Paramount Pictures is moving forward with a new live-action adaptation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, produced by Neal H. Moritz of Sonic the Hedgehog fame. The studio aims for a family-friendly tone, putting the previously announced R-rated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin project on hold. This development follows the success of the 2023 animated film Mutant Mayhem.
Project Background
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, created in 1984 by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, has generated over $1.35 billion at the global box office across comics, animated series, video games, toys, and seven feature films. The last live-action entry, 2016's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, underperformed with $245 million worldwide against a $135 million budget, leading Paramount to pivot to animation with 2023's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. That film, written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, earned $181 million on a $70 million budget and spawned a sequel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2, set for release on September 17, 2027.
New Live-Action Direction
Under the influence of Skydance's takeover of Paramount, the studio is rebooting the Turtles in live-action with a focus on a four-quadrant, family-friendly approach similar to the Sonic the Hedgehog films. Producer Neal H. Moritz, known for Sonic's billion-dollar success, Fast & Furious, and other hits like 21 Jump Street and Goosebumps, is spearheading the project. No director, writer, or release details have been confirmed yet, but sources indicate it will differentiate from past live-action versions and complement the animated slate.
Status of The Last Ronin
Announced in 2024, the R-rated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin adaptation—based on the intense graphic novel series—was being developed by former Warner Bros. chief Walter Hamada, with a script by Tyler Burton Smith and Ilya Naishuller in talks to direct. Paramount has shelved it indefinitely to prioritize the kid-friendly reboot, though it remains in development for potential future revival. This shift aligns with the studio's goal to broaden the franchise's appeal following Mutant Mayhem's modest success.
