Welcome back Stinkers! Paramount has recently blown fans away, with their recent presentation at CinemaCon. One of the many things they featured was the announcement of an R-rated, live action TMNT: The Last Ronin movie. Make sure after you finish my blog of ideas of the film, you go check out my Paramount CinemaCon recap.
Who is The Last Ronin?
If you haven’t read the comic book this movie is being adapted on, I would highly recommend you go check it out. I’ve just picked up a copy myself, and so far, it is really good. I say that because this blog will feature spoilers from the comic, you haven been warned.
The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, where New York is run by the Foot Clan. The Last Ronin is a turtle that has managed to survive, but not his brothers. That turtle is the loveable goofball, Michaelangelo. Michy is on his own and is set to end his family’s everlasting feud once and for all.
The Last Ronin in Development
Paramount didn’t reveal much else about the movie. I would say the announcement that we’re getting it is good enough. Like I said, the movie is going to be receiving an R rating and is going to be live action. The film is being written by Tyler Burton Smith (Boy Kills World, Child’s Play [2019]). and produced by Walter Hamada, the old head of DC studios.
The Last Ronin Video Game
Before I get into my concept of the movie, I would like to bring up the fact that there is a game adaptation in development. With the two adaptations being relatively close with each other, they are probably going to have a lot of similarities. I think the two are going to keep the same story beats from the comic and have the same sort of imagery. The video game could be a mix of TMNT, God of War, and Cyberpunk, while the movie could be, a suspenseful, drama, action thriller.
Where Could the Movie Go?
The first part of the story is already there for you. The first part is a mystery on who which turtle is left. Featuring that mystery of the movie could hold audiences on the edge of their seats for this turtle. There’s a panel in the comic where the Ronin is falling off of a high building, and I think if they do it well in the movie, you could get a sick, suspenseful action sequence, and you just got to hope he makes it. Some of the imagery in here is beautiful as well. There’s this other panel in here where they show the Ronin with his brothers’ weapons laid out, along with their bandanas. Again, it has to be done right. And if they feature a scene like that in the first part of the movie, then I think you could already get tears from the audience.
Michaelangelo’s Struggles
Michy faces the struggle of having lost his brother, and father. Now, you are able to interpret this in your own way, but Michy is able to communicate with his brothers, one way or another. In panels throughout the book, Michy can been seen talking to his brothers in a ghost form. When I was reading it, I thought they were just projections from Michy’s head. I saw someone point out that in the original 90s movies, Splinter was able to take a ghost like form as well. That leads me to the point people are trying to make, and whether it should be CGI, or practical.
CGI or Practical?
People have recently debated on whether the movie should have CGi turtles, or if they should have practical suits. I think they could possibly do a combination of both. I think to get The Last Ronin right, you need to make him CGI. You need to make him move like the Michael Bay turtles. I’ve seen people bring up the idea of this movie being a legacy sequel to the original live action films. I think that would be a great idea, because the main audience for this movie will be adults who grew up with the original movies. I think you could bring those practical effects into those flashback scenes we get throughout the film. By doing that you are able to keep the story just as emotional, and still get those nostalgia points up.
Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to read my blog! I honestly didn’t think Nickelodeon would go through with an R rated movie, but here we are. Make sure you go check out The Big Stinker Blog to get the latest coverage on movies, shows, and games. So, until next time stinkers. Bye bye!