MovieChat Forums > Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987) Discussion > TMNT cartoon for adults

TMNT cartoon for adults

posted 16 years ago by Nicksolo85
49 replies | jump to latest

Recently, I was in a conversation and we somehow brought up TMNT. I also heard about there possibly being a TMNT movie for adults coming out. I thought to myself, it would be awesome if they made a TMNT cartoon for adults.

Is there anyone else out there (besides me) who would like to see a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon that was meant for adult audiences?

This is what I think the show (at least the first season) should be like.... The turtles and Splinter live in their original sewer lair (at least for the first 2-4 seasons). The turtles should act just like the way they did in the newer cartoon (or at least close). I really don't care if the turtles have pupils or not (some think the TMNT look better with pupils, while others think they look better without them). But, I don't think this show (if it was ever made) should be as twisted as the adult Ren & Stimpy cartoon was. The characters in this cartoon should definetely swear and drink alcohol. This cartoon should be based on (but no 100% like) the old comic books and should be dark cartoon with a lot of action and (maybe) a little comedy in it.

If a show like this was to be made, it should air on any of these networks: Fox, TBS, TNT, USA, Cartoon Network (Adult Swim), FX or Spike TV

Here's what the characters should be like

*Leonardo: The leader (as he always was)
-mask color: Blue
-weapons: Twin Katanas

*Michelangelo: Basically the party dude and the goofy dumb ass of the group
-mask color: Orange
-weapons: Twin Nunchucks

*Donatello: Still the techno geek
-mask color: Purple
-weapon: Bo Staff

*Raphael: Still the angry short-tempered turtle of the group
-mask color: Red
-weapons: Sais

*Splinter: The wise sensei rat (as we all know was Hamato Yoshi's pet)
-robe color: either grey or tan
-weapon: Walking Stick

*April O'Neil: She could either be an assistant to Dr. Stockman (like in the newer cartoon) or she could be a news reporter (like in the classic cartoon and the live action movies). Either way, she owns and operates the 2nd Time Around antique store which could eventually get burned down by the foot

*Casey Jones: A vigilante who is hell bent on thwarting crime in New York City. Before he meets the turtles, he could just be beating the [beep] out of street punks (robbers, muggers and street gangs)
-weapons: Hockey Stick, 2 Baseball Bats and either a Golf Club or a Lacrosse Stick

*Oroku Saki/Shredder: In this one, Oroku Saki/Shredder should be human (not like in the newer cartoon where it turned out he was a little alien in a robotic body ) and still the leader of the foot clan.
-armor color: Dark red (like in the 90 movie) for the first season (and maybe a little of season 2) and then silver (like in the newer cartoon) for later on
-weapons: The blades on his armor and either a sword or spear

*Shredder's right hand man (name undecided): He could be like Hun (from the newer cartoon) who started out as a street gang member until he joined the foot, or he could be like Tatsu (from the 1990 TMNT movie and TMNTII) who was a ninja warrior.

*Dr. Stockman: He should be just like he was in the newer cartoon (of course with a few differences). (as before) He would build Mouser Robots for the Shredder or any other big villain. He himself could be a big villain (in some cases) and just be an ally to Shredder.

*Foot Ninjas: They should look similar to the ones in the 90 TMNT movie and TMNTII (of course make a few changes). They should be teenagers and maybe some could be young adults (like people in their early 20s)
weapons: Foot Ninjas could come armed with either 1 or two ninja swords, a bo staff, a battle axe, a bow and arrow or they could just come unarmed. Each individual Foot Ninja decides.

[–] tylerism1 9 years ago

I'd sign a petition for an adult-oriented series, either full animated or with a mix of live action and CGI characters like in the 2014 movie. I'd want the thing dark: visible blood, severed limbs and decapitations MUST be allowed.
-It should focus a lot on the backstory between Shredder and Splinter. April O'Neil doesn't even have to show up (regularly) until the end of the first season or the beginning of the second.
-I'd prefer Splinter to be a human this time around before he mutates into a rat so that there can be adequate room for revenge and rivalry. Even better, deviate from the norm and have Hamato Yoshi (Splinter) start from a criminal background so that he has something of a redemption arc.
-I don't mind there being a connection between April and the turtles or April and Splinter, just not both. If there is one I'd prefer it to be with April and Hamato Yoshi perhaps where either he saves or spares her life or she saves him when she probably shouldn't. Either way it needs to be gritty.
-The series should focus mostly on the Shredder and the Foot Clan, which should be something of a cross between the new movie and the 90-91' live action movies.
-The mutants (Bebop, Rocksteady, Tokka, Rahzar, others) can make an appearance but they shouldn't be made (all or some) by Shredder and they shouldn't initially be a part of the Foot Clan. The should be created either by accident, genetic experiments or both. The should form their own family, like the turtles and Splinter, yet they should dislike humanity and the turtles who value regular humans. I'm also open to female mutants, just no magic using female turtles.
-Krang and anything other-dimensional should also initially be separate from the Shredder and Foot Clan. Any alliance or collaboration should last for no more than two seasons and then be wrapped up almost entirely. It could be revisited later but it shouldn't be something that is ongoing like in the 87' cartoon. That focus went on a lot longer than it should have.

If there was some sort of kickstarter for a show like this I'd be all over it.

Ignoring "the hype" since 2008

[–] TalesfromTheCryptfan 8 years ago

Good idea.

Make it an adult animated thing like Spawn, Heavy Metal, Fantastic Planet, Aeon Flux, Wizards, Fire and Ice, American Pop, Ninja Scroll, Duckman, Akira, Ghost in The Shell, Princess Mononoke etc.? sounds good.

"Unicorn, mermaid, vampire,sorceress! No name you'd give her would surprise me i love whom i love"

[–] ItsEddieHaskellBeyotch 9 years ago

Its not necessary mainly because Turtles wasn't intended for adults even in its original incarnation. Yes, it was more serious and darker than the original cartoon but the conception was supposed to be a spoof on violent/serious/dark comics; the creators had no idea it would take off the way it did and the rest is history.

When theres no more room in Hollywood, remakes shall walk the Earth.

[–] tylerism1 9 years ago

True, it isn't necessary but I'd still love to see a genuine attempt to make an adult focused series. I loved the hell outta the original series back in my early teens but today I'm forced to admit it's rather poor. It's a great show for kids even today, just not so much for adults.

Ignoring "the hype" since 2008

[–] Times_Up 9 years ago

Its not necessary mainly because Turtles wasn't intended for adults even in its original incarnation. Yes, it was more serious and darker than the original cartoon but the conception was supposed to be a spoof on violent/serious/dark comics; the creators had no idea it would take off the way it did and the rest is history.

It's funny that is some people aren't stuck on the old cartoon, then they are stuck on those 1st few issues that parodied comic trends and eventually Star Wars. Those issues are not what gave that comic it's longevity. What did was when they stopped relying on pop culture schtick and gave the stories researched mythological roots. They have issues that delve into Norse mythology, different Native American myths and Japanese history and mysticism. All very researched as well.

The turtles are no more a campy 80s cartoon as they are Frank Miller or Star Wars or (insert 80s pop media) parody. Yes, that's a big part of the history, but they outgrew it fast only to be milked by the cartoon/toy line. If you want it to be more serious and supposedly more adult, then let it go. The 2007 film pushed away from the camp as much as possible but Imagi felt they needed to make the sequel more comedic, so Laird didn't agree to let it happen. People need to let it go. Even Frank Miller has become a parady of himself for the past almost 20 years now. He doesn't need the turtles to do it for him. They aren't the chipmunks for cryin out loud, they moved on by atleast issue 9 if not 4 depending on how you want to look at it. Let it go.

All good things must come to an end - Chaucer