This coming fall, Nickelodeon will start airing the third TMNT animated series, dubbed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Not many details have been released officially regarding the series, so in an effort to inform you, ninja turtles fans, this post contains all the information that was released or leaked, regarding the upcoming show.
Premise:
Nick's Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles will be the a CGI show, meaning the series will be animated with computer graphics rather than traditional hand drawn animation. According to the lucky few who saw some of the unreleased series clip, the animation is very slick and looks very promising.
The show will be unlike any of the two previous TMNT animated series. While it will not be a goofy incarnation like the original 1987 cartoon, it will also not be as dark and gritty as the 2003 incarnation.
When asked about what to expect from this show, IDW head writer for the current Ninja turtles comics, Tom Waltz, had this to say: "
So... finally got a chance this week to read a bunch of the new animated show's scripts. Can't say a whole lot about the specifics (sworn to secrecy on penalty of a slow, torturous death) but will tell you all this much: If this show (and its associated merchandise) doesn't create a whole new wave of TMNT Mania, especially amongst youngsters, I will honestly be shocked. Every script I've read has been enjoyable from start to finish -- action-packed, funny, and dramatic where it needs to be.
It is true to the heart and soul of TMNT animated history, but it's definitely not the 80's toon, nor the 4Kids toon. Nah, it is most definitely its own thing and, man, it's really good!
The Turtles will reign supreme once again -- I'm calling it right now. And I couldn't be prouder to be a part of it, both as a creator AND a fan!"
Staff:
The new show will be produced by Nickelodeon where it will air this coming Fall. Three of the writers of the show are: Russ Carney, Ron Corcillo, and Kenny Byerly. The voice cast of the main characters are as follow:
Leonardo: Jason Biggs (most famous for his lead role in the "American Pie" series as Jim Levestein)
Raphael: Sean Astin (The actor who played Sam in the Lord of the rings trilogy)
Donatello: Rob Paulsen (same actor who provided the voice of Raphael in the original 1987 TMNT cartoon)
Michelangelo: Greg Cipes (Played Beast Boy in the Teen Titans animated series)
April O'Neil: Mae Whitman (Played Anne Veal from "arrested developmental" and Katara in Avatar animated series)
Master Splinter: Hoon Lee
Shredder: Kevin Michael Richardson (Played the voices of: Joker in The Batman animated series, Tombstone in the Spectacular spider-man, Bishop in wolverine and The x-men and many other roles)
Baxter Stockman: Phil Lamar (Played Green Lantern in the Justice League animated series)
Acting as a Voice Director is none other that Andrea Romano, who is very famous for her DC animated related work such as Batman The animated series, super-man animated series, and pretty much, most, if not all, of DC animated movies such as Green lantern first flight, Justice League: Crisis on two earths, Justice League the new frontier etc... where she always acted as voice or acting director.
Working on the animation Department is Alex Deligiannis. Other Staff members include Ciero Nieli, JR Ventimilia, and Joshua Sternin as show producers, as well as Peter DiCicco for an unspecified role.
The Turtles:
- The Turtles in nick's TMNT will come in different sizes, with Donatello being the tallest. Built wise, the turtles will be a bit skinnier than other shows since, according to the show makers, they are teenagers therefore they wshould not have body builders bodies. Interestingly enough, for an unexplained reasons, the Turtles will have three toes, instead of the trademark two toed feet.
- As you can see from the picture above, the Turtles have different shades of green and Donatello seems to be tooth gaped. This is a detail that is being missing in the latest released picture from Nickelodeon, so you do not know if a decision as been made to remove the gap.
- Personality wise, The turtles are pretty much the same as in the comics and 2003 series. Meaning, Leonardo will be the leader, Raphael is the rude, short tempered guy, Donatello is the geek and mahcines expert, and Michelangelo is the comic relief. The producers also reassured that while Mikey is the comic relief he is still strong and kick butt.
- Last but by no means least: The weapons. Leo and Raph have both their classic weapons intact, while Mikey and Don received an upgrade. Michelangelo still has the nunchucks but also has a Kusarigama (seen above). As for Donnie, while he still has hi bo staff, it can be turned into a Naginata, which is bladed, spear like bo staff (seen above)
Splinter:
The turtles rat sensei has received quite a change. First, he is Hamato Yoshi himself and not his mutated pet. He is younger and more agile than ant previous incarnation. It was also stated that this version of Splinter can feel the universe's vibration making him able "to project and sense energy and the intentions of others".
Splinter also had a wife and Daughter prior to be muatated to a rat. His wife was murdered (we assume at the hand of Shredder), while we are not sure if his daughter is alive or not. Rumor has it, that after he lost his family, Splinter started living in the sewers with his four pet Turtles.
The Allies:
April Oneil:
You cannot have a Ninja turtles show without April. In this series, Miss Oneil is neither a reporter in a yellow jumpsuit, nor a lab assistant to Baxter, instead she is a 16 years old teenager who lost her family and feels more comfortable with the turtles than with her high-school friends. According the to the producers, the reason behind April's age change was due to the fact that it felt weird that a grown young woman will hang out with 15-16 years old boys (the turtles).
young April still lives above an antique shop, much like in the Comics and 2k3 animated series version. She is also been "officially" described as "sensitive to the universe vibrations", something that Splinter sees in her and decides to train her to be a Kuno-Ichi (female Ninja), so we can assume that this April O'neil will not be the damsel in distress that she was in the orignal cartoon series.
Casey Jones:
The hot headed vigilante known as Casey Jones will join the series in its second season. Not much is known about him, except that he is an 18 years old boy.
Leather head:
Confirmed via a banner shown by Playmates in last month's Toy fair 2012 (see above), the mutant alligator, known as Leatherhead, will show up in the upcoming series. Whether he will be an ally (like the Mirage comics and in the 2k3 series) or an enemy (like the original cartoon series) will remain to be seen.
Enemies:
Shredder:
The Ninja Turtles arch-nemesis will be the main antagonist of the new series. This version of the shredder looks menacing and vicious and will act as such. He is the leader of the Foot Clan, and considers Splinter his worst enemy as he blames him for the death of his true love. This Shredder has an adoptive daughter, named Miwa, that he loves dearly.
At this point we do not know if Miwa is this show's version of Karai who was Shredder's adoptive daughter in the 2k3 animated series.
In order to enhance his Clan's power and technology, Shredder will later make a deal with a malevolent alien Race known as the Krang.
The Krang:
Not to be confused with Krang from the original series. The Krang in the upcoming show is not one individual but a race of malevolent aliens who have infiltrated earth a long time ago and are studying the humans in hopes of conquering the planet when they are ready, and making it suitable for their species. The krangs are the evil equivalent of the peaceful Utroms from the comics and the 2k3 series.
Much like the Utroms, the Krangs use robot bodies to walk and disguise themselves as humans. They have also the ability and knowledge to mutate animals and human beings with, what is called, a mutation chamber, and will, sooner or later in the series, create mutants to serve them and the Shredder.
The foot Clan:
The ferocious ninja clan oled by shredder plays an important role in the animated series. In the beginning of the series, the clan is made entirely of human ninjas, but later Shredder makes a deal with the Krangs, who agrees to enhance the foot with robotics, creating cyborgs and even full robot foot ninjas.
Fun Note: It seems the foot Clan will have the same Foot-like logo from the original 80's tv series.
Baxter stockman:
The evil scientist and creator of the mousers will show up in the upcoming show. Not much is known about this version of Baxter, except that he is an African american(like the comics and the 2k3 series) and will create the mousers robots to hunt down Splinter and the Turtles. A playmates banner of Stockman (shown above) was displayed during toy fair, showing him wear an advance techno suit.
Metal-Head:
The robot turtle will be introduced during the series. Besides his design (seen below) not much is known about him.
Dogpound, Fish-face, and Snake-weed:
These three new mutants are rumored to be part of Shredder's henchmen. Not much is known about them besides the look we had at their toys from Playmates during the 2012 Toy fair.
The Rat-King:
The Rat king will be featured in the upcoming series! Besides that, nothing is known regarding this enigmatic character.
Source:
TMNT lair