The future of The Last Ronin's R-rated movie might not be as bleak as we thought! Despite earlier reports suggesting Paramount had shelved plans for a live-action adaptation, a glimmer of hope has emerged, directly from the co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles himself, Kevin Eastman.
It seems the "Roninverse" is far from over, with a brand-new prequel comic, The Last Ronin: Training Day, set to expand the universe this year. This exciting new chapter shines a spotlight back on Michelangelo, the sole survivor of the iconic turtle brothers. For those new to this darker corner of the TMNT saga, The Last Ronin revealed a grim future where Mikey was the last of his siblings standing. His journey was one of vengeance, set against a backdrop reminiscent of Frank Miller's gritty "The Dark Knight Returns," as he faced off against the grandson of Shredder, who had taken over the Foot Clan.
While Michelangelo's story in the original The Last Ronin concluded with his death, the narrative didn't end there. A subsequent comic series, The Last Ronin: The Lost Years, delved into his profound transformation and explored a future where a new generation of turtles – Odyn, Moja, Uno, and Yi – were being trained by Casey Marie Jones, the daughter of the legendary Casey Jones and April O'Neil. The story continued to unfold with The Last Ronin II: Re-Evolution, which sadly depicted April's demise, and now, with The Last Ronin III officially in development, The Last Ronin: Training Day promises to deepen our understanding of Mikey's bond with Casey Marie.
Kevin Eastman shared with Entertainment Weekly that during the creation of the original The Last Ronin, there were simply too many compelling stories and character moments that couldn't fit within the 200 pages available. "One of the ones was just having Michelangelo spend time with Casey Marie Jones," he explained, highlighting a story he felt deserved more exploration. Eastman elaborated on Mikey's perspective, noting how he "could see the spark and he could see the light and he could see the beauty in what Casey Marie Jones felt and wanted to believe in." He further revealed that Mikey aimed to draw from Splinter's teachings, channeling that wisdom into becoming a protector of the city, a role that the Turtles originally embodied.
But here's where it gets controversial... The news of this new comic comes shortly after we heard that Paramount Pictures had apparently scrapped their plans for an R-rated live-action The Last Ronin film. However, Eastman remains optimistic, stating, "I don't think the movie's off the table. I think it's just delayed." He expressed confidence in Viacom and Paramount's commitment to the Turtles franchise, citing their excellent work on various series and the recent "Mutant Mayhem" film. He believes the movie "will happen" and isn't discouraged by the current situation, acknowledging the passionate fan bases for both The Last Ronin and the "Mutant Mayhem" series.
It's worth remembering that back in November, it was announced that a new live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie was in the works, with Neal H. Moritz, a producer from The Fast and the Furious franchise, overseeing the project. The intention was reportedly to "Sonic-fy" the franchise, suggesting a similar approach to adapting the beloved characters for a modern audience. Earlier discussions had even involved director Ilya Naishuller for The Last Ronin, but reports indicated that the "new regime" at the studio wasn't keen on launching their first non-animated movie in a decade with a "bloody, adult-skewing story." Adding another layer of intrigue, it was also confirmed that Judith Hoag, who famously portrayed April O'Neil in the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, was in talks to reprise her role.
And this is the part most people miss... The original The Last Ronin movie was reportedly set within the same continuity as the beloved 1990s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film. This connection, if true, could have offered a fascinating bridge between different eras of the franchise.
The Last Ronin: Training Day is slated for release this July. What do you think about the potential for an R-rated The Last Ronin movie? Should the studio embrace a more mature take on the franchise, or do you prefer the more family-friendly approach seen in "Mutant Mayhem"? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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