It’s been over a year since audiences saw Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, the latest animated feature film of the TMNT franchise, produced by Nickelodeon Animation and Seth Rogen’s Point Grey Pictures. Needless to say, its unique style brought new life to the beloved property and was a smash hit. Unsurprisingly, a sequel is already underway. As fans wait in anticipation for new cinematic adventures for the Heroes in a Half Shell, they can enjoy Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a new 2D animated series that continues the the story from Mutant Mayhem. Ahead of the release of Tales of the TMNT, we had to chance to chat with producers Christopher Yost and Alan Wan as well as voice actors Micah Abbey (Donatello), Nicolas Cantu (Leonardo), and Brady Noon (Raphael).
Taimur Dar: It goes without saying this isn’t the first rodeo with the TMNT franchise for either of you. What’s been great about every TMNT show, and the franchise in general, is that each version is completely different from the one that came before. In the case of Tales of the TMNT, it’s a direct continuation of the animated feature film. Obviously, you had to be kept in the loop with what the film was doing in order to make this show. I’m guessing some things like Shredder and the Foot were off-limits. Was that the case and were there any other restrictions?
Christopher Yost: Not as many as you think. At the end of the day, Seth Rogen is the creator of Mutant Mayhem and the movie is fantastic, but he’s the co-producer of this show. We worked with him hand-in-hand all the way through. Giving up the toys, so to speak, we’ve had a lot of fun discussions [as well as] what’s the best story for these kids. Whatever they do in the next movie, and hopefully the next hundred movies, we’ll figure it out together. Our first story we had something different in mind. We wanted to tell a continuation of that universe but focus on the turtles individually to see what made them tick when they’re separated and on their own versus being together and a team. We’ve seen it a hundred times and we love it and we get back there eventually. But this is really trying to put a spotlight on the kids.
Dar: While Mutant Mayhem was CG animated, Tales of the TMNT is 2D animated. Alan, you’ve worked in both with the previous TMNT animated shows. What went into translating the style of the Mutant Mayhem film into 2D animation for Tales of the TMNT?
Alan Wan: The new Mutant Mayhem look is actually a very good springboard for us to dive into the show because it’s bit more raw. It resembled reality but not the most polished version. When we went into doing a 2D animated show, we’re carrying over some of that rougher edge. We’re doing it in 2D hand drawn so there’s a real human quality in it even though it’s done digitally. It’s hand drawn, not puppet animation. We’re utilizing some of the 2D traditional technique in terms of interpreting the animation. There’s a roughness to it and we’re embracing that instead of trying to polish it just like the movie.
Dar: It’s pretty impressive how many actors from Mutant Mayhem were able to reprise their roles for Tales of the TMNT. I just assumed actors who couldn’t reprise their roles would be replaced by a voice match. In the case of Splinter, you do something interesting by having him only speak in “vermin.” I’m guessing Jackie Chan wasn’t available but was it ever considered having another actor take on the role?
Yost: Jackie Chan did an incredible job in the movie. He’s phenomenal. We loved Jackie Chan and he’s a tough one to replace. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for this go-around. But we really wanted to honor what Jackie did in the movie and honor the story first and foremost. Think of this as a continuation of the love story between Splinter and Scumbug. We had a lot of fun with it too. Hopefully down the road his schedule will open up and the stars will align. But in this moment in time, we decided to do something fun and different versus just recast. Splinter is still a massive part of this story. He’s their dad and is always going to be in their lives. But yeah, he speaks a lot of vermin.
Dar: The TMNT franchise has no shortage of great characters, but I love it when new characters and concepts are added to the proverbial toy box. That’s been the case with pretty much every animated series. Tales of the TMNT will debut some new mutants such as Goldfin, Lee the Eel, and Mustang Sally. Can you discuss how you developed these characters?
Yost: One of the great joys of doing something like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is introducing new mutants. We weren’t not going to do that. Part of our season is introducing the East River Three. We’ve got tremendous actors lined up; Timothy Olyphant, Jillian Bell, Danny Trejo who portray these river mutants who present a unique challenge to the Ninja Turtles. What they want is really going to surprise people. And we have a lot of fun with it. It’s pretty fun to watch the turtles have to deal with a little hopping goldfish and an electric eel and a seahorse. It’s pretty boss. Honestly, it’s some of the best fight scenes I’ve ever seen. We could not be more jazzed to show the world these guys and girl.
Wan: I’ve done enough Turtles to say that the second arc is very different. It’s something that I enjoyed a lot.
Yost: The Mutanimals from the movie are coming over and we get to play with them quite a bit in the second arc. The mayhem continues, you could say.
Dar: The recording process for Mutant Mayhem was very unique in that they had all of you together in same room. That rarely happens for TV animation let alone movies. There’s definitely a magic to having all actors together. I’m tempted to assume for Tales of the TMNT they had you guys record solo.
Nicolas Cantu: You assume correct.
Brady Noon: You assume right on the money.
Dar: If that’s the case, did the experience together on Mutant Mayhem make up for not being able to record as an ensemble.
Nicolas Cantu: I can speak to that. Having so much time, we got very familiar bouncing off each other and playing with the dynamics of the characters. For me, when it was time to record alone, I almost imagined you guys in my head. There’s still the element of cutting each other off and spontaneity. But when you’re recording solo obviously you don’t get the same effect as in the same booth. But having all that time we spent together made the isolated moments feel familiar enough.
Dar: This is the first time teenagers have actually voiced the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I grew up watching the original cartoon way before any of you were born.
[Laughter]
Dar: I’d love to know if watching the Nickelodeon TMNT animated shows or any iterations of the franchise was part of your childhoods?
Micah Abbey: Definitely. I feel like it’s a big part of everyone’s childhood. Everyone has seen it in some way. Nickelodeon always talks about the merchandise. I feel like everybody’ seen a TMNT backpack or lunchbox. I grew up coming home and watching TMNT after school on TV and going to see the movie with my dad.
Noon: I grew up with the 2012 Nickelodeon animated series. I would come home after school every day and watch that. Raph and Leo have always been my favorite. There are photos of me in 4th grade dressed up as Raph. It’s kind of a full circle moment. I think everyone has a piece of TMNT in their life in some shape or form.
Cantu: I guess I had smaller pieces. I didn’t really watch the shows or movies. Of course, I was familiar with the characters seeing how big this franchise was. Being able to join it is an honor and a pleasure.
Dar: You’re all perfectly cast in each turtle. As I’ve discovered over the years, sometimes they’ll have actors audition for every turtle just to test them out. Was that the case for you or did audition specifically for your respective Ninja Turtle?
Abbey: I know I auditioned for Donnie. They were like, “Yeah, send him Mikey.” Now that I’m looking back at my old take versus what Shamon [Brown Jr.] does, I’m like, “Thank God they gave this to Shamon!” Shamon kills it every time. There’s a big difference between my take and Shamon’s take. I feel like we all fit our characters perfectly.
Cantu: I was going to say you fit Donatello perfectly. I originally auditioned for Donatello. It’s the same thing where I put in my tape and they said, “We want to see how you do Leo.” I gave that one and that’s the one that stuck for me. I’m very thankful that you got Donnie. You’re right, we’re all perfectly cast. You kill it as Raph.
Noon: Thank you. I had one audition. I was Raph the entire time.
Cantu: See! It was meant to be!
Noon: They had me as the angry guy since the beginning, I guess.
Cantu: What did you do in the auditions where they said, “He has to play the angry guy?” [Laughs].
Noon: I just yelled at them. [Laughs].
Dar: Great chatting with you. Can’t wait not only for the series but the movie sequel after the Shredder tease!
Abbey: We’re excited!
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premieres on Friday, August 9, exclusively on Paramount+
