new storytelling platform while staying true to the energy, humor, and heart fans have loved for more than four decades.”
Could TMNT Find Its Way Into Universal Studios Parks?
Although Paramount hasn’t confirmed the visual inspiration behind the production, the focus on the 1987 cartoon’s anniversary (as well as the fact that the pizzerias are directly inspired by it) strongly suggests it will lean heavily on that beloved incarnation.
With Paramount dropping all these major TMNT announcements lately, it would hardly be surprising if a theme park attraction eventually followed, perhaps at Universal Studios.
Of course, there’s currently no indication that Universal and Paramount are discussing such plans, but with the upcoming Universal United Kingdom Resort, which is set to open to the public in Bedfordshire, UK, in 2031, yet to announce any lands or attractions, could there be room for a long-awaited Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles attraction?
If it does happen — and we’ll be keeping our shells crossed — there’s every chance it too could be designed around the enormously popular 1987 Saturday morning cartoon show.
Although any official details about what franchises Universal United Kingdom Resort will feature remain under wraps, persistent online rumors hint at potential attractions and/or lands based around Jurassic World, The Lord of the Rings, Back to the Future, and James Bond.
For more about the new TMNT pizzeria in LA, there’s a dedicated interactive website. And for more news on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Live on Stage!, visit TMNTLiveOnStage.com.
Would you like to see the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles show up at Universal United Kingdom Resort? Share your ideas with us in the comments down below!
