Nothing official. While producer Harvey Weinstein said "It's sequel time, dudes" after the film's highly successful opening weekend (source: http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/20070325/117485040000.html), viewership dropped sharply after that and the movie has not been as successful as the studio initially hoped.
Kevin Munroe commented on the Technodrome Forums (http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showpost.php?p=490850&postcount=503):
As for sequel talk, despite the Harvey's enthusiastic quote after opening weekend, there really hasn't been any official talk since. The general feeling is that we need it to roll out worldwide before any big decisions are made. But I know that the games and particularly the toys are selling like gangbusters, so all these things help on top of it. And so even "if" we move forward on a sequel, it'll still be a while before we jump into it. And it'll have to start the same way as before sitting down with Pete and brainstorming and coming up with cool new ideas for the next chapter.
It bears remembering that the Weinsteins are well-known for supporting films that perform modestly at the box office, and usually consider a film a success so long as it makes back its budget, which TMNT has. It also bears noting that bigger studios have released bigger failures (such as Hulk and Superman Returns) but are still planning sequels due to the popularity of the characters.
Steve Murphy has said on the Technodrome Forums (
http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showpost.php?p=513515&postcount=43):
The show's future will be decided following the Licensing Show (in NYC in June). Only then will decisions be made regarding what direction the show would take (assuming, of course, that the show continues).
It is at that point that we will also know whether or not a greenlight is given to a movie sequel. This and the precding point are directly related.
The Licensing Show was June 19 - 21, and there has be no solid announcement as of yet. However, Murphy has recently posted news on his personal blog that seems to point to there being a sequel (
http://the-5th-turtle.blogspot.com/2007/06/movie-sequel-status.html):
As of two weeks ago Imagi Entertainment (the TMNT movie animation studio) informed Mirage Studios that there was a 50-50 chance of a CGI film sequel. Last week they upped the odds to 70-30 in favor of a sequel, as talks between Imagi and their distribution partners Warner Brothers and the Weinstein Group seem to be heading in a positive direction....
Clint at Moviehole.com has commented on the films status (
http://www.moviehole.net/news/20080319_caffeinated_clint_19308.html):
7. TMNT 2 Never say Never, but last I heard, Warner Bros are abandoning their plans to do a sequel to last years Ninja Turtles restart. The plan originally, was to do a further two films the next wouldve seen the heroes in hardshells taking on old foe, Shredder in the series. Some initial work had even begun on the next sequel. After the lacklustre performance of TMNT though, the studio put the sequels on indefinite hold.
Murphy has posted news that Mirage may be looking at other studios for another film (
http://the-5th-turtle.blogspot.com/2008/05/tmnt-movie-2-update.html):
Thursday, May 29, 2008
TMNT movie 2 update
The rumor circulating with regards to the animation studio Imagi and its relationship to the sequel of the TMNT film is, perhaps, true. Below find the official word:
Imagi's unilateral option to produce and distribute a sequel to the 2007 TMNT CG-animated movie expired on April 30, 2008. As a result, while Mirage continues to speak with Imagi, Mirage has begun discussions with several other movie companies regarding the production of a new TMNT film for distribution sometime in the not-too-distant future.
We should have substantial news on this to report by the end of summer. ;)
Peter Laird has talked about how they are exploring different options on how to do the next film such as a live-action film with CGI turtles (
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080610-TMNT25-Laird.html):
NRAMA: On the film development front, how's it going with Imagi and WB on the sequel?
PL: I'm not sure that we will be working with Imagi on the sequel -- I'd like to, but we're looking into other options. I can't really talk about it in detail, but there are several interested parties we're talking to. One of the things which seems to appeal to everyone is this idea of doing what people are calling a "hybrid" movie -- one where most of it will be live-action, but the Turtles would be very realistically rendered CGI characters. I think that could be, if done correctly, incredibly cool. One thing that I would love to see happen is to try to get Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chris Evans (who performed the voices of April O'Neil and Casey Jones in the 2007 computer-animated TMNT movie) to reprise those roles in a sequel... but as live-action versions of April and Casey. I think that would be wicked cool! As far as I know, at this point they have not been asked, and I have no idea if they would be interested in doing it. I can hope, though!
At the Playmates Toys website (the official license holders of the 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' license), it is mentioned of a live-action film (
http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/07/16/new-live-action-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-movie-in-the-works/):
Following the success of the 'TMNT' theatrical release in 2007, Mirage licensing and Imagi studios have begun work on a new live-action TMNT film for 2010. It's the turtles like you've never seen them before! Shellalicious!
Kevin Eastman talked about a live-action "re-invention" of TMNT (
http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=7635):
Kevin Eastman Talks Live-Action TMNT Source:RezBlack September 2, 2008
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" co-creator Kevin Eastman has confirmed the rumors that Imagi and Warner Bros. are in talks to develop a new live-action movie based on the characters. He posted the following at HeavyMetal.com (http://metaltv.rightangleinc.com/mboard/read.php?4,14844):
Yes, it is true. Although the CGI film did well enough to warrent a sequel, there has been much talk between Imagi and Warners to do a better "re-invention" (newest Hollywood buzzword) of the TMNT's, in a live action film--like what was done with Batman. Back to basics, back to the origin and the intro of the Shredder, etc...there have been talks, trips to Northampton to talk to Mr Laird, and discussions with the original "first" TMNT film director Steve Barron to come back and do it right--but no official word yet...will keep you posted. Best, Kevin
The CG-animated movie TMNT, which was released in March of 2007, earned $95 million worldwide compared to its $34 million budget
Murphy has said that rumors are untrue (
http://the-5th-turtle.blogspot.com/2008/09/rumor-fatigue.html):
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Rumor fatigue
This (http://perezhilton.com/2008-09-03-coming-soon-live-action-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles) is complete nonsense and entirely untrue.
Laird Responds To Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie Rumors; Confirms Deal For Live-Action/CGI Hybrid Is Close (
http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/09/09/peter-laird-responds-to-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-movie-rumors-confirms-deal-for-live-actioncgi-hybrid-is-close/)
MTV: Peter, there was a lot of buzz recently when Kevin Eastman posted on his website that there have been trips out to Northampton to talk with you, as well as [original "TMNT" director"] Steve Barron, about a potential live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film. How serious are these talks?
Peter Laird: I have to say that I dont know why Kevin was talking about something with which he has no involvement. The blurb he put on his website was very inaccurate. He has not been involved with any meetings in Northampton, nor any others related to a new TMNT movie, as far as I know. That being said, I can confirm that we have had several meetings with very interested people, and I think we are pretty close to making a deal. As owner of the TMNT property, I want to be the first to announce it at a time of my choosing (hopefully soon).
MTV: Why another live-action TMNT film, and why now?
PL: As it stands now, there is no intention of doing another live-action film like the first three, with actors and stuntmen in actual Turtle suits, contrary to what was said by Kevin. We have pretty much decided that the next TMNT movie should be what weve been calling a hybrid that is to say, live-action humans and sets combined with very realistic CGI Turtles (and possibly some other CGI characters).
Laird was interviewed by ENI and gave some new insights about the next film (
http://enewsi.com/news.php?catid=189&itemid=14031):
ENI: Recently there have been rumors flying around about another TMNT feature film in the works? Is that true? If so will it be CGI or live-action and why the decision to do one or the other?
Peter: Since the 2007 "TMNT" movie, we have been talking about doing a fifth film. We are currently VERY close to signing a deal to do a new film, and if it happens, the current thinking is to have it be a live action/CGI "hybrid", which is to say that the Turtles and Splinter (and possibly some other characters which we've yet to introduce) would be rendered very realistically in CGI, while everything else would be filmed in live action.
ENI: Do you have anyone in mind to direct?
Peter Peter: Not really. Steve Barron's name has come up in our early discussions, and I would be happy to see him do it, but as far as I know, right now no one has been picked.
ENI: Would this be a total re-boot or pick up from either the movies in the 90s or the more recent CGI film?
Peter: We still haven't decided on which way to go. There are pluses and minuses to each approach. Really, we are at the very beginning of talking about the story.
ENI: Is there anyone in particular you are looking at you would like to star in the movie?
Peter: I have said that I think it would be cool to try to get Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chris Evans, who very ably voiced April and Casey, respectively, in the "TMNT" CGI movie, to reprise those roles -- but this time in live action. I think it could be the first time something like that has been done. However, I have no idea if either of them would be interested in doing it, and there are also probably a lot of other actors who could do those parts well. Again, it's very early in the process, and I don't think anyone has been formally approached.
ENI: Will Kevin Eastman have any involvement in the movie?
Peter: No.