Live-Action ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Adaptation of Dark Fan-Favorite Story Still Moving Forward, Sources Say

Paramount Pictures has shared new updates about their movie lineup, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are right in the middle of it. Following the big success of the animated movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, the studio is already moving forward with a sequel. It’s set to hit theaters on September 17, 2027, with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg back as producers. Jeff Rowe, Kyler Spears, and Yashar Kassai are on board to direct.

But the bigger buzz is about another Turtles project in the works, a live-action movie based on one of the darkest and most popular TMNT stories ever told. While Paramount didn’t officially name it, all signs point to it being an adaptation of The Last Ronin.

The Last Ronin is a five-issue comic series published by IDW Publishing between 2020 and 2022. It was written by Kevin Eastman and Tom Waltz from a story by Eastman and Peter Laird, the original TMNT creators. In this story, set in a grim future, only one Turtle has survived. He sets out to avenge his brothers’ deaths by taking down the grandson of their old enemy, the Shredder.

This version exists in its own separate timeline called the “Roninverse” and isn’t tied to the main comic continuity. The idea came from a story outline Eastman and Laird first came up with back in 1987, which was later reworked with Waltz.

The comic became a huge hit, praised for its dark tone, emotional depth, and bold art style. It even inspired follow-up series like The Last Ronin, Lost Years and The Last Ronin II, Re-Evolution in 2023 and 2024. A video game adaptation is also on the way.

Paramount officially announced the live-action film adaptation in April 2024. It’s being produced by Walter Hamada through his 18hz production company, with a script written by Tyler Burton Smith. Hamada, known for his work on horror blockbusters like The Conjuring and It, will help bring the gritty, violent tone of the story to the big screen. The film will be rated R, making it the first live-action TMNT movie aimed at adults.

Rumors from last year suggested James Wan was a strong candidate to direct. Wan is one of the biggest names in horror, having created franchises like Saw, The Conjuring, and Insidious. His knack for atmosphere and tension makes him an interesting choice for the brutal and emotional world of The Last Ronin.

There’s no release date yet, but with the popularity of the comic and the talent attached, this could be one of the most exciting and unique TMNT projects ever made. Fans of the turtles, and darker superhero stories, will be watching closely for updates.

Update published by Deadline.

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