Credit: Paramount PicturesTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is changing course, with Paramount having now revealed major changes to its roadmap for the franchise going forward, along with many new projects.
The Heroes in a Half-Shell have enjoyed ongoing success since they first emerged from the New York City sewers in the Mirage comics in 1984. While nothing will ever outmatch the “Turtle-Mania” craze of the late ’80s to early-to-mid ’90s, the brand has consistently delivered across all media in the decades since, through ongoing comics under IDW Publishing, video games, theatrical releases, live-action TV shows, and new cartoon series.
Mutant Mayhem Is No Longer the New Face of TMNT
TMNT found its way back into the cinematic spotlight with the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem in 2023. Produced by Seth Rogen, the 3D animated reboot grossed $180.5 million worldwide against its $70 million budget and received positive reviews.
For a while, it seemed Mutant Mayhem was the latest face of the franchise, but last year, fans were surprised when the studio announced it had canceled Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the 2D animated companion series to the 2023 box-office hit, after just two seasons on its streaming service.
Good News and Bad News for TMNT Movie Fans
While Mutant Mayhem 2 is still moving forward, with a new release date locked in for September 2027, and with a short set in the same universe having released in theaters just before Christmas, Paramount is wasting no time reshaping the rest of the TMNT franchise.
Following the news that the latest Ninja Turtles cartoon had been canceled, Paramount then announced it had also shelved the highly anticipated big-screen adaptation of The Last Ronin, IDW’s hugely popular comic book that debuted in 2020 and became a bestseller.
Related: Paramount Confirms 3 New TMNT Movies, First One Releases in Theaters This Month
TMNT Is Being Re-Focused Towards Children
At the same time, the studio said it had put the R-rated Last Ronin film on hold for a family-friendly reboot that will mix live-action with CG, with the plan to capture the same box-office and critical success as their recent Sonic the Hedgehog film series.
That project has since been given the release date of November 2028.
Now, Paramount is doubling down on its efforts to refocus TMNT towards children. This isn’t surprising given the franchise’s success with younger audiences since the first cartoon series marked the beginning of the initial Ninja Turtles boom in 1987, but it will undoubtedly disappoint longtime fans who were looking forward to seeing the World’s Most Fearsome Fighting Team finally venture into a territory designed for a mature audience.
Paramount Announces Several New TMNT Ventures
Per Variety, Paramount has announced several other upcoming TMNT projects, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splinter’s Dojo, a middle-grade illustrated novel releasing from Scholastic in September.
And for fans disappointed that The Last Ronin has been canceled, we’re getting a novelization of the bestselling comic, which is also targeted at adult fans. It’s being written by Erik Burnham and will be published by Abrams in June.
There’s also Teeny Mutant Ninja Turtles, described in the article as a “30-episode CG-animated series consisting of four-minute installments that follow the childhood years of Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo.”
That project is set to launch on YouTube later this year.
Outside the world of content, Paramount has also struck a major toy licensing partnership with Mattel, with plans for more Ninja Turtles merchandise following the Playmates lines. The report also mentions “themed pizzerias opening in Santa Monica, Monterrey, Mexico and São Paulo, Brazil later this year.”
Other Upcoming TMNT Projects
In addition to Paramount’s latest announcement, the 1991 sequel Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze is being re-released in theaters nationwide for a one-week, 35th anniversary running March 13–19.
There’s also the upcoming VR game Empire City, a first for the franchise. Watch the trailer:
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is full of action, humor and heart, and showcases relationships that have resonated with generations of fans worldwide,” Paramount president of global products and experiences Josh Silverman said, per Variety.
He added: “Continuing the Turtles’ adventures through products and experiences enables consumers to embark on their own journey. Whether it’s watching a movie, wearing a costume, playing with action figures or reading a book, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has made an impact not only on people’s lives but on pop culture in ways that few franchises can claim. Our new offerings continue the growth of this incredible property and demonstrate new ways for global audiences of all ages to relate to these stories and characters.”
Are you excited about all the upcoming TMNT content? Or are you disappointed that The Last Ronin film has been canceled? Share your thoughts below!