With thefinalization of its merger with Skydance, Paramount is in the middle of mapping out the future of its cinematic slate, and ifDavid Ellison’s comments at today’s presser were any indication, the company is about to go big to re-establish its big-screen dominance. Fortunately, for fans of theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the four brothers are a high priority for the company going forward. PerDeadline’s write-upon the studio’s many plans, the goal is to do more with the franchisethan just the sequelto the hitMutant Mayhem. The live-action movie adaptingTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Roninis now also being prioritized in development, withWalter Hamadapresiding over the project as a producer.
AMutant Mayhem 2was announced back in 2023, not long after the first film scored a cool $180.5 million at the box office against a $70 million budget. Paramount fast-tracked a sequel for August 11, 2025, thanks tothe overwhelmingly positive responsefrom both critics and audiences to the animated adventure, believing the second film would build off that success. As previously reported, bothSeth RogenandEvan Goldbergare back to produce, with directorJeff Rowereturning to helm the project alongsideKyler SpearsandYashar Kassai, who both also worked on the first installment. All four ofMicah Abbey,Shamon Brown Jr.,Nicolas Cantu, andBrady Noonare also expected to return as the Turtles, after last playing them in theTales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesspin-off show, and it’s likelyAyo Edebiriwill return as April O’Neil.
TheLast Roninmovie, meanwhile, wasfirst teased at CinemaCon back in 2024as an R-rated take on the Turtles. Considering the mutant heroes have typically been involved in more family-friendly affairs, it’ll be a first for the franchise in theaters, bringing to life the five-part miniseries written byTom Waltzand TMNT co-creatorKevin Eastman. The comic introduces a dark future where the grandson of the Shredder, Oroku Hiroto, has taken control of New York, and all but one of the Turtles, now introduced as the titular Last Ronin, have been killed, along with their master Splinter. After years of exile,the surviving member returns to avenge his family and bring down Hiroto,with a little help from an older April O’Neil and her daughter. At this time, no one else is attached to the project besides Hamada, who was previouslybrought to Paramount to oversee their horror slate.
What Else Is Paramount Prioritizing Following the Merger?
In general, most of the biggest franchises under the Paramount umbrella are being prioritized for sizable new installments. A newStar Trekmovie helmed byAndor’sToby Haynesis coming, as is anotherTop Guninstallment now thatTom Cruiseis free from theMission:Impossiblefranchise. More newTransformersprojects are also being considered, with three scripts seeking leadership, including one that would bring former franchise directorMichael Bayback into the fold. Along with a newFerris Bueller’sDay Offspin-off, it’s just the tip of the iceberg for what the newly reinforced Skydance-Paramount union has in store for entertainment.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2is set to hit theaters on July 28, 2025. Stay tuned here at Collider for more as the franchise takes its next steps.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
