In the wake of the triumphant animated film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” Paramount Pictures is set to continue the legacy of the beloved franchise with a new live-action project. However, this upcoming adaptation promises to venture into uncharted territory, delving into the gritty and mature realm of an R-rated story.
The studio is currently developing “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin,” a live-action feature based on the popular IDW comic book storyline. Tyler Burton Smith, known for his work on the upcoming R-rated action movie “Boy Kills World” and the 2019 “Child’s Play” reboot, has been tasked with penning the script for this high-stakes tale.
Producing the film is Walter Hamada, the former head of DC Films, through his 18hz production company. Hamada, who has a proven track record in the horror genre with his involvement in “The Conjuring” and “It” franchises, aims to bring his expertise to this dark and thrilling iteration of the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
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“The Last Ronin” comic series, set in a dystopian future New York City, tells a harrowing story of loss and revenge. The Turtles and their master, Splinter, fall victim to the villainous Shredder’s grandson and his army of synthetic ninjas, leaving only one survivor.
The lone Turtle, armed with the weapons of his fallen brothers, embarks on a bloody quest for vengeance. The comic’s narrative keeps readers guessing as to which Turtle survives the onslaught, adding an element of mystery to the already gripping plot.
Co-created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, with a story by Eastman and Tom Waltz, “The Last Ronin” comic series was a massive success upon its release between 2020 and 2022. The collected trade paperback became the second-highest-selling graphic novel of 2023, a testament to its popularity among fans.
IDW, the publisher behind the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” comics, recently launched a sequel series titled “TMNT: The Last Ronin II — Re-Evolution,” which has already garnered significant attention, with the debut issue being touted as one of the biggest comics of the year.
The “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” franchise has a rich history, originating as a black-and-white indie comic in 1984 before exploding into a cultural phenomenon through toys, animated series, and live-action movies.
Paramount, which acquired the rights to the property in 2009, has seen success with the Michael Bay-produced live-action films starring Megan Fox and Will Arnett, as well as the recent animated clustercake “Mutant Mayhem,” produced by Seth Rogen’s languorous Point Grey.
As the franchise celebrates its 40th anniversary, fans eagerly await the release of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin,” which promises to deliver an intense take on the beloved characters.
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They’re all milking this thing the comic isn’t even that good, it has an awful ending, and Laird didn’t work on it.