Hold on to your shells, TMNT fans! Could the heroes in a half-shell be about to get a major live-action makeover? It looks like Paramount Pictures is seriously considering bringing back the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in a big way, and they’re eyeing a very specific producer to make it happen.
Neal H. Moritz, the powerhouse producer best known for turbocharging the Fast and Furious franchise, is reportedly in talks to spearhead a live-action TMNT reboot for Paramount. Alongside Moritz, Toby Ascher, his colleague at Original Films, is also expected to take on a producing role. Think about it: high-octane action meets pizza-loving turtles. Could this be the recipe for a blockbuster?
This move comes as Paramount, now under Skydance ownership, is taking a long, hard look at its existing properties and figuring out how to maximize their potential. But here’s where it gets interesting… Unlike Transformers or G.I. Joe, Paramount fully owns the TMNT brand, having acquired it from co-creator Peter Laird back in 2009. This gives them complete creative control and a strong incentive to unlock the franchise’s full potential. They see a golden opportunity to revitalize these characters for a new generation.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen the Turtles in live-action (or a live-action/CG hybrid) form. The last attempt, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, didn’t exactly set the box office on fire back in the mid-2010s, effectively halting the live-action film series. Paramount then shifted gears and delivered the critically acclaimed animated movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem in 2023, proving that the Turtles still had plenty of kick left in them – just in a different format.
New Paramount leadership has already been making waves with the TMNT franchise, even within their TV media division. Recently, they abruptly canceled Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a spin-off series from Mutant Mayhem, midway through production! The reason given to the show’s crew? “This is not the vision the owners want.” Showrunner Christopher Yost sadly confirmed the cancellation on Threads, noting that the upcoming episodes would be the last, but assured fans they would be the best the show had to offer.
And this is the part most people miss… Another TMNT project, The Last Ronin, a live-action/CG animation hybrid envisioned as a darker, R-rated take on the Turtles, has also been shelved, according to sources. Ilya Naishuller, the director of Nobody, was in talks to helm the project. However, the new Paramount regime reportedly wasn’t keen on releasing a bloody, adult-oriented Turtles movie as their first non-animated venture in a decade. One insider suggests the studio might revisit the concept sometime down the road. Could we see a dark, gritty TMNT in the future after all?
However, there’s good news! The sequel to Mutant Mayhem, which is being produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and directed by Jeff Rowe, is still slated for release on September 17, 2027. So, we’ll definitely be seeing more Turtle action, even if the live-action future is still a bit murky.
Multiple sources are saying that Paramount wants to “Sonic-fy” the TMNT franchise. What does this mean? Well, Sonic the Hedgehog is a hugely successful three-movie (and counting!) franchise for Paramount based on the popular Sega video game. These movies are live-action/hybrid productions that appeal to a wide audience, and they’ve generated over $1 billion for the studio. And guess who produces them? You guessed it: Neal H. Moritz.
“If you want Sonic, you go to the guy who did Sonic,” one industry insider stated. So, it seems Paramount is hoping Moritz can replicate his Sonic success with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, creating a family-friendly action franchise that appeals to all ages.
But here’s where it gets controversial… Some fans might argue that trying to “Sonic-fy” the Turtles would strip away the unique edge and darker elements that have always been a part of the franchise’s appeal. Is this the right direction for the TMNT? Should they aim for broad appeal, or stay true to their roots? What do you think? Sound off in the comments below!