'TMNT' - Neither Mutants Nor Teenagers In New Movie

As 'TurtleGate' rages on, the latest round in the talkbacks comes directly from Michael Bay, who now confirms that the title of the new live action / CGI film will be simply Ninja Turtles, adding fuel to the already raging recent fan fire that the iconic superhero team will be neither teenagers nor mutants in the reboot. Bay took to his own website forum, Shoot For The Edit, to not only address, but confirm the until now, rumored title adjustment.

"Paramount marketing changed the name. They made the title simple. The characters you all remember are exactly the same, and yes they still act like teenagers. Everything you remember, why you liked the characters, is in the movie. This script is being developed by two very smart writers, with one of the original creators of Ninja Turtles. They care VERY MUCH about making this film for the fans. Everyone on this team cares about the fans. Just give them a chance. Jonathan the director, is a major fan of the whole franchise. HE'S NOT GOING TO LET YOU DOWN." 

To back track a bit, Bay started the whole online backlash two weeks ago at the Nickelodeon Upfront with an off-handed reveal that the fun loving Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be in fact, of alien origin in the new movie he is producing. Needless to say, purists were not pleased.

“When you see this movie, kids are going to believe, one day, that these turtles actually do exist when we are done with this movie. These turtles are from an alien race and they are going to be tough, edgy, funny and completely lovable.”

Since then there have been daily online updates from various people weighing in with their opinions or for damage control, whether it be actors who have voiced the Turtles in the past, or the original comic book artists who created them in the '80s, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.

The director of Ninja Turtles Jonathan Liebesman (Wrath of the Titans, Battle: Los Angeles) weighed in to Collider regarding what Bay had let slip out.

“Look, it’s so funny—if everyone was such a die-hard fan, they would know that the TCRI canisters where the ooze comes from. That is alien ooze. Now I’m not saying what Michael said is exactly what the movie is, because we’re sitting in a room now figuring everything out. So we don’t know, but we are like Michael said: we’re expanding it, and the expansion will be true to the mythology. I promise you: fans will love it.”

Fans are typically adverse to major changes in canon regarding their beloved characters. Remember the barrage of criticism Bay took for putting flames on Optimus Prime and changing Bumblebee from a Volkswagen Beetle to a Chevy Camaro? That seemed to turn out OK for everyone. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes necessary. And usually out of the hands of fans.

Co-Turtle-Creator Kevin Eastman released this to Comic Book Movie to address the fan concerns:

"Hey Guys, Sorry to have been away for so long--completely swamped with work--but it is some pretty exciting stuff. I had been invited to check out the TMNT film development by my friend Scott Mednick over the years, and a while back had a full look behind the curtain at what writers Appelbaum and Nemec, director Liebesman, and producer Bay are doing--and trust me--it IS AWESOME. I'm officially on board, and will share more as I'm allowed... thanks all!"

As George Lucas has reminded us time and time again following every change he has made to the Star Wars films, the fans do not own the characters. Ultimately it is the creators or the parties with the rights to the property who have last say regarding any changes or updates. Ultimately premature fan outrage does not always, if ever, grant what is wished for.

Ninja Turtles is set for release on December 25, 2013 from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Films.

SOURCES: Shoot For The Edit, Collider, Comic Book Movie