ARTHUR FONG

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem”

As art director of the upcoming “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” Fong recognizes that he’s inheriting a big responsibility to pay homage to the comic books, and later, cartoons that consumed him as child. “Every time I have to make a decision on design, I have to ask myself who’s in the driver seat — the experienced, technical, artistic Arthur, or 3-year-old Arthur in TMNT pajamas with Leo and Stockman figurines in my hand,” Fong says.

But as he pretends he is 3 years old with the ability to design like the 34-year-old he is, Fong carries with him the pedigree of animated projects including “Sausage Party” and “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” with elements at least as transgressive as “TMNT” creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird’s irreverent source material. “I have a strange taste for what I find amusing, and it’s not always for everyone. But I think what I’m really after is the thrill of a challenge.”

Currently moonlighting on a development project at Sony Pictures Animation, Fong plans to transition onto directing it full time after “Mutant Mayhem.” Meanwhile, it’s his work as production designer on the 2021 Netflix film “Wish Dragon” that both satisfied his creative needs and instilled a greater purpose beyond filmmaking. “As an Asian American, I don’t often see Asian stories or heroes represented in a way that feels honest to me,” Fong says. “I hope to continue to put myself in a position where my work, creative abilities‹ and whatever small power I have is used for something more than me.” — Todd Gilchrist