Heroes in a half-shell return!
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back and this time they mean business with a voice cast including John Cena and Ben Schwartz. We find out more ahead of the UAE launch on Nickelodeon
david@khaleejtimes.com
THEY’RE A FIRM favourite of many children of the ‘80s and ‘90s in either in comic, cartoon or movie form and their appeal continues to endure with recent live action films starring Megan Fox and Will Arnett. However, arguably the biggest news in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe was reserved for 2018’s San Diego Comic Con when it was announced the four heroes in a halfshell were returning for a regular series on Nickelodeon. Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (RTMNT) boasts a new voice cast - Omar Miller as Raph, Ben Schwartz as Leo, Josh Brener as Donnie, Brandon Mychal Smith as Mikey, Kat Graham as April O’neil, and Eric Bauza as Splinter, along with John Cena as villain Baron Draxum – all performing under the expert tutelage of legendary voice director Rob Paulsen.
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles follows the Turtles on all-new adventures as they master new powers, encounter absurd mutants and battle bizarre villains, each with their own motivations. Ranging from mystics and madmen, new creatures and villains emerge to take on Raph, Leo, Donnie and Mikey in battles across New York City. From the tallest skyscraper to the dankest sewer drain, the brothers learn to work together and navigate the perils of The Big Apple and the hidden realms below in order to fulfill their destiny to become a team of heroes.
Debuting on UAE screens next month, we spoke to co-executive producers Andy Suriano and Ant Ward to find out more about the 26-episode series.
What made you decide to reinvent the animated Turtles franchise? How far did the success of the recent films impact your decision? Were you fans of the late-eighties cartoons and what similarities have carried over from those cartoons to RMTNT?
We wanted to create a series that encompasses elements from the previous incarnations that we liked, while bringing new, fresh elements that we’ve always wanted to play with, and seeing the turtles in new settings we’ve always wanted to see them in. The Turtles have become more than just films or a television show – they’re a cultural phenomenon. There’s something about each version that we’ve liked, and elements of each that have carried over. For example, this show is in a 2D style that harkens back to the ‘80s version, as well as bringing back a lighter, comedic tone.
What is your most treasured original TMNT memory either from the past animated series or the ‘90s films? Who was/is your favourite character? Has that favourite character changed after your involvement with RTMNT?
Andy: Going to the comic shop in the ‘80s with my dad