Paramount Develops Live-Action TMNT Reboot

Paramount Pictures is developing a new live-action reboot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, marking the first such film in a decade, with producer Neal H. Moritz in negotiations to lead the project alongside Toby Ascher of Original Films. The studio aims to blend live-action with computer-generated animation in a family-friendly style similar to the successful Sonic the Hedgehog movies, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The move comes as Paramount seeks to revitalize the property following the mixed results of previous live-action efforts. The last TMNT live-action film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, released in 2016 and produced by Michael Bay, underperformed at the box office with $246 million worldwide against a $135 million budget, leading to the end of that iteration. Earlier, the 2014 reboot earned $485 million globally but drew criticism for its darker tone and visual design. In contrast, the 2023 animated feature Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem succeeded critically and commercially, grossing $181 million on a $70 million budget and capturing a youthful energy through improvised voice performances by...