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Your essential guide to the new TMNT

THEY'RE A FIRM favourite of many children of the '80s and '90s in either in comic, cartoon or movie form and their appeal continues to endure with recent live action films starring Megan Fox and Will Arnett. However, arguably the biggest news in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe was reserved for 2018's San Diego Comic Con when it was announced the four heroes in a half-shell were returning for a regular series on Nickelodeon. Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (RTMNT) boasts a new voice cast - Omar Miller as Raph, Ben Schwartz as Leo, Josh Brener as Donnie, Brandon Mychal Smith as Mikey, Kat Graham as April O'Neil, and Eric Bauza as Splinter, along with John Cena as villain Baron Draxum - all performing under the expert tutelage of legendary voice director Rob Paulsen.
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles follows the Turtles on all-new adventures as they master new powers, encounter absurd mutants and battle bizarre villains, each with their own motivations. Ranging from mystics and madmen, new creatures and villains emerge to take on Raph, Leo, Donnie and Mikey in battles across New York City. From the tallest skyscraper to the dankest sewer drain, the brothers learn to work together and navigate the perils of The Big Apple and the hidden realms below in order to fulfill their destiny to become a team of heroes.
Debuting on UAE screens next month, we spoke to co-executive producers Andy Suriano and Ant Ward to find out more about the 26-episode series.
What made you decide to reinvent the animated Turtles franchise? How far did the success of the recent films impact your decision? Were you fans of the late-eighties cartoons and what similarities have carried over from those cartoons to RMTNT?
We wanted to create a series that encompasses elements from the previous incarnations that we liked, while bringing new, fresh elements that we've always wanted to play with, and seeing the turtles in new settings we've always wanted to see them in. The Turtles have become more than just films or a television show - they're a cultural phenomenon. There's something about each version that we've liked, and elements of each that have carried over. For example, this show is in a 2D style that harkens back to the '80s version, as well as bringing back a lighter, comedic tone.
What is your most treasured original TMNT memory either from the past animated series or the '90s films? Who was/is your favourite character? Has that favourite character changed after your involvement with RTMNT?
Andy: Going to the comic shop in the '80s with my dad and picking up the original black and white comics is definitely a treasured memory. I always liked Ralph - he always seemed really cool. Now I've found something to love about every one of them, and that's what makes Turtles so great - the accessibility of each character.
The voice cast on your show is amazing. How easy was it to find such a talented line-up? Were you looking for "star power" or did it just turn out that way? Who should we most look-forward to seeing/ hearing?
We've been very fortunate with the amazing talent we've gotten for the show. It was a very arduous and selective process. We were striving for an organic and conversational banter between the characters, so chemistry was very important.
We didn't search for "star power" - we listened to everyone and chose actors who brought the chemistry we were looking for. We originally had two distinctively different potential casts - one that was more expected and another that strayed from the norm. We decided that nothing we're doing with this series is expected, so why not carry that over into the cast selection.
What was it like having Rob Paulsen involved with the project? What did he bring?
Rob brings not only a history with the franchise, but also a mentorship to the cast and anyone that walks into the room, where they immediately feel safe to explore as artists.
What informed the animation's aesthetic in RTMNT? The characters appear to have harder, more 2-D edges to them compared to previous versions. Why was that decision made?
We said we wanted to do 2D - firstly to separate from the previous CG series, and secondly to go back to the comic book roots of TMNT. There are a lot more spotted blacks and comic book influences, notably from French and Belgian comics. Doing 2D allows us to push poses and the shape language allows for an expressiveness that is important to our acting and storytelling.
The Turtles' character profiles appear to remain similar to the ones we remember, though April looks like she has gone through a welcome change. How important was it for you to evolve the show's cultural makeup for a modern audience?
We looked at the world around us and wanted a cast that reflects the diversity of the cultural melting pot that we live in.
What do you believe an international audience will get out of RTMNT?
There's an accessibility to Rise of the TMNT that is fun, kinetic, and funny for all audiences. Animation is a visual medium and we're hoping our stories will transcend any international borders.
david@khaleejtimes.com