Amidst its animated endeavours, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise ventures back into live-action territory with an adaptation of ‘The Last Ronin.’ Based on the five-issue comic series from October 2020 to April 2022, penned by franchise creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, this cinematic endeavor explores a bleak alternate future.
Set in a dark world where attempts at peace with the Foot Clan lead to tragic consequences, ‘The Last Ronin’ follows Michelangelo as the sole survivor of his brothers and mentors. After years of solitude, Mikey emerges to seek vengeance and dismantle the Foot Clan once and for all.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount has officially given the green light to ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin,’ marking the franchise’s first live-action adaptation aiming for an R-rating. Tyler Burton Smith, known for ‘Boy Kills World,’ takes the helm of the script, while Walter Hamada, under his 18hz production banner, assumes production duties following his recent multi-year deal with the studio.”
The Last Ronin: A Pivotal Moment for the TMNT Franchise
In a curious turn of events, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin isn’t just getting the big-screen treatment. Black Forest Studios and THQ Nordic have also announced plans for a third-person action-RPG game based on the comic.
The news of the R-rated live-action movie might raise eyebrows, especially since the franchise is still riding high on the success of 2023’s Mutant Mayhem. With a sequel show and movie already in the pipeline for 2024 and 2026 respectively, the decision to pursue a darker approach for The Last Ronin comes as somewhat unexpected.
Despite its departure from the traditional tone and format of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, The Last Ronin holds significant promise for success. The source material, which swiftly soared to bestseller status for IDW Publishing, garnered acclaim throughout 2023, including a spot in the Top 5 for best-selling comics, particularly with its prequel/sequel ‘Lost Years.’
Critics and readers alike lauded The Last Ronin for its darker twist on the beloved property and its rich character development, making it one of the most well-received story arcs to date.
Furthermore, The Last Ronin marks the first R-rated adaptation of the TMNT comics for the screen, breaking away from previous watered-down incarnations driven by merchandising concerns. Drawing parallels to the success of ‘Logan,’ which similarly diverged from the typical tone of the X-Men franchise, there’s precedent for The Last Ronin’s departure resonating with audiences and achieving both critical and commercial acclaim.
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