• News
  • Features
  • Video Games
    • Previews
    • PC
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X/S
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Xbox One
    • PS4
    • Android
    • iOS
    • Tabletop
  • Film
  • TV
  • Anime
  • Comics
    • BOOM! Studios
    • Dark Horse Comics
    • DC Comics
    • IDW Publishing
    • Image Comics
    • Indie Comics
    • Marvel Comics
    • Oni-Lion Forge
    • Valiant Comics
    • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Interviews
    • BWT Recommends
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube Discord
Trending:
  • Features
    ezra bridger - But Why Tho

    Everything to Know About Ezra Bridger

    09/27/2023
    Castlevania Nocturne - But Why Tho (3)

    ‘Castelvania: Nocturne’ Premiere Promises Action And Emotion

    09/27/2023
    Logitech G Creator Series - But Why Tho (3)

    Logitech G Creator Series Puts Creators First

    09/21/2023
    Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth - But Why Tho

    Everything We Know About ‘Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth’

    09/20/2023

    Everything To Know About Kenjaku

    09/15/2023
  • Netflix
  • Jujutsu Kaisen
  • Star Wars
  • Fantastic Fest
But Why Tho?
Home » Events » Comic-Con@Home 2020: First Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Film 30th Anniversary
TMNT

Comic-Con@Home 2020: First Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Film 30th Anniversary

Collier "CJ" JenningsBy Collier "CJ" Jennings07/27/20204 Mins Read
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been in a wide variety of adaptations, from video games to cartoons to TV shows.  One of the most popular adaptations is the first live-action TMNT film which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Today Comic-Con@Home held a panel to discuss the history of the film. The panel’s guest included TMNT producer Kim Dawson and screenwriter Bobby Herbeck. The Old Turtle Den’s Chris Castenada served as a moderator.

Dawson recalled how he became involved with the project. He had previously served as a producer for several Showtime television shows. Gary Propper, one of Dawson’s fellow producer, discovered the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman; Propper was insistent that the comic could be the next big film. Dawson remembered asking Propper “What are you smoking?” However, Dawson read the comic and warmed up to the idea.

Dawson then met with Mark Freeman, who had signed a merchandising deal with Laird and Eastman. After “protracted negotiation” a deal was signed for the film rights. Dawson had learned of Herbeck’s comedy writing and decided he would be a perfect fit for the film. “This is a timing story,” Herbeck said. “Kim’s timing, Gary’s timing, everyone’s timing was perfect.” Herbeck was writing a script for the Golden Harvest production company; Golden Harvest worked on several Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan films.

Dawson then began pitching TMNT to studios. His first call was to Peter Chernin, who told him “Are you guys out of your minds?” Tom Gray, the then-head of Golden Harvest production, had a similar reaction. At the time, Howard the Duck had come out to a critical drubbing. Nobody in Hollywood wanted to make a comic book film, a prospect that seems unimaginable at this point.

Herbeck said that what tipped the scales in TMNT‘s favor was the 1987 animated series, which younger viewers were engaged in viewing. Gray, who had two children, was convinced to finally support the film. However, there was a matter of budget. Golden Harvest was looking to cut costs, so the Turtles were portrayed by stuntmen.

Another selling point was the 1988 New York Toy Fair, which showcased the Turtle costumes and action figures. “It created a huge storm of publicity,” Dawson said. Herbeck and Dawson finally met Laird and Eastman who told them “Go for it.” Laird and Eastman had multiple meetings over Herbeck’s treatment for the film; ultimately they settled on an acceptable story.

TMNT was directed by Steve Barron, who also helmed Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” video and The Dark Crystal. In the summer of 1988, a deal was closed and Herbeck went to England with Barron to work on the film.

Dawson was still looking for a studio to distribute the film. He even reached out to 20th Century Fox, but that fell through when the studio switched heads. He also recalls future Quibi head Jeffery Katzenberg saying “It’ll never work” when seeing the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles poster. Ultimately New Line Cinema would act as the U.S. distributor.

Castenada recalled his first memory of watching the film when he was young. “I was about three years old when it came out,” he said. “Summers and vacations with cousins and friends years after…that movie went in the VHS players, parents ordered pizza, it was just non stop memories.”

The movie was a smashing success when it premiered, scoring a $25 million opening weekend. “None of us thought that thirty years later that we would be celebrating, let alone still be here to talk about it thirty years later!” Herbeck exclaimed. “This thing is still as strong as ever…it’s just gone to the next generation. Thank God. It’s a blessing.”

“Things like this happen for a reason. For me, it’s back to when Gary got that comic because without that we wouldn’t have even known about it.” Dawson added. “It’s like Bobby said, it’s all an issue of timing. Everything fell in place just the right way.”

The panel then concluded with a round of fan questions. Dawson and Herbeck discussed their favorite scene in the movie, their favorite Turtle, and addressed the idea of a reboot of the original film.

You can watch the full panel here.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Shadow Service,’ Issue #1
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Destroy All Humans!’ Will Please Returning Fans (PS4)
Collier "CJ" Jennings
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)

Born and raised in Texas, Collier “CJ” Jennings was introduced to geekdom at an early age by his father, who showed him Ultraman and Star Trek: The Next Generation. On his thirteenth birthday, he received a copy of Giant Size X-Men #1 and dove head first into the realm of pop culture, never looking back. His hobbies include: writing screenplays and essays, watching movies and television, card games/RPG’s, and cooking. He currently resides in Seattle.

Related Posts

Fantastic Fest 2023 - But Why Tho

FANTASTIC FEST: Fantastic Fest Goes Old School

09/23/2023
Keto Shimizu - But Why Tho

SDCC 2023: Keto Shimizu of “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow”

07/31/2023
Bugs Bunny - But Why Tho

SDCC 2023: Interview with Jeff Bergman, AKA Bugs Bunny Himself

07/31/2023
TRENDING POSTS
Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Episode 4 - But Why Tho (1) Anime

REVIEW: ‘Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation’ Season 2 Part 1

By Charles Hartford09/24/2023

Mushoku Tensei Season 2 Part 1 sees Rudeus struggle with personal problems as he is unexpectedly reunited with an old friend.

Destined With You Episodes 9-10 - But Why Tho TV

REVIEW: ‘Destined With You,’ Episodes 9-10

By Sarah Musnicky09/23/2023

Destined With You Episodes 9-10 goes backwards, retreading the hot/cold cycle that continues to plague the couple of the series.

Thousand-Year Blood War Episode 24 — But Why Tho Anime

REVIEW: ‘Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’ Episode 24 — “Too Early to Win, Too Late to Know”

By Adrian Ruiz09/23/2023

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Episode 24 unveils shocking truths and intense battles, reigniting excitement in the series.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2023 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.