Long established as indie comic book stalwarts and having spread far beyond the pages to all manner of movies, TV series and associated merchandise, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles –– originally created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird –– are adapted anew every few years.
Looking to stand out from an increasingly crowded field, the new movie, ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ boasts the producing/co-writing power of Seth Rogen (who scripts alongside regular partner Evan Goldberg plus Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit), and an evolved animation style that recalls the likes of ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ and ‘The Mitchells vs. the machines’.
That’s thanks in part to ‘Mitchells’ co-director/writer Jeff Rowe, who directs here and also contributed to the script.
(L to R) April O’Neil, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’
What’s the story of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’?
The Turtles’ origin story is a classic comic book fable –– as babies the turtles are accidentally exposed to radioactive ooze and it mutates them into walking, talking humanoid creatures. Found and tutored by rat Splinter (who was also affected), they’ve been trained in martial arts. But they’re also teenagers who love to skateboard, swap jokes and snack on pizza. Oh, and they’re named after renaissance painters.
The main foursome is leader Leonardo (blue mask, katana swords), gruff loner Raphael (red mask, Sai knives), nerdy tech genius Donatello (purple mask, bo staff) and party dude Michelangelo (orange mask nunchakus).
Of course, you probably already know this, as that origin story has been told almost as many times as Batman’s or Spider-Man’s on screen. Though there are some flashbacks in the teaser, it appears we’re in for a take where they’re established and looking to break out of the sewer.
Here’s the official synopsis:
“After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts. Their new friend April O’Neil helps them take on a mysterious crime syndicate, but they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.”
And the new trailer offers some illumination as to what’s happening –– Ice Cube’s Superfly is the leader of the mutant group, who are looking to remove humanity from the planet.
Ice Cube to play Superfly in ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,’ which will be in theaters on August 4th.
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Who is appearing in the movie?
The cast for this one is impressive, even beyond Cube.
The turtles themselves are voiced by lesser-known talents such as Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu and Brady Noon, the rest of the ensemble are all established.
Martial arts legend Jackie Chan will be rat mentor splinter, while ‘The Bear’ breakout Ayo Edebiri is voicing turtle pal/reporter April O’Neil.
‘Breaking Bad’ veteran Giancarlo Esposito is scientist Baxter Stockman, with Rogen as mutant Bebop and John Cena as fellow henchman Rocksteady.
Others lined up for this one? Try Paul Rudd, Post Malone, Maya Rudolph, Natasia Demetriou, Rose Byrne and Hannibal Buress.
‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ will be in theaters on August 2nd.
(L to R) Donatello, Raphael and Leonardo in Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies in a Point Grey Production ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.’
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