Showing posts with label Mirage Studios. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mirage Studios. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

TV News: 4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT AND MIRAGE STUDIOS’ “TURTLES FOREVER,” ALL-FAMILY SPECIAL EVENT INCORPORATING TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES® STYLES THAT S



4Kids Entertainment (NYSE:KDE) will be introducing the eagerly anticipated 90-minute all-family special event that captures the unique historical look, irreverence and panache of Mirage Studio’s popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®, when “Turtles Forever” makes its debut at next month’s MIPCOM 2009 market in Cannes, France.


This remarkable animated special incorporates the three distinctive versions of the Turtles as they appeared in their original iterations: 1984 black and white comic book; late 1980’s/early 1990’s animated TV series; and their current animated series.

Working closely with Mirage Studios on capturing this distinctive multi-world interaction was writer/supervising producer/director Lloyd Goldfine, who’s worked closely with Turtles’ co-creator Peter Laird since 2003 when 4Kids Entertainment re-launched the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the first of seven seasons of animated TMNT television adventures.

“This is one of the most ambitious and creative presentations of the Turtles ever,” said Brian Lacey, Executive Vice President, 4Kids Entertainment, who will be leading the sales effort for the film at MIPCOM. “It’s an all-family viewing event thanks to the enormous popularity the Turtles have earned over their first 25 years. This property truly bridges two generations, appealing to the original Turtles fan base who’ve become the young parents of today, and to their children.”

The plot. When the gigantic and terrifying Technodrome (a giant mobile battle station from the original TMNT animated series) suddenly appears in the present-day Turtles world, carrying with it the original series Ninja Turtles, present-day Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo find themselves with a huge mystery to solve and four crazy Turtles to babysit… a serious case of culture shell-shock. But the two Turtle crews soon realize that this inter-dimensional incursion has caused more than just a surprise visit, as the accident that brought the ‘80’s Turtles to the present has also unleashed the ’80’s villains Shredder and Krang into their world. These two bumbling troublemakers end up freeing the much meaner and nastier contemporary version of the Shredder from his asteroid prison. And once this Shredder learns of the dimension-spanning powers of the Technodrome, he sets out to destroy all the versions of the Ninja Turtles throughout the multiverse. Can the Turtles of the past and the Turtles of the present stop annoying each other long enough to stop all of time and space from unraveling? It’s a ninja tag-team extraordinaire across multiple dimensions, full of twists, turns, and more Ninja Turtles than you’ve ever seen anywhere before.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles made their public premiere in May 1984 in a comic book published and distributed by Mirage Studios. A hugely successful TV series quickly followed in 1987, along with a record setting licensing program and three successful theatrical films. In 2003, the Turtles were re-introduced to a new generation through a fresh, new animated TV series, a computer- animated theatrical movie and new merchandising program. This 25th “Shell-ebration” year of TMNT has been providing fun and interactive new opportunities to the original fan base and the next generation of admirers of this evergreen property.
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Movie News: John Fusco to Write Screenplay for “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” Motion Picture




Veteran Hollywood Scribe to Write Screenplay for Film Scheduled for 2011 Release


TMNT Productions, in association with Mirage Studios, has signed veteran screenwriter John Fusco to create the script for the upcoming live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theatrical film targeted for release in 2011. Fusco joins the creative team with producers Scott Mednick (“300,” “Superman Returns”) and Galen Walker (“TMNT”) to re-tell the origin story of the legendary foursome co-created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird.

Fusco brings a unique perspective to the classic property, with credits ranging from the original “Young Guns” and its sequel, to "Hidalgo" and last year's "The Forbidden Kingdom" starring Jet Li and Jackie Chan. He also recently completed the script for a contemporary version of the classic "Seven Samurai" for The Weinstein Company.

In addition to his film industry credits, Fusco brings years of martial arts training and inspiration to the new screenplay. His interest in Korean martial arts began at age 12, and his passion continues today through ongoing study of Shaolin Kung Fu as well as the history and culture behind these ancient practices.

"It is always exciting when you can come aboard a project that bridges the worlds of what you do with what you love,” said Fusco. “I have always been a fan of the Turtles and the world of martial arts is my lifelong passion. I look forward to this great opportunity."

“John brings to our team the perfect blend of talent, expertise and enthusiasm for the property and the genre,” said Mednick. "We are committed to bringing to the screen a vital, vibrant and contemporary effort that is the next chapter in this venerable franchise."

“Working with the original comics created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman will allow both the new and first generations of fans to experience the Turtles in a whole new light,” said Walker. “Tapping into the rich of history of these heroic and loved brethren should prove to be a phenomenal collaborative adventure for us all.”

“From the first stages of planning this movie, we were committed to finding a group of the most passionate, creative and experienced individuals who appreciated the history and myth of the TMNT, to craft a new vision of the Turtles for Mirage to share with current fans and to captivate a whole new generation,” said Gary Richardson CEO, Mirage Studios.

Announcement of Fusco’s role comes as the Turtles’ 25th Anniversary “Shell-ebration” culminates its cross-country tour at San Diego Comic-Con where Fusco, Mednick and Walker will join Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman and Steve Barron (director of the original 1990's film) and others on a panel to discuss the project and the history of the property on Friday, July 24.

Peter Laird, Gary Richardson, Frederick Fierst, Eric Crown and Napoleon Smith III will serve as executive producers of the film. The project is being funded through Lightbox Productions, LLC.

4Kids Entertainment, master licensing agency for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property, will handle all licensing activity on TMNT movie-related merchandise.

Additional information is available on the www.tmnt25.com and www.4kids.tv Websites.
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